You pay at the time of your visit, and we’ll file your insurance claim for you — your insurance will reimburse you directly based on your plan’s coverage.
Our membership plans make it easy to prioritize your child’s oral health and overall wellness without the stress of insurance limitations or unexpected costs.
We’ll always provide detailed treatment estimates and work with you to find payment solutions that fit your family’s budget and healthcare goals.
What your child eats shapes far more than their bodies. Every bite sends signals to developing teeth, growing jawbones, and the soft tissues that support lifelong oral health. When diet and oral development are treated as a connected system, the results can be transformative.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, we take that connection seriously, weaving nutritional counseling into every visit as a core pillar of our preventive dentistry approach. Families in Castle Hills and the greater San Antonio area trust us to look at the whole child, not just their teeth, and to give parents choices and information that help them make the best decisions.
Written by Dr. Christi Wengler
Nutrition affects oral health at a biological level that most dental visits never address. The minerals children consume build and maintain enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The sugars and acids they are exposed to in various foods and drinks erode it away. The timing of meals, the consistency of foods, and the nutrient density all influence whether a child’s teeth and jaw develop as they should.
According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, frequent consumption of fermentable carbohydrates and simple sugars is directly associated with an increased risk of dental caries in children, underscoring how powerfully the diet influences long-term oral outcomes. Understanding this link is the first step toward preventing problems before they ever have a chance to begin.
Many dental offices hand families a pamphlet about limiting candy and call it nutrition education. Our approach goes much deeper, and that depth starts with our founder’s credentials.
Dr. Christi Wengler holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences, and that academic foundation informs every dietary conversation we have with families. As a board-certified pediatric dentist, a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a Certified Lactation Counselor, she understands that oral health does not begin in the mouth. It begins with what a child is fed from their earliest days. Our holistic pediatric dentistry philosophy reflects that connection, linking what goes on a plate to what happens to your child’s smile over time.
When you come in for a new patient exam, nutritional counseling is not an afterthought. We ask thoughtful questions about your child’s diet, snacking patterns, beverage choices, and mealtime habits. We discuss nutrient-dense foods that support enamel remineralization, jaw development, and gum health.
We also talk about what to limit and why, always from an educational standpoint rather than a prescriptive one. You deserve to know the reasoning behind every recommendation we make. Here are some of the dietary areas we commonly explore with families:
Every family leaves with practical, actionable guidance they can apply at home, not a list of rules they cannot follow. This allows parents to have choices and control over their child’s healthcare.
Nutrition does not just influence cavities. It shapes the physical structures of the mouth. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients during critical growth windows support proper jaw widening, tooth eruption, and facial development.
Research increasingly supports the idea that most jaw growth happens before age six, which means early nutritional guidance can have a major impact on airway health, breathing patterns, and even sleep quality. As an airway-focused practice, we connect what your child eats to how they breathe, grow, and rest. Our airway orthodontics services complement this work by addressing structural concerns that nutritional support alone cannot resolve.
Castle Hills families choose us because we treat their children as complete human beings, not a set of teeth to be cleaned and filled. We are San Antonio’s first holistic pediatric dental practice, and that distinction reflects a genuine commitment to care that is transparent, education-forward, and built around long-term wellness.
We use fluoride-free products when possible, recommend biocompatible materials, and always present treatment options with full transparency about what they involve. We are out-of-network by choice, which allows us to spend the time needed to truly understand each child and family we serve.
Experience the difference that holistic pediatric care can make for your child. Our comprehensive approach combines gentle techniques with transparent communication to create positive dental experiences that last a lifetime. We’re here to partner with you in supporting your child’s overall health and development through expert oral care.
From fluoride-free alternatives to airway-focused orthodontics, we offer the choices and expertise your family deserves. Schedule your consultation today and discover how our unique approach can benefit your child’s health and wellness journey.
Giving your child the right nutritional foundation is one of the most powerful investments you can make in their oral health and overall wellness. Our team is here to be your partner in that work, bringing together pediatric dental training, nutritional science credentials, and a genuine passion for raising healthy kids. Dr. Wengler and the entire team at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway are ready to meet your family where you are and help you build a plan that fits your values and your child’s needs.
Families in Castle Hills and the greater San Antonio area are welcome to reach out and schedule a visit at any time. Whether you are a new patient exploring holistic pediatric dental care or a returning family looking to deepen your child’s wellness routine, we are honored to be part of your long-term health journey.
