Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

A: "First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age. In the first visit we will discuss important topics and give you some practical methods that will help you to maintain your child’s oral health.

Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

A: The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (also know as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Your child risks severe decay from using a bottle during naps or at night or when they nurse continuously from the breast.

The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. In the first visit we will determine your child’s risk to caries as every child has unique caries-risk factors. We will also teach you how to minimize those factors and maximize the one that will improve your child’s oral health, general health and well-being.

Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits. Let us help you.

Q. How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?

A: 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 begins to erupt. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. When juice is offered, it should be in a cup.

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. Bring your child to our office regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked.

Q. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

A: Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Q. What if I have a special health care need child?

A: Special health care needs include any physical, developmental, sensory, behavioral, cognitive, or emotional impairment or limiting condition that requires medical management, health care intervention, and/or use of specialized services or programs. Health care for individuals with special needs requires specialized knowledge, increased attention, adaptation, and accommodative measures beyond what considered routine.

For some infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs, treatment under sedation or general anesthesia represents the only appropriate method to deliver necessary oral health care.

We can help you determine the best method to deliver oral health care to your child or adolescent with special health care needs and in the majority of cases we will be able to provide it in our office.

Q. How do I make my child's diet safe for his teeth?

A: 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.

We will help you select foods that protect your children's teeth.

Q. Is it fluoride safe for my child?

A. Fluoride is one of the most effective and inexpensive methods to reduce the occurrence of caries. The correct amount of fluoride ingestion in the water and other sources will help your child’s teeth to fight against caries without putting your child at risk for health problems.

The important key is the amount of fluoride used and ingested.

We will be happy to answer all your questions about fluoride and determine if your child’s exposure to fluoride is optimal or if it need adjustments.

Q. Should I worry about the pacifier, thumb and finger sucking?

A: Early use of pacifiers and digit sucking are considered normal although they should not be encouraged. These habits can lead to unwanted changes in your child's teeth and facial appearance. Most thumb sucking habits stop by age 2. If your child has not stopped by school-age, there are several options we can discuss to help stop this habit.

Q. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

A: The sooner the better! With the eruption of the first teeth, clean your child’s gum with a soft infant toothbrush. For children under 2 years old, use only a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. For children over 2, a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste should be used. Remember that most children under 7 years of age do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively, so work with your child to teach good brushing habits.

Q. Any advice on teething?

A: From six months to age 3, your child may have sore gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon, or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.

Q. How do dental sealants work?

A: 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 can effectively protect teeth for many years.

The treatment is very affordable, especially in view of the valuable decay protection it offers your child. Most dental insurance companies cover sealants. Some companies, however, have age and specific tooth limitations. Check with your benefits provider about your child’s coverage and talk to your pediatric dentist about the exact cost of sealants for your child.

Q. What should I do if my child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth?

A: The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then find the tooth. If you are indoors and the tooth appears clean, hold the part of the tooth you see when smiling and try to place it in the socket. If you are outdoors and it is dirty or if you simply don't feel comfortable reinserting it, put the tooth in a glass of milk and go immediately to seek dental care. Remember, this only applies to PERMANENT teeth. If your child knocks out a BABY tooth, you should still seek dental care but do not try to put it back in the mouth. Baby teeth that come out always go to the tooth fairy.

If your child receives a blow on the head or fractures a bone go immediately to the emergency room of your local hospital. A blow to the head can be life threatening.