Dental Topics

Pediatric dentists have years of additional training after dental school to learn specialized procedures in children's oral care. These dentists are dedicated to patients as young as one or as old as their late teens. Any parent knows that children of all ages need a unique approach to deal behavior, dental anxiety, and oral development. Pediatric dentists are the most equipped to meet these needs and allay any concerns parents or children might have about their next dental appointment.

Primary teeth are the building blocks of a healthy smile later in life. These teeth can often be very sensitive though, so untreated cavities can actually affect the development of adult teeth. Primary teeth are an important part of eating and digestion, speech and communication, and providing space and alignment for future teeth. It's also important to note that caring for primary teeth builds daily habits for a lifetime of good hygiene.

In the dental field, dental eruption is the term we use to refer to teeth breaking through the gums and becoming visible. While dental formation below the gums starts even before birth, the lower front teeth (or incisors) usually erupt by 4-6 months of age. By age 3, the toddler mouth typically has about 20 primary teeth, even though the order of eruption varies drastically from one child to another. By age 6, permanent teeth begin to grow in, a process that can sometimes last another decade.

 Parents can surely have their hands full if their child is complaining about sore teeth or dental pain. For anyone that's experienced a cavity or dental emergency, these problems can be painful and often require medical attention. Here is a list of frequent dental emergencies in children and what you should do if you encounter them:

• Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth with mouthwash and dental floss to remove any food or residue that may be causing irritation. A warm, salt water rinse may clean the affected and over-the-counter pain relievers can cut down on discomfort. If any signs of swelling or pain persist for 12-24 hours, call your pediatric dentist. 
• Cut or Bite on Inside of Mouth: Apply an ice pack to the exterior of the mouth to reduce swelling. In the event of bleeding, apply gentle pressure with gauze or cloth. If bleeding continues, visit the emergency room at your nearest hospital.
• Permanent Tooth Loss: If a permanent tooth is ever knocked out, it is important that you react quickly and contact your dentist immediately. Recover the tooth (if possible) and handle it only by the crown. You can rinse the tooth under water only to remove dirt or other materials; do not use household cleaners like soap to scrub the tooth. Once clean, try reinserting the tooth into the socket and hold it in place by biting down on gauze. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, place the tooth in a cup of whole milk or hold it between the gum and cheek to prevent it from drying out.
• Knocked-Out Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist and schedule the soonest appointment available. While this usually is not a huge emergency, the dentist may opt to use a dental spacer until a permanent tooth replaces it.
• Chipped Permanent Tooth: Locate and save any tooth fragments and call your dentist immediately. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold packs to reduce any swelling.
• Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw: Immediately take your child to the nearest emergency room and try to reduce jaw movement as much as possible by wrapping a bandage around the top of the head and jaw.

Our office recommends using only children's toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association (ADA). All toothpastes that meet this requirement have the organization's emblem printed on the side of the box, informing parents that the toothpaste has undergone strict testing. Avoid adult toothpastes, as these can be overly abrasive on a young mouth and reduce children's enamel.

Toothpaste should always be spit out after use. If ingested in large amounts, fluoride in the toothpaste can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which leaves spotted discolorations on the teeth. If your child is too young to spit out toothpaste, try using a fluoride-free variety.

Adequate dental care during pregnancy is an important part of ensuring the health of your child. Research shows that only about one-third of women visit the dentist during pregnancy, even though this is an important component to overall prenatal health. Undiagnosed periodontal disease can actually increase the risk of low birth weights and preterm births. It is important that you seek routine dental visits during pregnancy.

When it comes to early infant oral care, teeth haven't erupted yet, but you should use a soft washcloth or gauze to clean food or drink residue from the gums. Simply wrap your finger in soft material and lightly wipe your child's gums to reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth.

If your child is old enough to begin participating in recreational sports, then you should certainly purchase a protective mouth guard. In sports like basketball, soccer, baseball, and football, physical contact can easily lead to a broken tooth or injuries to the tongue or lips. This small piece of equipment is essential to preventing sports injuries. Make sure that you purchase a mouth guard before your child steps onto the field.

Xylitol is a sugar substitute primarily found in gum and other oral care products. As a sweetener, this compound can be found naturally in foods like berries and mushrooms. Gum companies have started using this compound as an alternative to sugary sweeteners and it can actually prove beneficial to oral health. Xylitol can drastically reduce the chances of cavity formation. If your child likes chewing gum, switch to a xylitol product that actually boosts their dental health!

Dentists recommend that even teenagers and adolescents should still see the dentist every 6 months. At this point, your teenager probably has a full set of adult teeth, but a pediatric dentist can still be the right option. With Dr. John, our office gives special attention to teenage dental problems and we understand that things like orthodontic treatment are a common part of teenage years. Our pediatric practice is perfectly catered to understanding how your child's mouth has developed and will continue to grow throughout their life.

Some teenagers may find lip or tongue piercings to be a cool new trend, but our office, along with the American Dental Association (ADA), strongly discourages patients from seeking oral piercings. While common problems include swelling, pain, and minor infections, these piercings can result in harmful health conditions. For example, blood clots, chipped teeth, sever gum conditions, and nerve damage can all be caused by oral piercings.

We are surely taught about the dangers of tobacco in school and by parents, but dentists often have firsthand horror stories about the damage that smokeless tobacco and cigarettes can cause. Many teens will turn to smokeless tobacco as a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes, but this couldn't be any further from the truth. After only a few months of use, chewing or dipping tobacco can create open sores or abscesses in the mouth. If tobacco use isn't stopped, it can lead to pre-cancerous leukoplakia, which often needs extensive surgery to remove. Keep your teenager’s mouth healthy and explain the dangers of smokeless tobacco.