Let’s face it — taking your kids to the dentist isn’t always something to look forward to. Between juggling busy schedules, getting little ones to cooperate, and bracing for long wait times in a crowded waiting room, dental visits can feel like just another stressor on your to-do list.
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But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, at Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Andrew Zima and our experienced team have carefully designed a convenient and comfortable patient experience that may be different than what you’re accustomed to. Here’s how and why we do things differently…

We Put Families First
Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry isn’t one of those fast-paced, assembly-line-style practices where you’ll wait well past your appointment time — only to be whisked in and out before you’ve even had a chance to ask a question. We strive for calm, no-rush appointments delivered with a personal approach.
Because we’re a smaller, proudly independent practice, Dr. Zima and his staff get to know each child and parent personally, which means they can tailor check-ups and treatments to what works best for your family.

We even offer family appointments, so you can bring in all of your children at once. It’s just one of the ways we make dental care more manageable for moms and dads. Here’s what real patients have to say about their experience with Dr. Zima and the team:

• “My daughter was very anxious about the cleaning but the team was really sweet to her. She loved getting to see her X-rays and feels good about coming back in the future."
  — Amanda D.
  
  
• “Everyone here is so amazing and good with kids! My kids LIKE going to the dentist and the car-driving game is just the icing on top! I do not have to drag the kids in, they willing go skipping inside. We love Commonwealth Dentistry.”
  — Kelly L.
  
  
• "We've been going here for 3 years and have been very happy. My older two are autistic and all the staff members have been accommodating and kind. It's nice seeing the same faces every time and it's reassuring to know that they can provide other care as needed. Also love the new building!"

       — Noel E.
 
Locations That Makes Life Easier
Convenience isn’t just about the appointment itself — it’s about getting there, too. Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry’s two locations, in Midlothian / Chesterfield and Farmville, are both intentionally easy to find and get to. Our Midlothian / Chesterfield office, located at 6661 Lake Harbour Dr., is right off Hull Street Road (US-360) and just down the street from Route 288 and the Powhite Parkway (Route 76), Even better? It’s in the same shopping center as the Children’s Museum of Richmond’s (CMOR) Chesterfield location, so if you’ve got a few minutes before or after your appointment, it’s easy to turn the day into something fun. Dr Zima’s Farmville location recently relocated (and upgraded) to 1509 W. 3rd St., Suite 203. Only 2 miles from the previous location, the new digs offers great views of Wilck’s Lake and is around the corner from the Farmville Prince-Edward Community Library.
 
A Friendly Team Kids (and Parents) Can Count On
Dr. Zima has built a team that’s not only professional and skilled, but genuinely warm and welcoming. From the front desk to the hygienists, you’ll be greeted by familiar faces each visit, thanks to the practice’s high staff retention. For kids, this consistency makes a huge difference in helping them feel comfortable and relaxed.
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And if your child is a little nervous about seeing the dentist, don’t worry; Dr. Zima has a personable, reassuring way with children that helps make each visit feel less like a chore and more like a friendly check-in.
 
Finally, Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry’s services go above and beyond check-ups — and include onsite procedures from filling in cavities to more complex treatment.

​To schedule your first or next appointment with Dr. Zima and the Commonwealth Orthodontics team, reach out today.

​The distant sing-songy call of the ice cream man’s pearly white truck. Kids doodling on the thin sheen of yellow pollen cast on car windows and the front door. And that look in school-aged children’s eyes, when you can see them actively counting down the days until the final bell rings. While Spring is an exciting time for many, it can also present new challenges for maintaining good dental hygiene.
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Here are three easy tips to help keep your children’s smiles bright and healthy all season long:

1. Seasonal Treats? YES! In Moderation…
Spring yields an abundance of delicious, albeit sugary treats: the aforementioned ice cream, popsicles, Easter candy, and more. (Who remembers those 100% sugar Hugs “juice boxes” that resembled plastic barrels with tinfoil tops?) While these goodies are fun and festive, they can also contribute to cavities if not enjoyed in moderation. Encourage your child to balance sweet treats with healthy snacks including fresh fruits and cheese, which can help protect their teeth. When indulging, try to enjoy treats after meals and follow up with a glass of water to help rinse away sugar and acids. And, of course, make sure brushing and flossing remain a priority.

2. Don’t Take a Vacation from Brushing & Flossing
Spring Break travel can invite changes in routine. Add later sunsets, later bedtimes, and busy vacation schedules — and it can be easy to let brushing and flossing slip through the cracks. To keep up with healthy habits, be sure to pack a travel toothbrush and floss for your kiddos. Sticking to a consistent oral hygiene routine, even during vacation, helps prevent cavities and keeps kids’ smiles fresh and clean.

3. Don’t Skip Summer Dental Visits
As the school year wanes, schedules fill up with camps, sports, and family trips. Now is the perfect time to check in on your children’s dental appointments, ensuring they still work with your evolving plans. And if you haven’t scheduled their next checkup, take a moment to do so before the season’s activities and commitments take over. Regular dental visits are essential for catching small issues before they become bigger problems.
 
Spring is a season of fun, renewal, and unpredictability. Keeping up with solid dental habits will help ensure your kids’ smiles and overall oral hygiene stay bright all season long. If it’s time for a checkup, be sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Drew Zima and the team here at Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry.

Wishing you a happy and healthy spring filled with lots of smiles!

The holidays are a time for joy, family, laughter, and — let’s be honest — a ton of sugar. From candy canes to frosted cookies and yes, even sugar plums, there’s an endless assortment of sweets with seemingly everyone indulging. But how much is too much — especially on the heels of Halloween? And how can you counteract all the damage that a mountain of sugar can cause your kiddos’ dental hygiene? Let’s take a closer look…

Floss Like a Boss
We get it, getting kids to floss can feel like trying to herd reindeer. (Even adults often struggle to maintain a flossing routine.) But flossing is super important, especially during the holiday season, when sticky, sugary treats love to linger between teeth. To make flossing part of the nightly routine:

• Set a timer: Two minutes is all it takes to show those sugar bugs who’s boss.
• Use kid-friendly tools: Floss picks with fun colors or flavors can work wonders.

One more tip: if you participate in the Elf on the Shelf tradition, remind your little ones that flossing keeps teeth healthy—and off the naughty list. Maybe your Elf could even be caught in the act of flossing with some string between two marshmallows!

Sweet Tooth Season Without the Cavities
Holiday treats are everywhere: classroom parties, family gatherings, and even calendars that ensure we get a daily dose of sweetness. The goal isn’t to say no to every treat but to enjoy them wisely. Here’s how to help your kids have their cake (or gingerbread) and eat it, too — without sacrificing dental health:

• Schedule treat time: Encourage your kids to enjoy their sweets right after meals, when saliva production is higher to help rinse sugar away.
• Rinse and repeat: A quick rinse with water after treats can help wash away sticky residue.
• Stick to smart snacks: Add tooth-friendly options to the mix, including cheese, veggies, and fresh fruit. (Cheese cubes shaped like presents, anyone?)

Most importantly, don’t let the holiday hustle and bustle bump brushing and flossing off the to-do list.
 
From all of us at Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry, we hope your holidays are full of laughter, love, and healthy smiles. And remember: Dr. Drew Zima is here to keep your family’s teeth sparkling brighter than that one neighbor’s mammoth tacky lights display!

Happy Holidays!

Here in Central Virginia, the bell has rung on back-to-school season. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to ensure that oral hygiene fits in your family’s new routine. Here are some friendly tips and reminders to keep those little smiles bright and healthy all year long.

Pack a Healthy Lunch & Snacks
If you’re able to make a lunch for your kids during the school year — and we know it isn’t easy — here’s a little guidance. First, focus on fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, and celery. These crunchy snacks are not only delicious but also help clean teeth naturally. Swap out sugary drinks for water or white milk, which are better for teeth. If your child loves sweets, go for options including yogurt, applesauce, or even cheese sticks, which are not only tasty but also help strengthen teeth. Remember, foods high in sugar can lead to cavities, so try to limit those sugary treats to special occasions.
 
Brush Up Your Morning & Evening Routines
With the hustle and bustle of school mornings and evenings filled with homework and after-school activities, it’s easy for brushing and flossing to fall by the wayside. We get it (we have school-aged kids, too.) But creating a routine that includes brushing twice a day and flossing once is key to maintaining a healthy smile. Encourage your children to brush their teeth first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. If needed, stand beside them and help them ensure they’re brushing all their teeth and even gums. Make it fun by setting a timer for two minutes or playing their favorite song to brush along with. In the evenings, flossing should be part of the wind-down routine. If you establish these habits early on, they’ll become second nature for your child.

Scheduling Appointments Around School and Activities
School schedules can be busy, and it often takes a few weeks for us to get our lives smoothly revolving around them again. But don’t let that be a reason to skip dental appointments. Regular check-ups are crucial to catching any potential issues early and keeping your child’s teeth in tip-top shape. When planning appointments, consider your child’s school and activity schedule. Early morning or late afternoon slots may work best, allowing your child to miss minimal class time. Remember to book future appointments well in advance to avoid any scheduling conflicts. And if you’re reading this and realize that you booked an appointment during an inopportune time, simply reach out to our staff and we’ll be happy to reschedule you.

Let’s Do This!
By incorporating these healthy habits into your child’s daily routine, and being a bit forward thinking, you’re setting them up for a successful school year and a lifetime of healthy smiles. Remember, we’re here to help with any dental needs and questions you have. Let’s make this school year the best one yet — with smiles all around!
 
Happy Back to School!
Dr. Zima & the Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry Team

By Dr. Drew Zima
It happens more than you might imagine. A concerned parent and their child visit my office with what they believe is a dental emergency. The child is in pain; specifically, their gums are extremely sore and red. Eating is difficult for them. And sometimes, a number of other symptoms may accompany the gum pain, including:

• Headaches
• Mild fevers (Below 102F)
• Swelling, especially around the face and gums
• Ear pain
• Running nose
  
• Sore throat
  

As a father, I totally understand their concern. Not being able to relieve (or diagnose) our children’s pain is among the most helpless feelings there is. But I’m often able to treat these situations right over the phone, without even scheduling an appointment. It’s often as simple as checking the child’s age, and if they’re between the 6-to-7 or 11-to-13-year age range, the diagnosis is almost always the same: their permanent molars are coming in. (Here is a table where you can find the schedule for all primary and permanent teeth).

The technical term for molars (or any teeth) coming in is “erupting.” And while it may sound dramatic to state that your first or second permanent molars are erupting, it makes perfect sense if symptoms are severe. That’s because it can hurt, something we forget about as we get older.
 
The good news is that there are a number of things you can do as a parent to help make the pain and various symptoms associated with erupting molars a bit more tolerable for your kiddos.
 
Food is a big one. Try softer foods if chewing is painful, such as soups and smoothies. Chilled or frozen foods, including fruits and vegetables, can also provide some cooling relief. You might also consider some ibuprofen, especially if there is a fever or headache present. Be sure to check the back of the bottle for the proper dosage.
 
At the end of the day, I can’t promise that molar eruption is the cause of your child’s pain and suffering. But if they’re in those aforementioned age ranges, and have one of more of these symptoms, there is a good chance that when those molars break the surface, your child will start feeling normal again.
 
In the meantime, feel free to give me a call and we can always take a look...

Maybe you’re sitting down at the kitchen table sneaking in a second cup of coffee while your kids smile at you in between heaping bites of cereal. Or you catch a glimpse of their teeth while they’re raising a rec league soccer trophy.

Bu you notice that… something looks different. It’s their smile, with what appears to be stained or yellow teeth, and you’re likely wondering if this is a temporary situation or something to worry about.
 
Are New Permanents to Blame for Yellow Teeth?
Like other phenomena in dental hygiene, the cause for concern could in fact be something totally normal. In the case of spying stained or yellow teeth in your kids, when adult teeth begin erupting and replacing baby teeth around age 6 or 7, they naturally have a different appearance. In fact, they can look yellow — especially when compared to baby teeth side by side. You’ll also notice that adult teeth will brighten over time, losing their yellow tint.
 
Can Yellow Teeth Be a Sign of Something More Serious?
In short, yes. Stained or yellow teeth could be caused by a number of issues that likely require attention from your pediatric dentist, including:

• Poor dental hygiene: There are a number of foods and beverages — from soda to candy — that have the ability to stain your children’s teeth if they don’t develop a consistent, effect routine of daily brushing and flossing.
• Cavities: Yes, tooth decay and cavities can produce a yellowing or even brown coloring effect on your kids’ teeth. So, while the above hygiene tips still work, there’s probably a filling or two in your children’s future.
• Enamel issues: Thin enamel can also produce a yellow coloring in your kiddos’ teeth. But the source for that lack of hard white exterior could be chalked up to a couple different reasons. If it’s discovered your pint-sized patients have enamel issues, it’s a topic worth discussing with your pediatric dentist.

 
You want your kids to have bold, bright smiles. And when you see stained or yellow teeth, it can be a cause for concern — we totally understand. But even if there is an underlying health or hygiene issue responsible, we can still get your children started down the bright path. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

You made sure they brushed, flossed and avoided those icky, sticky candies and snacks.

OK, maybe you just did some of these things. Or none of these things. No matter, your kid’s dentist just broke the news that your child has a cavity.
You might be surprised. Your kid might be scared. But don’t worry. This is a pretty common scenario, and we do our best to lay out a plan of action that will put both your minds at easy.
 
1.  What to expect for the appointment.
In general, you’ll find an appointment to address a cavity is a much more positive experience than you might expect. And odds are, both you and your child will leave feeling proud at what they accomplished.  Leading up to the appointment, it is best to tell your child simply that they are getting a tooth fixed, but not to go into more details than necessary. Depending on your child's level of anxiety and amount of dental work that needs to be done, we may recommend using nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas). This works great to help decrease anxiety in most instances, with the patient remaining awake yet relaxed. It works quickly and leaves the body just as fast.

2. After the tooth is fixed.
Immediately after the appointment, the biggest thing to watch is to make sure your child does not bite or chew on their lip. Their lip will typically feel numb for one to three hours, and it is best to not eat until the numbing has worn off. Also, be sure to keep an eye on your little patient when you are driving home, as this is the most common time they chew their lip. You may or may not be prescribed pain killers, but it won’t hurt to give them Advil or Tylenol either way before the numbing wears off. That way there will be little to no soreness. And once the numbing wears off, they are free to eat and drink normally.

3.  How to help prevent another cavity.
Now that your kid has a filling or two, you want to make sure they don't get any more or get any cavities around these fillings. The best methods of preventive maintenance include brushing, flossing, fluoride, as well as minimizing sugar liquids and sticky foods (juice, soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, gummies, fruit snacks, etc). Regular flossing and brushing will clean the teeth and apply fluoride to them. Note that your kids should be brushing two times per day. At night, make sure that flossing and brushing is the last thing before bed, and that they don't have anything to eat or drink after brushing — not even rinsing the toothpaste foam. Just tell them to spit out whatever is in their mouth and head to bed. A fluoride rinse can help get in between the teeth, too. This allows the fluoride to do its work while you are sleeping.

Lastly, be sure to keep visiting the dentist for your regular check-ups to make sure all of the teeth and fillings are staying happy and healthy. As easy as treating a cavity can be on parents and kids, no one wants to repeat it anytime soon.

We consider ourselves super fortunate to be in the business of helping children smile brighter. But we’re just one of many businesses and organizations working together to make Chesterfield and Midlothian the best possible communities they can be. We love supporting the places that help us be at our best, whether they’re serving a delicious lunch or putting a smile on our own kids’ faces.
 
Now we can’t name every business that we love supporting around town, but we can give a special shout-out to a couple neighbors who regularly make a difference in our lives (and our patients’ lives).
 
The Midlo Meal Plan
Despite our great team chemistry and amazing patients, days can still get long if we don’t recharge for lunch. And similarly, some days call for a celebratory meal afterward. Here are a few of our favorite spots to grab a quick to-go lunch or sit down for some good team bonding:

• Vinny’s Italian Grill
  6737 Lake Harbour Dr.
  While the regional Italian chain has locations all over Virginia and even North Carolina, our eyes are on the location we can see from our office. For our money, you can’t find a better pie — and don’t sleep on our staff’s favorite, the Philly Steak Sub.
  
  
• Glory Days
  6151 Harbourside Centre Loop
  The nostalgic sports bar and restaurant serves up all the games, as well as solid wings, burgers, and a short rib grilled cheese we promise you won’t be bringing home in a leftover box.
  
  
• Raising Cane’s
  6921 Lake Harbour Dr.
  There’s something to say about the simple things in life. Here you know what you’re getting — golden delicious chicken tenders — with the only question being, how many? This new location down the street from the office is ultra-sleek, clean, and always has a long (but fast-moving) line outside the drive thru.

 
Other Favorite Spots:

• Gabe’s
  11003 Hull Street Rd N.
  Sure, Gabe’s has pretty much everything, from shoes to housewares. But they also have scrubs, which is huge for our staff.
  
  
• Children’s Museum of Richmond
  6629 Lake Harbour Dr.
  The Chesterfield CMOR location is a hop, skip, and a jump away from our office — literally. Watch your kiddos harvest produce, work as an auto mechanic, and complete the art project de jour. It’s a great reward after a cavity-free appointment (of course, we provide some pretty sweet rewards for our patients as well.)

 

• Uptown Alley Richmond
  6101 Brad McNeer Pkwy
  Toss a strike, play some arcade games, then grab some grub at this family fun center.
  
  
• Metro Richmond Zoo
  8300 Beaver Bridge Road
  You don’t need to drive all the way up to D.C. to see lions, tigers, and bears. Right down the road in Winterpock, our own backyard zoo boasts more than 2,000 animals, from penguins and zebras to giraffes and orangutans.

 
This isn’t an exhaustive list; we have plenty of other favorite local spots to eat, shop, and be merry (just ask us!). Of course, we hope that Commonwealth Pediatric Dentistry makes your list of favorite places in Chesterfield and Midlothian, too.

Tooth decay (“Tooth D.K.”). Gingivitis (“Ginger Bite-Us”). And tartar (“Tarter Terrible”).
 
These “Mouth Monsters” are no fun at any age, even if we give them funny names. And children, in particular, are particular vulnerable to this trio of maladies without the right dental hygiene habits in place.
 
But there’s some good news. Cavities can take months, even years to develop, according to our friends at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. And if you catch one of these nasties early on, there’s evidence that you can reverse damage done to your kiddos’ teeth and gums.
 
The AAPD goes one step further, offering actionable tips for children broken down by age group:

• 6 Months to Age 2

If your baby is given a bottle when going to sleep, use only water bottles containing any sugary liquids or carbohydrates — such as milk, formula or fruit juice — put teeth under attack from bacterial acid all night long.

• Ages 2 to 5

Remember to brush your child's teeth at least TWICE A DAY, once in the morning and once at night. The most important time to brush your child's teeth is RIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME.

• School-Age Children

When teeth are touching, it is time to BEGIN FLOSSING. Ask the pediatric dentist for tips on flossing your child's teeth. Make sure there are no leftovers in between your teeth!


Print out the poster and hang it in your room — right above the toothbrushes (and keep one in the snack drawer, too.)