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Our Goal
It is our goal to create healthy smiles and teeth that are cavity-free. We achieve these goals through prevention and education. We always take the time to listen, respond and make our patients feel special at each appointment.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should be seen within their first year. Even though your child will not have all of his/her primary (baby) teeth in at this time, it is important for the pediatric dentist to examine your child's mouth to make sure that no problems exist or will be encountered. This visit is also aimed at educating parents and providing anticipatory guidance for the prevention of dental disease. After the first visit, your child will need to be seen at age 2 and then 3. After your child's visit at age 3, regular 6-month recall visits are encouraged.
Your Child's First Dental Visit
Your child should visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and his staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. Pediatric dental offices make a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
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.
Sealants:
Most frequently, caries occurs in the permanent molars, which come in about the age of six. The innate problem with these molars, is that they have naturally deep grooves, crevices or fissures that are not reachable by even a single toothbrush bristle. Some of these grooves are microscopic and once bacteria is lodged in these tiny areas, it makes for a nice, comfy area to grow and decay the tooth.
Sealants are products of dental research that studied this particular problem. They have proven to be effective in protecting the pits and fissures without harming the tooth enamel or making any changes in the oral cavity. Today, children are lucky to benefit from this wonderful tool of prevention.
Sealants are usually applied twice: once to the permanent first molars at age 6 to 7 and again to the permanent second molars at age 12 to 13. Teeth that have been selected for treatment are cleaned first. The sealant, in a liquid form, is then painted on the dry, clean tooth and cured with a bright light. As the sealant is hardening, it bonds to the enamel surface of the tooth and becomes a permanent barrier to decay. This method is simple and painless, and no drilling is necessary. With sealants, 45% to 60% of molar decay is prevented. In those cases, it is important to have them checked and repaired at regular six-month intervals.
Care of Sealants
Good oral hygiene and nutrition are very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.
Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy. This tends to fracture the sealant. Normal retention of a sealant is up to three to four years. Sealants that become displaced in the first twelve months will be replaced at no charge.
The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child's teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!
Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic
If your child has had local anesthetic for their dental procedure:
If the procedure was in the lower jaw... the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep. If the procedure was in the upper jaw the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
Care of the Mouth after Trauma
Please keep the traumatized area as-clean-as possible. A soft wash cloth often works well during healing to aid the process.
Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp).
If the swelling should re-occur, our office needs to see the patient as-soon-as possible. Ice should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.
Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the office so the patient can be seen as-soon-as possible.
Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.
If antibiotics or pain medicines are prescribed, be sure to follow the prescription as directed.
Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.
Care of the Mouth after Extractions
Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. The child should be watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off. Additionally, if the child falls asleep after the extraction make sure that the gauze is removed from his/her mouth.
Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.
Do not spit excessively.
Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.
Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes. This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat if necessary.
Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.
Pain - For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child. If a medicine was prescribed, then follow the directions on the bottle.
Please do not hesitate to contact the office if there are any questions.
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