Dentistry for Children

When Should My Child Start Using Mouthwash?

Erin — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:18:38 +0000

The use of fluoride mouthwash is recommended for children ages 7 and older, provided the child can perform the activity. Keep in mind that mouthwash is a rinse, not a beverage! One way to test if your child is ready for mouthwash is to fill a cup with a small amount of water, have them rinse and spit the water back out into the cup. If they were able to spit all the water back into the cup, they are ready to use mouthwash! You should also check the manufacturer’s label for precautions and discuss the use of mouth rinses with your child’s pediatric dentist. Regular use of a fluoride mouth rinse can provide additional protection against tooth decay.

What are Dental Sealants?

Erin — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 16:54:43 +0000

Dental Sealants are a thin plastic-like coating that fill in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth and protect them from tooth decay. Sealants are usually applied to permanent molars (back teeth) to prevent bacteria and food from getting stuck in the creases that naturally occur on these surfaces. It is best to apply sealants soon after the permanent molars erupt, before tooth decay has a chance to begin. The application process is easy and completely painless. Sealants are simply “painted” on a clean and dry tooth surface and then hardened with a special light. The protective coating is virtually invisible and is an important part of a child’s total preventive dental care. Once applied, a sealant can last as long as 5 -10 years.

Ditch the bottled water

Erin — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:30:04 +0000

Did you know that your bottled water habit could indirectly promote tooth decay? Of course bottled water doesn’t contain sugar or sneaky carbohydrates that turn into sugar, but it also doesn’t contain fluoride, the magical ingredient that strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. Like anything else, bottled water is fine in moderation – but children, especially, need good old fashioned tap water with fluoride for healthy teeth. Topical fluoride (applied to the outside of teeth), in toothpaste and professional treatments at the dentist office, does a good job preventing tooth decay, but the addition of systemic fluoride (ingested in tap water) completes the gold standard in cavity prevention. So the next time you grab a glass of water for your child, consider getting it straight from the sink or through a filtering system in your refrigerator. You will be helping your child’s oral health and doing something good for the environment.

Is Chewing Gum Healthy for my Child?

Erin — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 04:29:38 +0000

Chew away! Mom’s, don’t be too quick to say no when your child picks up a pack of gum in the grocery check-out isle. Studies show that chewing gum that contains Xylitol has health benefits. It helps salivary glands produce saliva, and saliva has important nutrients such as calcium, phosphate, and fluoride. These nutrients help with re-mineralizing the teeth, which helps prevent cavities. In fact, when Xylitol gum is chewed consistently for months, it actually reduces the amount of plaque on the teeth.

Mother’s with children from birth to two years old are recommended to chew Xylitol gum 3-5 times daily to prevent the transmission of Streptococcus Mutans from mother to child! This is a fragile age when the bacteria that cause cavities colonize the mouth, and the use of Xylitol can prevent the colonization of the cavity-causing bacteria and help prevent future dental problems for the child.

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

jennifer — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:07:21 +0000

Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of infants, toddlers, children and teens. After completing a four-year dental school curriculum, a pediatric dentist completes two to three more years of rigorous training to become a specialist. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of your infants, children and adolescents, including children with special needs.

Why should I take my child to a Pediatric Dentist?

jennifer — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:15 +0000

A pediatric dentist is uniquely qualified to treat a child who is having his or her first dental visit, treating early childhood caries and/or overcoming a negative experience in a previous dental or physician’s office.

Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of trust and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our goal is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teaching them how to care for their teeth. From our special office designs to our communication style, our main concern is what is best for your child.

Does my child need a mouth guard to play sports? What kind should I choose?

jennifer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:43:15 +0000

Yes! Mouth guards should be worn by both children and adults when playing any type of contact sports (football, hockey, boxing, etc.) and even in some non contact sports (softball, baseball, soccer, etc.) or recreational activities (skateboarding, mountain biking, etc.). The mouth guard will protect your child’s soft tissue, tongue and lips and reduce the risk chipping or breaking teeth during these activities.

Usually a mouth guard covers only the top teeth, but sometimes, a lower guard will also be needed when a dental appliance or braces are in place. There are several different kinds of mouth guards available, some can be purchased at a sporting goods store, while others must be professionally made. If you choose to purchase one a sporting goods store, we recommend a “boil and bite” guard (which is made of a thermoplastic material that when heated can be shaped around your child’s teeth) rather than a preformed, ready-to-wear guard that cannot be molded around your child’s teeth. The preformed mouth protectors are the least expensive, however they are bulky, make breathing difficult and provide very little protection. The best protection is provided by a custom fitted guard which is made at your dentist’s office or professional laboratory from an impression of your child’s mouth.

What should I do if my child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth?

jennifer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:40:48 +0000

Remain calm.
Locate the tooth and pick it up by the chewing surface (not the root).
If the tooth is not dirty or broken you should attempt to reinsert it into the empty socket.
If you can reinsert it, have your child hold it in place by biting on a clean cloth or piece of gauze and go directly to your pediatric dentist.
If you cannot reinsert it (or if the tooth is dirty or broken), put the tooth in a glass of milk and take your child (and the tooth) immediately to your pediatric dentist.

For more information on other common dental emergencies, keep calm and click here.

Night Grinding

jennifer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:37:46 +0000

Studies have shown that night grinding occurs, in one form or another, in most children. It is usually not a symptom of anxiety, or other emotional problems. Although the cause has not been established, night grinding is not problematic unless there are unusual wear patterns exhibited on the teeth. Unusual wear patterns may lead to a shift in the bite and /or TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder). As a preventative measure, your pediatric dentist can custom make a mouth guard for nighttime wear.

What is a topical fluoride treatment?

jennifer — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:35:57 +0000

A topical fluoride treatment is applied at the dentist office after your child has received a professional cleaning. Usually a fluoride gel or foam is placed in mouth shaped trays (affectionately known as duck trays) and inserted into the child’s mouth for her teeth to “soak” in for a few minutes. After fluoride application, we will ask your child not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow for optimum absorption. Fluoride can re-mineralize small imperfections in the tooth enamel by attracting calcium to the teeth. Fluoride can actually make teeth stronger! Years of research and use have proven fluoride to be a safe and effective means of fighting and preventing tooth decay.