FAQS
Chantilly, VA
How do I schedule an appointment?
You can make an appointment online at www.treehousekidsdentist.com or you're welcome to call our office at 571-723-4545 to schedule or manage your appointment.
If you are a new patient, we will send you patient forms to fill out electronically prior to your arrival. Please have your insurance card handy to enhance your experience with us!
What is your cancellation or rescheduling policy?
We request that you contact our office at least 24 hours prior to your appointment. Our team has kids as well, so we understand how schedules change quickly and we will do our best to accommodate your schedule!
Do you offer weekend or late appointments?
We're happy to offer evening hours. Call us at 571-723-4545 and our Office Concierge will help you find a time that fits your busy schedule. We are currently not open on the weekend, but please stay tuned for any changes. Our doctor is on-call for emergencies and is available to discuss your child’s dental needs 7 days a week.
What ages do pediatric dentists treat?
Dr. Yousaf is a board-certified pediatric dentist and specializes in treating babies, children, and teens up to age 18.
Where are you located?
We are located in the PNC Bank building at
3914 Centreville Rd, Suite 330,
Chantilly, VA 20151
What is your contact information?
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! We're happy to accept new patients and we're always excited to share our state-of-the-art facility with new and existing patients. We look forward to meeting you and your kiddo!
Is your office accessible to children with special needs?
Absolutely. Please let us know ahead of time if there are any special arrangements your child requires. We're happy to make any needed accommodations and have designed our office to be spacious and sensory friendly. We encourage parents with special children to drop by for an office tour before their appointment so we can all plan for the experience together!
General and pediatric dentists are qualified to diagnose and treat children's oral health concerns. However, choosing a board-certified pediatric dentist over a general dentist for your child ensures that they receive specialized care tailored to their unique dental needs. Pediatric dentists undergo additional training focused on child development, behavior management, and pediatric oral health. They are equipped to handle any concerns related to growing teeth, childhood habits, and the emotional aspects of dental care. Their offices are also designed to be child-friendly, helping ease anxiety and making dental visits a more positive experience for kids.
We request that a parent or guardian accompany any patient under 18 during dental visits. It's important to answer your questions, address your concerns, and discuss any findings and treatment plans with you and your child.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association, you should schedule your baby’s first dental visit within six months of their first tooth erupting or by their first birthday. Caring for your child’s oral health from the start sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles
If your child has a dental emergency, please give us a call at 571-723-4545. We'll do everything we can to provide a same-day appointment. If your child needs urgent dental care outside our office hours, please call our emergency number at the same number above for guidance. Although we are not open on the weekends, Dr. Yousaf is always on call and can discuss pain-reducing techniques and immediate next steps based on your kiddos dental needs.
A dental emergency is a situation requiring urgent care to relieve severe pain, treat an infection, save a tooth, or control bleeding. We invite you to call us right away if you feel your child requires urgent dental care. However, if your child experiences a life-threatening emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding or a fractured jaw, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
The best way to prepare for your child's first dental appointment is to maintain a positive, upbeat attitude. Your child will pick up on any apprehension or fear you have and react accordingly. Talk to your child enthusiastically about visiting the dentist, and take some time to share pictures of our office and staff on our website. The more excited you are about this important milestone, the more likely your child will follow suit.
Our office is designed to create a calm and welcoming environment for the kiddos. Parents often tell us their children talk about their experience well after their visit and are so excited for their next appointment. It might have to do with the prize room each kiddo gets to explore during their visit!
First dental visits are typically short and straightforward. We take the time to get to know you and your child in a warm, friendly environment. During the visit, Dr. Yousaf will evaluate your child’s oral health—checking the placement and condition of their teeth and looking for any potential issues with the gums or jaw. We’ll answer your questions, address any concerns, and provide guidance on caring for your child’s developing teeth. Our goal is to make the first visit so enjoyable that your child looks forward to returning, easing future appointments for you.
Children typically require dental exams and cleanings every six months. However, children at a higher risk of dental problems may require more frequent visits. Routine dental checkups enable us to monitor your child's development and rule out problems with the teeth, gums, bite, and jaw.
Regular dental visits allow us to remove plaque and tartar buildup, lowering the risk of tooth decay and cavities. They also reveal dental problems in their earliest stages, when they are easiest to treat. Your child will learn to value good oral health and understand that dental care is an integral component of one’s everyday routine.
Each child is unique with varying teething times. Generally, the first baby teeth to appear are the lower front teeth at around six months but can emerge as late as 12 months. In all, your child will have 20 primary teeth that should stay in place until around age six.
Teething is an important milestone for your child, but unfortunately, it isn't always a pleasant experience. Consider massaging your child's gums or offer a refrigerated - not frozen - pacifier or teething toy to soothe those sore gums. Teething infants love to chew, so you may want to offer a teething cracker after checking with your child's pediatrician. We do not recommend using topical anesthetics, which may be harmful to your child.
Even though your baby's primary teeth will eventually fall out, it's important to keep them healthy. They play an essential role in helping your child speak, chew, and smile properly. They also act as placeholders for the permanent teeth yet to erupt. If a primary tooth falls out too early due to decay or trauma, the nearby teeth can shift, leading to crooked adult teeth, overcrowding, and problems with the bite. Maintaining healthy baby teeth is important for your child’s oral health and development.
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or more colloquially as “cavity bugs”, is the most common chronic childhood disease, usually resulting from poor oral hygiene. If not treated, the decay can progress to the innermost portions of the tooth, affecting the pulp and nerves. Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits at home and keeping up with your child's routine dental checkups will lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
When sugary foods aren't cleaned off by regular brushing and flossing, cavity-causing bacteria feast on them and produce acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel, eating through it and creating holes called cavities.
Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque and prevents it from hardening to tartar. Flossing on a regular basis is also very important because it can clean places between the teeth that brushing may not reach. Make sure your child maintains a healthy, balanced diet and limits sugary drinks and beverages. Moreover, schedule regular dental visits every six months to allow us to monitor your child's oral health and provide treatment whenever necessary.
Early childhood decay, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, refers to cavities in children under age six. The first signs of ECC are typically white spots near the gum line. It is usually the result of frequent, prolonged exposure to foods and liquids high in sugar, including milk and juice. To prevent ECC, avoid putting your child in bed with a bottle of milk and juice and transition to a sippy cup by the first birthday. Moreover, make sure to clean your child's gums and teeth right from the start.
Even before your baby's first tooth erupts, it's important to clean the gums after feedings with a damp, clean washcloth. As soon as the first tooth erupts, you can start using water and a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. When you come in for your child's first dental visit, we'll show you how to care for your child's smile.
Using fluoride on children's teeth is a personal choice, as some parents prefer to avoid it due to concerns about overexposure or health beliefs. If a parent chooses not to use fluoride, maintaining good oral hygiene is still key. This includes brushing with a non-fluoride toothpaste, ensuring regular brushing at least twice a day, flossing, limiting sugary snacks, and scheduling routine dental check-ups. Regular visits to a dentist can help catch any issues early and provide additional guidance on maintaining healthy teeth without fluoride.
If parents choose to use fluoride, start introducing fluoridated toothpaste when your child’s teeth first erupt. For children under 3 years old, apply a smear layer and for children 3-6 years old grain-of-rice-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Once your child is older than 6 years old, you can increase this to a pea-sized amount. Supervise brushing until you are confident your child can brush thoroughly and responsibly, around age 7 or 8.
Your child's diet plays a vital role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Limit sugary treats and ensure your child consumes a balanced diet, including foods from the major food groups. These include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, cereal, bread, and dairy products. If your child wants a snack, offer a healthy option, such as cheese, nuts, raw vegetables, or fresh fruits.
Ready for your child's appointment?
At Treehouse Pediatric Dentistry of Chantilly, we're committed to making dental care a fun and stress-free experience, one your child will enjoy again and again! From the moment the first tooth emerges, we’re committed to laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy, radiant smiles. We invite you to schedule your child’s appointment to discover a new level of pediatric dental care!
