|
To clean my baby's teeth, what should I use?
Toothbrushes remove plaque and bacteria that lead to decay. Use
any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, specifically designed
for infants, at least once a day at bedtime.
When should I take my child to the dentist for the first
check-up?
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a
pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than
his/her first birthday.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a
family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A
pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training
following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating
children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral
care providers for infants and children through adolescence,
including those with special health needs.
What should I do if my child has a toothache?
First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a
cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child
acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth
or gums. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible.
Are baby teeth really that important to my child?
Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not
only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they
also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they
are ready to erupt.
How can I prevent decay caused by nursing?
Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than
water in their bed-time bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush
and floss your child's teeth. Take your child to a pediatric dentist
regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental
visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday.
Are thumbsucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child's
teeth?
Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a
problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children
stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their
thumbs or fingers when the permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance
may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
How often does my child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent
cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist
can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on
their personal oral health.
How do dental sealants work?
Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces
of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in
the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable
and can effectively protect teeth for many years.
Toothpaste: when should we begin using it and how much should
we use?
Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3
years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child's teeth
with water and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used
after age 2-3, parents should supervise brushing and make sure the
child uses no more than a pea-sized amount on the brush. Children
should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.
How do I know if my child is getting enough fluoride?
Have your pediatric dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your
child's primary source of drinking water. If your child is not
getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the
fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water
without fluoride), then your pediatric dentist may prescribe
fluoride supplements.
What can I do to protect my child's teeth during sporting
events?
Soft plastic mouthguards can be used to protect a child's teeth,
lips, cheeks and gums from sport related injuries. A custom-fitted
mouthguard developed by a pediatric dentist will protect your child
from injuries to the teeth, face and even provide protection from
severe injuries to the head.
How do I make my child's diet safe for his teeth?
Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving
each of: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy
products, and meat fish and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars
and starches will also aid in protecting your child's teeth from
decay. You can also ask your pediatric dentist to help you select
foods that protect your children's teeth.
How safe are dental X-rays?
There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Pediatric dentists
are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which
children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to
ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.
What should I do if my child falls and knocks out a permanent
tooth?
The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then find the
tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to reinsert
it in the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass
of milk and take your child and the glass immediately to the
pediatric dentist.
How can parents help prevent tooth decay?
It's the parent's job to take their children to the dentist on a
regular basis, beginning when the first tooth erupts. The dentist
can recommend a specific program that consists of brushing,
flossing, and other treatments that include parental supervision and
teach the child to do it independently. When at home treatments are
added to regular dental visits along with a balanced diet, your
child will have a lifetime of healthy habits.
The pediatric dentist has an extra two years of specialized
training and is dedicated to the oral health of children from
infancy through the teenage years. The very young, pre-teens, and
teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their
behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping
them avoid future dental problems. The pediatric dentist is best
qualified to meet these needs.
How Do I Prepare My Child For The Dentist?
Our entire staff is dedicated to providing thorough and gentle
dental care. We strive to make dental treatment as pleasant as
possible. You can play a large part in preparing your child for
his/her first visit to the dentist. We would like to make a few
suggestions to prepare your youngster for the initial visit. First,
present the visit as an exciting experience for yourself and for
your child. Second, tell your child that we will "count", "brush",
and "take pictures" of their teeth. By explaining the exam and the
cleaning in these terms, your child will better understand the
situation. Try to act relaxed and at ease. Your child will probably
sense any anxiety on your part. Avoid negative phrases such as
"hurt", "drill", "pull" and "shot". This initial examination
involves nothing uncomfortable and should be perceived by the child
as non-threatening. It is our job to make this the most positive
experience possible.
Your Baby's First Appointment
We follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and
American Dental Association recommendations to see children around
their first birthday. This is especially important for your "first"
child so we can educate you about normal growth and development,
feeding and oral habits. At this visit, we will check your child's
oral cavity and provide you with oral hygiene instructions and
answer any questions. This infant appointment gives you and your
child the right start for years of positive dental care. Our goal
for your child is a lifetime of strong healthy teeth for a beautiful
smile.
Your Child's First "Official" Visit
Around age we have our First Official Appointment. We encourage
you to make this appointment in the morning when your child is
rested. You may want to leave siblings at home and make this a
special time for your child. The appointment begins when our new
patient coordinator greets you and your child in the reception area
and escorts you to a special room where we can get to know you both.
After reviewing your needs and questions, she will bring the doctor
into the room to meet you. While the doctor and you are talking, the
specially trained coordinator will take your child to get a
toothbrush and begin the visit.
Before any procedures are started, we show and tell your child
what we are going to do. We encourage their active participation in
the visit by asking questions about their school or daycare,
hobbies, friends or anything special they would like to share with
us. Parents are encouraged to "sneak a peek" during the visit -
seeing is believing! Mom and Dad are usually amazed how wonderful
their children listen and behave during their dental visit.
Occasionally, a child may cry during some part of the visit. This is
normal behavior and usually the child will work their way through it
with our compassionate coaxing.
Why Are The Primary Teeth So Important?
It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth.
Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which
affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby-teeth are
important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for
the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and
(3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.
Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an
attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years
of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until
age 10-13.
Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth
Children’s teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4
months, the first primary (or baby) teeth to erupt through the gums
are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper
central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by
age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies.
Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the
first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues
until approximately age 21.
Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including the third
molars (or wisdom teeth).
|