One of the most common things parents say in a pediatric dental office is some version of: “My mom always told me she had the same thing and it sorted itself out.” It’s a reasonable instinct. Children’s bodies are constantly developing, and there are absolutely dental situations where watchful waiting is the right call. But there are others — more than most parents realize — where delay makes the outcome meaningfully worse.
The tricky part is knowing which is which. And that’s not something a parent can reliably judge without clinical expertise and regular monitoring.
Families across the White Mountain region looking for clear, honest answers about their child’s dental development will find that approach at Around the Mountain for Pediatric Dentistry in Lakeside. The practice was founded specifically to serve infants, children, and adolescents in this part of Arizona, with a team of Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists who understand that every child develops differently — and that treating them the same way doesn’t serve any of them well.
The Problems That Often Resolve on Their Own
Let’s start with the genuinely good news: several common childhood dental concerns do tend to improve without clinical intervention, provided the underlying conditions are favorable.
Slight crowding in the early mixed dentition stage. When a child’s permanent teeth are just starting to come in — typically between ages six and eight — mild crowding is extremely common and doesn’t always indicate a long-term problem. As more permanent teeth erupt and the jaw continues to grow, spacing can improve naturally. The dentist’s job at this stage is to monitor the pattern, not automatically refer to an orthodontist.
Minor thumb-sucking effects before age four. Non-nutritive sucking is developmentally normal for infants and toddlers. Most children stop on their own, and the minor dental changes associated with early thumb-sucking (slight forward positioning of the front teeth, for example) tend to self-correct after the habit stops — provided it ends before permanent teeth begin erupting. The concern arises when the habit continues beyond age four or five.
Normal spacing between primary teeth. Gaps between baby teeth often alarm parents, but they’re typically a good sign. Spacing in the primary dentition creates room for the larger permanent teeth to erupt. A child with well-spaced baby teeth is less likely to face crowding when the permanent teeth arrive.
Teething discomfort and early sensitivity. The discomfort and fussiness associated with erupting teeth — whether primary or permanent — is temporary by definition and resolves as each tooth fully comes in.
The Problems That Genuinely Require Early Action
Now for the more important part: the situations where a “let’s wait and see” approach carries real risk.
Early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay). This is one of the most common and most underestimated dental conditions affecting young children in Arizona. Decay in primary teeth doesn’t just affect baby teeth — it can damage the developing permanent teeth beneath them, cause infections that affect overall health, and create significant pain that interferes with eating, sleeping, and speaking. The idea that baby teeth “don’t matter because they’ll fall out anyway” is one of the most persistent and harmful misconceptions in pediatric dental health. Primary teeth hold space for permanent teeth and support jaw development. Decay left untreated doesn’t resolve — it progresses.
Around the Mountain Pediatric Dentistry uses Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF), an FDA-approved treatment that can arrest active decay with minimal intervention — a meaningful option for young or anxious patients who can’t tolerate traditional drilling.
Crossbites and significant bite issues. A crossbite — where the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth — does not self-correct. In fact, it tends to worsen as the jaw grows and can cause asymmetric jaw development, TMJ issues, and tooth wear that becomes increasingly difficult to address. Early orthodontic intervention for crossbites is one of the few situations in pediatric dentistry where the evidence clearly supports acting early rather than waiting.
Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use past age four. Once permanent teeth begin erupting, non-nutritive sucking habits can cause lasting changes to jaw structure and tooth alignment that require active treatment to correct. The longer the habit continues into permanent dentition, the more significant — and expensive — the correction.
Mouth breathing. Chronic mouth breathing, often related to enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or nasal congestion, affects how the jaw grows and how teeth erupt. Children who habitually breathe through their mouths often develop narrower upper arches and more crowding than their nose-breathing peers. Pediatric dentists are often the first clinicians to identify this pattern and can coordinate with a child’s pediatrician or ENT for appropriate follow-up.
Teeth grinding in young children with symptoms. Most young children go through phases of bruxism, and many resolve without consequence. However, grinding that causes noticeable wear, jaw pain, or sleep disruption warrants evaluation. The distinction between normal developmental grinding and clinically significant bruxism is not one that parents can make at home.
The White Mountain Context: Why Access to Specialist Care Matters Here
Pinetop-Lakeside and the surrounding White Mountain communities are a long way from the Phoenix metro area and its concentration of pediatric dental specialists. For families in Show Low, Snowflake, Heber, Overgaard, and across Navajo and Apache Counties, having Board-Certified Pediatric Dentists within the region — rather than a two-hour drive away — means the difference between getting a child seen promptly and delaying care because the logistics are too difficult.
Around the Mountain Pediatric Dentistry was established specifically to fill that gap. The Lakeside office serves families throughout the White Mountains who deserve the same level of specialized pediatric dental care available in larger Arizona cities, delivered in a kid-friendly environment where children are comfortable.
The practice also offers in-office general anesthesia under the supervision of a licensed Anesthesiologist or Dental Anesthesiologist — a significant capability for very young children, children with special healthcare needs, or cases where the extent of necessary treatment makes conscious care impractical. This level of care is typically only available at hospital-affiliated practices, and having it available locally is genuinely important to White Mountain families.
For dental emergencies, the practice maintains a dedicated emergency phone system that pages the dentist directly until the message is heard — because, as the team recognizes, emergencies don’t wait for office hours, and parents shouldn’t have to.
When to Book and Why Sooner Is Almost Always Better
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend a child’s first dental visit by age one. Not at age three. Not when they start school. Age one. The reason is that by the time obvious problems are visible, they’ve usually been developing for longer than parents realize. Early visits are about establishing a relationship, monitoring development, and intervening at the earliest possible stage — when treatment is almost always simpler and less stressful for everyone.
Schedule an Appointment → Visit aroundthemountaindental.com to request an appointment at the Lakeside office.
Call the Lakeside Office → (928) 251-4056
Visit the Lakeside Office → 4720 W. Maverick Lane, Suite 102, Lakeside, AZ 85929
Office Hours → Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Mountain Pediatric Dentistry proudly serves children and families from Lakeside, Pinetop, Show Low, Snowflake, Heber, Overgaard, Eager, Springerville, and throughout Navajo and Apache Counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my child’s dental issue will resolve on its own or needs treatment?
The honest answer is that this is genuinely difficult to assess without a clinical evaluation. The factors that determine whether a problem is self-limiting — stage of dental development, severity, jaw growth pattern, habits — require an examination and sometimes imaging to evaluate accurately. If something concerns you, the safest approach is to have it looked at. A good pediatric dentist will clearly tell you whether to watch and wait or act.
My child is three and still uses a pacifier. How worried should I be?
The key threshold is age four to five, when permanent teeth begin to appear. If the habit ends before then, most minor dental effects self-correct. If it continues past that point, the risk of lasting structural changes increases. Now is a good time to have a conversation with your child’s pediatric dentist about strategies to help phase it out.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride, and why would it be used for my child?
SDF is an FDA-approved liquid that is applied directly to a cavity to stop its progression. It’s minimally invasive, doesn’t require drilling or anesthesia, and is particularly useful for very young children, anxious patients, or cases where multiple teeth are affected. It does leave a dark stain on treated decay, which parents should know about — but for the right patient, it’s an extremely valuable tool.
When should my child first see a pediatric dentist?
The AAPD, ADA, and AAP all recommend the first visit by age one, or within six months of the first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. Starting this early means problems are caught at their earliest, most manageable stage, and children build familiarity with the dental environment before any anxiety has a chance to develop.
Does Around the Mountain Pediatric Dentistry accept insurance?
Yes. The Lakeside office accepts several insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Ambetter, UnitedHealthcare, Care1st, GEHA, Health Choice Arizona, and others. Call the office at (928) 251-4056 to verify your specific coverage before your first visit.
What if my child needs treatment, but they’re too anxious or too young to cooperate?
Round Mountain Pediatric Dentistry offers in-office general anesthesia under the care of a licensed Anesthesiologist or Dental Anesthesiologist — a level of care not typically available in a community the size of Lakeside. This allows necessary dental work to be completed safely and comfortably for children who cannot cooperate with conscious treatment.
What areas does the Lakeside office serve?
The practice serves children and families from Lakeside, Pinetop, Show Low, Snowflake, Heber, Overgaard, Eager, Springerville, and surrounding communities throughout the White Mountain region of Arizona.