Kids dentistry
Proper care for your teeth needs to be learned at an early age. Make sure to bring them in when they have their full set of baby teeth (usually between 2-3 yrs old) just so we can have a look and make sure everything is growing and being taken care of properly.
We will do our best to ensure your little one will enjoy their dental trips with the friendly doctor and staff here while they are taught to maintain a healthy smile.
FAQ
If your child chips or knocks out a tooth, it is important to act quickly to prevent further damage and increase the chances of saving the tooth. Here are some steps you should take:
Assess the damage: If the tooth is chipped or cracked, try to locate any pieces that may have come off and bring them to the dentist. If the tooth is knocked out, try to find it and handle it carefully by the crown, not the root.
Control bleeding: If there is bleeding, apply a clean, damp cloth or gauze to the affected area and apply gentle pressure for 10-15 minutes until the bleeding stops.
Protect the tooth: If the tooth is knocked out, try to re-implant it and hold it in place until you can get to the dentist. If this is not possible, place the tooth in a container of milk.
If milk is not available, ask your child to express saliva (spit) into a clean container (some blood in the saliva is fine) and store the tooth in the saliva.
Contact the dentist: Call your child’s dentist right away and explain what happened. They will give you further instructions and may ask you to bring your child in for an emergency appointment.
All your big chewing teeth (the molars) have grooves and fissures in the biting surface. In some people these can be quite deep and will easily trap food and plaque that your toothbrush can’t clean out. Over time, this will lead to dental decay. To prevent this, your dentist will place a resin sealant to fill up these grooves and fissures, stopping food and plaque gathering there in the first place.
Dental sealants are particularly effective for children because their teeth tend to have much deeper fissures and grooves. Children also tend to enjoy their sweets a lot more frequently and are thus more vulnerable to cavities.
Sealants are a safe and effective way to prevent cavities, and studies have shown that they can reduce the risk of cavities by up to 80% in the first two years after application. Sealants can last for several years and can be reapplied as needed. Best of all they doesn’t require any drilling!
Overall, dental sealants are a valuable tool in protecting your child’s teeth from cavities and maintaining good oral health. If you are interested in having your child’s teeth sealed, talk to your child’s dentist at their next appointment to see if they are a good candidate for sealants.
Baby bottle tooth decay, also known as early childhood caries, is a type of dental decay that can affect infants and young children. It occurs when a baby’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids, such as formula, milk, fruit juice, and sweetened drinks, for long periods of time, such as when a baby falls asleep with a bottle in their mouth.
When bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars from these liquids, they produce acids that can attack the teeth, causing decay. Baby bottle tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss in young children.
The good news is that baby bottle tooth decay is preventable. Here are some steps you can take to help prevent it:
- Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of sugary liquid. If your baby needs a bottle to fall asleep, fill it with water instead.
- Limit your child’s intake of sugary liquids, and encourage them to drink from a cup as soon as they are able to.
- Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they appear, using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Once your child is old enough to spit out toothpaste, you can start using a fluoride toothpaste.
- Take your child to the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, starting at around age 1.
By following these steps, you can help protect your child’s teeth from baby bottle tooth decay and promote good oral health for life.