1 What is a Pediatric Dentist?
2 At what age should I bring my child to Crocodile Smiles?
3 Why are the primary teeth so important?
4 When do the teeth erupt?
5 How should I care for my baby's teeth?
6 What is the best toothpaste for my child?
7 Should my child use an electric toothbrush?
8 How do I prevent decay?
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1 What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric dentistry is a specialty within dentistry that focuses
on
the oral health and unique needs of young people. After completing
a four-year dental school curriculum, two to three additional years
of rigorous training is required to become a pediatric dentist.
This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares
pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of infants, children
and adolescents, including persons with special health care needs.
Yes, we want to see your child by their first birthday and to assist
them with a great transition to a general dentist in their mid-teenage
years! Seeing a specialized pediatric dentist will ensure that your
child receives the best possible care available.
We at Crocodile Smiles are concerned about your child's good oral
health as it is an integral component of total health. Establishing
us as your child's, "Dental Home" provides us the opportunity
to implement
preventive dental health habits that keep a child free from dental/oral
disease. We focus on prevention, early detection and treatment of
dental diseases, and keep current on the latest advances in dentistry
for children.
Pleasant visits to the dental office promote the establishment of
trust
and confidence in your child that will last a lifetime. Our goal,
along with our staff, is to help all children feel good about visiting
the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth. From our
special office design,
to our communication style, our main concern is what is best for
your child.
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2 At what age should I bring my child
2 to Crocodile
Smiles?
Children should have their first dental visit within six
months of the eruption of the first baby tooth and no later than
their first birthday.
This appointment is needed to assess your beginning risks of cavities,
establish a dental home, discuss nutrition, discuss hygiene practices
at home, injury prevention and if we find cavities or other problems,
these can be taken care of early before they become a bigger problem.
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3 Why are the primary teeth so important?
Primary, or "baby" teeth are very important for many
reasons.
They help your child speak clearly, chew their food properly,
add to an attractive appearance and aid in retaining space to
ensure the maximum space is available for the permanent teeth
(which decreases crowding).
Neglected cavities can and frequently lead to problems affecting
the developing permanent teeth and can also cause pain, infection
of the jaws and gums (which in extreme cases can be life threatening),
impairment of general health (your child isn't gaining weight or
avoiding food due to pain) and premature loss of teeth (which is
a major cause
of orthodontic problems).
Also, cavities tend to form in teeth that are next to other teeth
with unfilled cavities, because decay is really an infection and
will spread
if left untreated.
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4 When do the teeth erupt?
Primary (baby) teeth eruption sequence:
Coming Soon
Diagram showing ERUPTION & SHEDDING SEQUENCE of PRIMARY TEETH
Permanent teeth eruption sequence:
Coming Soon
Diagram showing ERUPTION SEQUENCE of Permnent Teeth
Even before teeth have erupted care of the mouth is important.
Children's teeth begin forming before birth. As early as four months,
the first primary "baby" teeth begin to erupt through
the gums.
Cleaning your baby's gums with a clean damp washcloth will help
in the teething process and get your child acquainted with the daily
routine.
As soon as the teeth erupt, begin using a soft bristled toothbrush
and cleanse your baby's gums and teeth to remove the harmful plaque
from their teeth.
Putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice can cause serious
and rapid tooth decay. These products contain sugar (lactose or
fructose) and because of the decrease in salivation when sleeping,
the bacteria
can utilize the sugar substrate and rapidly cause decay.
If your child will not fall asleep without the bottle, gradually
dilute the bottle with water over a two to three week period until
the bottle only contains water.
After each feeding, wipe your baby's mouth with a damp washcloth.
The easiest way to clean your baby's mouth is having the baby's
head
in your lap, dressing table or floor so that you can easily see
inside the baby's mouth.
Remember it is recommended that you see Crocodile Smiles by the
time your baby erupts their first tooth! Studies have shown a decrease
in cavities and a decrease in dental work if children are seen before
or at their first birthday and every six months for check ups.
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5 How should I care for my child's teeth?
Believe it! Your child may need to have their baby teeth flossed!!
If you can't see gum tissue all the way around every one of your
child's teeth . . . you need to floss their teeth!!
Daily brushing begins even before the teeth erupt. Once the teeth
erupt, brushing and flossing are to be incorporated as routine activities.
It is important for parents to understand that your child doesn't
have
the proper dexterity to brush correctly until they are around eight
years of age. Until then you must brush for them. If they insist,
allow them to have their turn before or after your time of brushing.
Don't forget that a professional cleaning and exam is extremely
important in the overall care of your child's teeth. Cavities treated
at a small stage of development can possibly be repaired with little
to no discomfort for your child.
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6 What is the best toothpaste for my child?
The toothpaste that your child requires depends on the ability
for your child to properly expectorate (spit) and not swallow
the pea-sized quantity.
If your child is not able to expectorate, then a non-fluoridated
toothpaste is required. Remember you the parent, will be brushing
the gums and newly erupted teeth for your child until they are
about eight
years of age!
After the child has learned to properly expectorate, then switch
to a fluoridated toothpaste with a flavor that your child enjoys.
Also, don't be afraid to try natural toothpastes found at health
food stores. Many are free of chemicals and preservatives and the
flavors
are quite refreshing.
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7 Should my child use an electric
toothbrush?
Some children, (and some adults) have longer brushing times and
better plaque removal with aid from the electric toothbrush.
It is really a matter of preference. If your child enjoys brushing
their
teeth with the electric toothbrush and the frequency of brushing
and duration of brushing is increased, that only makes the pediatric
dentist happier!
Keep in mind that the old standard soft bristle toothbrush
can effectively do the same job.
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8 How do I prevent decay?
It takes four things to form a cavity:
1) teeth, 2) bacteria, 3) a sugar source for the bacteria, and 4)
time.
Tooth decay is an infectious disease. According to the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services, students miss more that 51 million
school hours per year because of dental problems or related conditions.
Dental pain can distract students, cause their schoolwork to suffer
or even lead to school absences. Children and adolescents with healthy
teeth have better attendance, are more attentive in class and tend
to participate more fully in school-related activities.
To prevent tooth disease, watch your child's intake of sugars, snacks
and what they drink. Mealtimes are the appropriate times for milks
and juices, theses drinks should not be offered throughout the day.
Milk contains lactose, a sugar, and juices contain fructose, another
form
of sugar. These sugars will feed the bacteria and allow the bacteria
to grow and deposit acid on your child's teeth. This acid breaks
down
the tooth structure and causes a pit or cavity on the tooth.
If you are not brushing effectively or flossing appropriately, then
the plaque is remaining on the teeth and again, the bacteria is
able to
deposit acid.
So, remember, offer water or sugar-free drinks throughout the day.
Snack on good foods with actual nutritional content, not empty caloric
snacks that only hype up your child and leave sugar on their teeth.
Brush and floss your child's teeth at least twice a day.
To be really effective, brush after every snack and every meal.
Most importantly, have your child's teeth cleaned
professionally
and checked every six months by your favorite pediatric dentist
here at Crocodile Smiles!
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