Helpful Dental Health Information
| What should I use to clean my baby's teeth and Gums? A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime. For infants with no teeth, fresh cotton gauze or washcloth can be used to wipe the gums clean. More: Dental Care For Your Baby |
| When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up? In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. More: Dental Care For Your Baby |
| What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist? Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. |
| How soon after birth will my child get their baby teeth? At birth people usually have primary, also known as “baby” teeth, which often appear (erupt) as early as six months of age. They are then shed at various times throughout childhood. By age 21, all 32 of the permanent teeth have usually erupted. More: Tooth Eruption Chart |
| Toothpaste: when should we begin using it and how much should we use? Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child's teeth with water or training toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used after age 2-3, parents should supervise brushing and make sure the child uses no more than a pea-sized amount on the brush. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing! |
| How can I prevent decay caused by nursing? Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child's teeth. Take your child to a pediatric dentist regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday. More: Dental Care For Your Baby |
| Are thumbsucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child's teeth? Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers when the permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist. More: Pacifier (Thumb) Habit |
| Are baby teeth really that important to my child? Why would they need
to be filled? Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, support growth and development of facial muscles, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. If a child has well maintained primary teeth, he or she will most likely have good permanent teeth. Therefore, it is important to take care of any issues, such as cavities, which might occur while primary teeth are present. More: Primary Teeth |
Child / General Questions |
| How can parents help prevent tooth decay? Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits. More: Preventive Dentistry |
| How often does my child need to see the pediatric dentist? A check-up every six months is recommended in order prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health. More: Regular Dental Visits |
| What should I do if my child has a toothache? First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums. Follow the dosage recommended by your child’s medical doctor. Finally, see a dentist as soon as possible!!! More: Emergency Dental Care |
| How do I make my child's diet healthy for his teeth? Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat fish and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting your child's teeth from decay. You can also ask your pediatric dentist to help you select foods that protect your children's teeth. More: Diet and Snacking (Dental Health) |
| How do dental sealants work? Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years. More: Sealants |
| How do I know if my child is getting enough fluoride? Have your pediatric dentist evaluate the fluoride level of your child's primary source of drinking water. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then your pediatric dentist may prescribe fluoride supplements. |
| What should I do if my child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth? The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then find the tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to reinsert it in the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk (or water) and take your child and the glass immediately to the pediatric dentist (or emergency room depending on the severity of other injuries). More: Emergency Dental Care |
| How safe are dental X-rays? There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation. More: X-Ray Use |
| The doctor mentioned maintaining the space where my child lost her tooth,
why is that important? Space maintenance is important to ensure proper development and alignment of future permanent teeth. Maintaining the space where a primary tooth once was will provide proper space for permanent teeth to come through and assist in muscle and jaw development. More: Space Maintenance |
| What is malocclusion? Malocclusion is the improper positioning of the teeth and jaws. It is a variation of normal growth and development which can affect the bite, the ability to clean teeth properly, gum tissue health, jaw growth, speech development and appearance. More: What is Malocclusion |
| When do we need to start thinking about braces for my child? It's never too early to keep an eye on your child's oral development. Your pediatric dentist can identify malocclusion -- crowded or crooked teeth or bite problems -- and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth. Orthodontic treatment early can prevent more extensive treatment later. More: Early Orthodontic Care |
Teen & Young Adult Oriented |
| What can I do to protect my child's teeth during sporting events? A custom-fitted mouthguard developed by a pediatric dentist will protect your child from injuries to the teeth, face and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head. A store-bought plastic mouthguard can be used to protect a child's teeth and lips from sport related injuries, but it will not work as comprehensively as a custom version. More: Mouth Guards (Protectors) |
| Isn’t periodontal
disease (gum disease) something which only affects older adults? Periodontal disease is a condition that can affect individuals both young and old. It typically occurs due to improper oral hygiene. Without treatment and regular brushing and flossing, the condition can become worse and lead to serious oral health problems. More: Gum Disease |
| I accidentally bit my cheek and now it is extremely sore? The sore that may have formed after biting your cheek could be a canker sore. Sometimes canker sores appear after a person does something to hurt the inside of the mouth. The exact cause is not necessarily known, but there are certain triggers which have been shown to induce these oral sores. More: Canker Sores |
| Is Bleaching or other Cosmetic Dental procedures okay for children? As a patient grows into adulthood there are sometimes cosmetic treatments necessary for health and positive self awareness and attitudes. A smile is an important reflection of how we feel about ourselves. Sometimes it is the hardest thing to do when we feel self-conscious. More: Esthetic.Cosmetic Dentistry |
| What causes bad breath? The most common cause of bad breath comes from problems in the mouth associated with bacteria. Poor oral hygiene, broken fillings, gum disease and the effects of tobacco use are but a few of these problems. This is why we encourage patients to have a thorough dental exam to help to more accurately locate sources of their problem. More: Bad Breath |
| People pierce their ears. Why is it a bad idea to pierce my tongue or
lip? As a teenager or young adult, it can be fun to express ourselves in unusual and sometimes rebellious manners. However, the risks associated oral piercings can cause dental problems and health risks which could last a lifetime. More: Oral Piercings |
| What are the oral effects of tobacco use? Smoking or chewing tobacco will immediately cause bad breath. However, the effects of smoking or chewing tobacco can ultimately cause more substantial dental and oral health problems with prolonged use. More: Tobacco Use |
| When I kiss my boyfriend (or girlfriend) could we get our braces locked
together? The honest answer is maybe, but it is a very, very slim chance of that occurring. More: Kissing with Braces |