Pediatric Dental Services

How important is a child's diet in the prevention of cavities?
While good oral hygiene is of utmost importance in the prevention of cavities, lack of a proper diet can have a tremendous impact on a child’s cavity rate. Limit not only the quantity of consumed sugary foods and beverages, but also the frequency throughout the day. Cavity formation is a process when sugar comes in contact with teeth, the cavity process can begin. The more times in a day that we consume sugar, the more at risk we are for developing cavities. By nature, many children like to snack throughout the day and many of these foods, including juices, are loaded with sugar. Even some” healthy” foods can be very high in sugar content, including, granola bars, cereal, and chocolate milk. Check the nutritional label if you are uncertain as to how much sugar a food item contains. Have your child drink plenty of water following snaking.

Do you allow parents to come back with their children?
Parents are invited back to accompany their child during the initial examination and during any treatment your child may receive. Parents are always allowed to accompany any child three years of age or younger. We do encourage parents, however, to allow children to enter the treatment area alone if we think your child will behave better and have a more positive experience. Please let our receptionist know if you request special accommodations. If your child needs to be sedated for treatment or needs hospital dentistry care under general anesthesia, parents are asked not to accompany their child. There are no exceptions to this rule.

What do I do if my child has a dental emergency?
If your child has a dental emergency during office ours, please call our office as soon as possible. We will see your child immediately. If it is an after-hours emergency, a pager number will be given on the answering machine. If you are unable to reach a member of our team, proceed to the emergency room to ensure treatment in a timely manner. If your child lost consciousness related to the injury call 911.
Treating a permanent tooth that has been “knocked out” within the first few minutes is critical for the survival of that tooth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, gently rinse, but do not scrub the tooth under water. Replace the tooth in the socket if possible. If this is impossible, place the tooth in a glass of milk or a clean wet cloth and come to the office immediately. If the tooth is fractured, please bring in any pieces you can find. If a baby tooth is knocked out, we do not recommend putting the tooth back in the mouth. Our normal schedule may be delayed in order to accommodate an injured child. Please accept our apologies in advance should an emergency occur during your child's appointment.

When should bottle-feeding be stopped?
Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
**Compliments of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush and water. Remember that most small children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. Unless your child’s pediatric dentist advises it, do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 2-3.

How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?
Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle. At-will nighttime breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. When juice is offered, it should be in a cup.
**Compliments of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

How does thumb sucking affect dental health?
Generally, thumb sucking before the age of two is normal and harmless. When thumb sucking is not stopped by the appropriate age (generally by the age of two or three), then parents should discourage the act. Prolonged thumb sucking may contribute to crowded and/or crooked teeth development, bite problems, and a constricted airway.

Why do children lose their baby teeth?     
A baby tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose a baby tooth too soon. A tooth might be knocked out accidentally or removed because of dental disease. When a tooth is lost too early, your pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer to prevent future space loss and dental problems.
** Compliments of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Why all the fuss? Baby teeth fall out eventually on their own!
Baby teeth are important to your child's present and future dental health. They encourage normal development of the jawbones and muscles. They save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. Remember: Some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 or 14 years old.
**Compliments of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

In addition, it is very important to establish good oral hygiene habits while your child has their baby teeth. These habits: brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and using mouthwash are the habits that your child is going to continue when their permanent teeth erupt.

How does a lost baby tooth cause problems for permanent teeth?
If a baby tooth is lost too soon, the teeth beside it may tilt or drift into the empty space. Teeth in the other jaw may move up or down to fill the gap. When adjacent teeth shift into the empty space, they create a lack of space in the jaw for the permanent teeth. So, permanent teeth are crowded and come in crooked. If left untreated, the condition may require extensive orthodontic treatment.
**Compliments of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?
When your child needs urgent dental treatment, contact our office as soon as possible.
 

If it is a permanent tooth try to find the tooth and/or missing pieces of that tooth to bring to our office. Rinse it gently in cool water if there is debris on it. DO NOT SCRUB IT OR CLEAN IT WITH ANY TYPE OF SOAP!
 

If your child allows you to do so please try to replace the tooth in their socket and hold it there. You can use clean gauze or a washcloth for them to bite on if necessary.
 

If you can't put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water.
Get to our office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

What about a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?
If your child suffers a severe head or jaw fracture go directly to the emergency room. This can be life threatening and should be treated first.

Do special-needs children have special dental concerns?
Yes. Some children with disabilities are more susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Certain medications, special diets, or oral habits detrimental to dental health are common among special-needs children. If preventive dental care is started early and followed conscientiously, every child can enjoy a healthy smile.

How can I prevent dental problems for my special-needs child?
A first dental visit (Well-Care visit) by age one will be the beginning to a lifetime of good dental health. We will obtain a full medical history, perform an examination of your child's teeth and gums, and then develop a preventive care plan specifically designed for your child's needs.

Will preventive dentistry benefit my special-needs child?
Yes! Your child will benefit from the preventive approach recommended for all children- effective daily brushing and flossing, moderation of snacking and proper amounts of fluoride. Adequate oral home care takes minutes a day and will prevent many dental problems. Regular professional cleanings and fluoride treatments will help prevent or help catch problems early if they should arise.

Is Jack and Jill Pediatric Dentistry prepared to care for special-needs children?
Specialty education in pediatric dentistry provides additional training that focuses specifically on the care for children with special health-care needs. Our office is designed to be physically accessible for special-needs patients.

When will my child need orthodontics/braces?
For the average child, the ideal time for orthodontics will be just before the last of the primary/baby teeth naturally fall out. This will usually occur at approximately eleven. However, there are circumstances in which children benefit from phase I or interceptive orthodontics. For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists typically recommends that children have a screening appointment with an orthodontist at age seven. At this time, the orthodontist will discuss future treatments, including the timing of such treatment.