Children's Dental
A top priority for parents is helping their children develop good oral health habits. You can help your child enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles by starting dental visits at an early age.
A Child's Dental Care Begins Before Birth
Teeth begin to form between the third and sixth months of pregnancy. Good health habits are important for development of the unborn child. Unless a physician recommends otherwise, pregnant women should remember to consume dairy products, which are the best sources for calcium, the main building block for bones and teeth. Bringing Up Baby You can't see them, but at birth your baby already has 20 primary teeth, some of which are almost completely formed in the jaw. Wiping baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeding will remove the plaque and bacteria that can harm erupting teeth. Usually, the first four teeth begin to appear when the baby is between age six months and one year.The First Dental Visit
The ADA recommends parents take children to the dentist by the child's first birthday. In addition to checking for decay and other possible problems, the dentist will teach you how to properly clean your child's teeth daily, evaluate any adverse habits such as thumbsucking, and identify your child's fluoride needs. Babies and Bottles The primary (baby) teeth are very important for chewing, speaking and appearance. They also help hold space in the jaws for the permanent teeth. One serious form of tooth decay among young children is early childhood decay (sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay). This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant's teeth to liquids that contain sugar, such as milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks.The Growing Years
Parents need to supervise toothbrushing to make sure children over age two use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and avoid swallowing the toothpaste. Children should be taught to spit out remaining toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing. Most children will be able to brush on their own by age six or seven. Parents should be using floss or an interdental cleaner on their child's teeth as soon as any two teeth touch. Cleaning between the teeth is important because it removes plaque where a toothbrush can't reach. Brush your child's teeth twice a day unless your dentist recommends otherwise.Sealing out Decay
As permanent teeth come in, talk to your dentist about having dental sealants applied to protect teeth from decay. A dental sealant is a clear material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay most often occurs. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting teeth from bacteria and the acid that attacks enamel.Nature's Cavity Fighter
Fluoride is one of the most effective agents for preventing tooth decay. Ask the dentist if your child is getting the proper amount of fluoride. The best way for your child to receive fluoride's protection is by drinking water containing the right amount of the mineral. Children who from birth drink water containing fluoride on average have up to 50 percent fewer cavities. Your dentist can provide fluoride supplements for your children if you live in a community that does not have optimally fluoridated drinking water. Your dentist may also recommend office fluoride treatments.Orthodontics
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that every child visit the Orthodontist at age 7. A visit at an even younger age is advisable if a particular problem has been identified by a parent, family dentist or child's physician. Generally, bone or jaw problems are best addressed at an earlier age. An upper or lower jaw that is growing too much or not enough, is too wide, too narrow, or crooked can be recognized at an early age. Because children are growing rapidly, they can benefit enormously from an early phase of orthodontic/orthopedic treatment. Generally, patients with more ideal bite relationships and adequate spacing can wait for all the permanent teeth to erupt before starting orthodontic treatment. Phase 1 orthodontic treatment is generally indicated when there is a skeletal discrepancy. Certain type of orthodontic can prevent the later removal of permanent teeth to correct overcrowding and also prevent certain surgical procedures to align the upper and lower jaws. Early treatment can also decrease the time necessary for the 2nd phase (full braces) of treatment.By beginning treatment at an earlier age, Mid-Valley Dental Care can use simple appliances to reshape or widen your child's jaws before they're fully developed. He's naturally changing the jaw's growth pattern to accommodate all of your child's permanent teeth. There's no discomfort. No surgery. It's an amazingly simple and painless process. One that, in the long run, can save your child from having permanent teeth pulled and having his or her profile forever altered.
Accidents Can Happen
Active children require proper mouth protection to prevent injuries to the face, tongue and lips, injuries that could include broken or knocked out teeth and even jaw fractures. Ask your dentist for advice on the proper mouthguard for your child, whether he or she is playing a contact sport like football or just having fun bike riding or inline skating. If an accident does happen, call the dentist as soon as possible.
A multitude of teeth are knocked out every year in the United States. The main causes in the permanent dentition are fights and sports injuries. Researchers have developed methods of saving most of these teeth. These knocked out teeth can often be re-implanted under favorable conditions. If the tooth can be replanted within minutes after the accident, there is a greater chance the tooth will be retained for life.
After the accident, the tooth should be located and picked up by the crown or enamel portion and NOT the root. If the tooth is dirty or contaminated, it should gently be rinsed with milk or water. Do not store the tooth in water.
It should be noted that if a primary (baby) tooth is knocked out, it should NOT be replanted as it could damage the permanent tooth bud in formation. Parents should NOT try to place the baby tooth back into the socket, and should immediately seek the advice and treatment of their dentist
What to Tell the Dentist
It's important for parents to take an active role in their child's oral health care. Parents should let the dentist know about their child's health. Things parents should tell the dentist: If the child is ill; What medications the child may be taking; If the child has any known drug allergies.What to Ask the Dentist
If you don't understand the dentist's recommendations for your child's oral health treatment, don't be afraid to ask for more information. Ask if there are other treatment options available for your child. How do the options differ in cost? Which option will best solve the problem?Anesthesia
Some difficult or complex dental procedures may require the dentist to administer medications to control your child's pain or anxiety. Ask the dentist what type of medication will be used and what possible side effects it may have; ask what follow-up care may be required for the child. You may also want to ask what training and experience the dentist has had in administering these agents and what procedures are in place for the child's safety, such as monitoring equipment and back-up emergency medical services.At Mid-Valley Dental Care we can provide the services of a hospital trained Dental Anesthesiologist…providing the highest level of safety and anxiety free comfort for your child!