Pediatric dentistry is the dental specialty focused on the
oral health and needs of young people. After completing
a four year dental school program, two to three years of
additional resident study and hands on experience prepares
pediatric dentists to meet the needs of infants, children,
adolescents, and persons with special health care needs.
People with significant medical, physical, or mental disabilities
often present unique challenges to dentists. Our experience
allows us to address their special needs and provide the
best care possible.
We focus on prevention, early detections and treatment
of dental disease, and keep current on the latest advances
in dentistry for children. The goal of this office is to
help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and
teach them how to care for their teeth. Our primary concern
is to make a pleasant dental visit for your child in a non-threatening
environment, and create a relationship of trust and confidence
that will last a lifetime.
The first primary or "baby tooth" usually appears
between 6-12 months of age. It is very important that primary
teeth are kept in place until they fall out naturally. Primary
or "baby teeth" are important to help children
learn to speak clearly and chew naturally. They also help
in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they
are ready to come in.
Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important
step on the road to teaching your child healthy life habits.
What dental problems could a baby have?
EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES (also known as
"baby bottle tooth decay" or nursing caries [cavities]")
is a very common dental problem. Do not nurse your child
to sleep or put them to bed with a bottle of milk, formula,
juice or sweetened liquid. While the baby sleeps, any unswallowed
liquid in the mouth supports bacteria that produce acids
and attack the teeth. Protect your child from severe tooth
decay by putting them to bed with nothing more than a pacifier
or water.
You should start cleaning your baby's teeth at birth. You
can clean your child's gums with a soft infant toothbrush
or cloth and water. Fluoride toothpaste should first be
introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. The child should
use a pea-sized amount on the brush and should be able to
spit out and not swallow any excess toothpaste after brushing.
Teething
From 6 months to age 3, your child may have tender gums
when teeth come in. Many children like a teething ring,
cold wet washcloths, rubbing the gums with a clean finger
or if necessary acetaminophen.
Children's Diet and Snacking
Try to make sure your child has a balanced diet. Limiting
the servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting
your child's teeth from decay. Sticky foods, such as fruit
roll ups, fruit snacks, dried fruit (including raisins)
toffee, gummi candy, etc. are not easily washed away from
the teeth by water or saliva. They have more cavity-causing
potential than foods more rapidly cleaned from the teeth.
Pacifier and Thumb Habits
Why do children like to suck on fingers,
pacifiers or other objects?
This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and
young children.
It provides security and comfort. It is a way to make contact
and learn about the world. Most children stop sucking thumbs
and pacifiers on their own between two and four years of
age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws. However, some
children continue to suck on a finger, pacifier or other
object over long periods of time. For these children, the
upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in
properly.
Thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking all affect the teeth
essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit is often
easier to break. When your child is old enough to understand
the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric
dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk
about what happens to the teeth if your child doesn't stop.
This advice, along with support from parents, helps most
children quit. If this approach doesn't work, your pediatric
dentist may recommend a mouth appliance that blocks the
sucking habits.
Dental Sealants
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the
teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where
most cavities in children are found. Even if your child
brushes and flosses carefully it is almost impossible to
clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain teeth. Food and
bacteria build up on these crevices, placing your child
in danger of tooth decay. Dental sealants "seal out"
food and plaque, which will reduce the risk of decay. Research
shows that sealants last for many years if properly cared
for. Therefore, your child will be protected throughout
the most cavity-prone years. If your child has good oral
hygiene and avoids "sticky foods", sealants will
last much longer. Your pediatric dentist will check the
sealants during routine dental visits and will recommend
re-application or repair when necessary.
The application of a sealant is fast and comfortable. It
takes only one visit. The tooth is first cleaned. It is
then conditioned and dried. The sealant is then applied
onto the grooves of the tooth and allowed to harden with
a special light. Your child will be able to eat right after
the appointment. The treatment is very affordable, especially
in view of the valuable decay protection if offers your
child.
The teeth most in need of sealants are the six-year and
twelve year molars. Many times the permanent premolars and
primary molars will also benefit from sealant coverage.
Any tooth with grooves or pits may benefit from the protection
of sealants. Talk to your pediatric dentist, as each child's
situation is unique.
Sealants together with brushing, flossing, balanced nutrition,
limited snacking, and regular dental visits are essential
to a bright, healthy smile.
Regular Dental Visits
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a
dental check-up at least twice a year for most children.
Some children need more frequent dental visits because of
increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or
poor oral hygiene.
The first check-up is usually between the ages of 2 1/2
and 3 years of age. If there is past history of dental problems
or something the parents are concerned about, they can be
seen at an earlier age. Regular dental visits help your
child stay cavity-free. Teeth cleaning remove debris that
build up on the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay.
Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel,
strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Hygiene instructions
improve your child's brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner
teeth and healthier gums.
Tooth decay isn't the only reason for a dental visit. The
pediatric dentist may identify orthodontic problems and
suggest treatment to guide the teeth as they emerge in the
mouth.
At your child's first dental check-up, the pediatric dentist
will review your child's medical and dental history. He
or she will gently examine your child's teeth, oral tissues,
and jaw. The teeth will be cleaned and polished, followed
by the application of fluoride solution. X-rays may be needed
to diagnose tooth decay or abnormalities. They may be needed
to survey incoming teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate
the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment.
X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat conditions that
cannot be detected during a clinical examination. Our x-rays
are performed in a way that is perfectly safe and poses
no risk to the children. Lead body aprons and shields help
protect your child during x-rays. Today's equipment filters
out unnecessary x-rays and restricts the x-ray beam to the
area of interest. High-speed film, digital x-rays and proper
shielding assure that your child receives a minimal amount
of radiation exposure. The dentist or hygienist will discuss
the need for x-rays with you before any are taken.
The new philosophy in dentistry is all about PREVENTION.
This includes:
Brushing
dental development
flossing
fluoride
oral habits
orthodontics
parent involvement
proper diet
sealants
sports safety
Preventive dentistry means a healthy smile for your child.
Children with healthy smiles chew more easily and gain more
nutrients from the foods they eat. They learn to speak more
quickly and clearly. They have a better chance of general
health, because disease in the mouth can endanger the rest
of the body. A healthy mouth is more attractive, giving
children confidence in their appearance. Finally, preventive
dentistry means less extensive and less expensive, treatment
for your child.
In addition to routine dental check-ups, there are certain
things that you can do to help ensure your children's dental
health, including:
Beware of frequent snacking
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
Floss once a day
Assure proper fluoride through drinking water or fluoride
vitamins
Emergency Care
OUR OFFICE HAS A PEDIATRIC DENTIST AND ORTHODONTIST ON CALL 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Please keep the emergency number available and convenient.
What should I do if my child's tooth is knocked out?
Generally, if it is a baby tooth, it cannot be placed back in the mouth since it may damage the permanent tooth bud that is developing. Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. If it is a permanent tooth- TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Find the tooth ASAP. Hold the tooth by the crown rather than the root tip and rinse it gently in cold water. DO NOT SCRUB IT! If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with a clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container of milk or saliva. Get to the pediatric dentist immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?
Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling. If there is a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture, you should go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.
Dental injuries can be prevented. First reduce oral injury in sports by wearing mouth guards. Soft plastic mouth guards can be used to protect a child's teeth, lips, cheeks, gums and tongue from injury. Increasingly, organized sports are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury to their athletes. Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard. So, choose a mouth guard that your child can wear comfortably. If it feels bulky or interferes with speech, it will be left in their sports bag!
