 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Emergencies
ToothacheCut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek
Broken Appliance or Wire
Broken Tooth
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth
Non-Emergencies
What is a pediatric dentist?
How do I care for my infant’s teeth and gums?
How do I care for my child’s teeth?
What should I do if my baby is teething?
Why are baby teeth important?
How does fluoride help to prevent cavities?
What are sealants?
How safe are x-rays?
 |
Emergencies
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth with warm saltwater. If your child's face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Do not place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek
Apply ice to bruised areas. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or it cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take your child to a hospital emergency room.
If a broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with cotton balls, gauze, wax or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the child’s gums, cheek or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to a dentist immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.
Rinse dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Locate any broken tooth fragments. Immediate dental attention is necessary.
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. If the tooth is not fractured or broken, try to reinsert the tooth in its socket. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk or water. See a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth. |
Non-Emergencies
Also known as the “pediatricians of dentistry,” pediatric dentists have two to three years of specialty training following their four years of dental school education. They are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health needs. In addition, they utilize different approaches to treat each child depending upon their behavior and psychological and social development. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) now recommends that your child’s first visit to the dentist is within six months of the child’s first tooth eruption, and no later than his/her first birthday. The first visit is to establish a “dental home” for your child, and helps us to focus on prevention, anticipatory guidance, and early detection and treatment of dental diseases.
How do I care for my infant’s teeth and gums?
Clean your baby’s gums with a damp washcloth at least twice a day. Do not allow your child to go to bed with a bottle containing anything but water. After each bottle or breast-feeding session, wipe your infant’s mouth with a damp washcloth. Never sweeten a pacifier with honey or other sweet substances. Brushing should begin when the first tooth erupts.
How do I care for my child’s teeth?
We encourage parents to brush their child’s teeth until about the age of 7 or 8. Young children do not have the manual dexterity to brush correctly and thoroughly. Brushing should occur two to three times a day by placing a soft-bristled brush at a 45 degree angle at the gum line. Gently brush in small circular motions on all surfaces of the teeth. Brush across the chewing surfaces, making sure the bristles are scrubbing the grooves and crevices. In addition, brush your child’s tongue lightly to remove the bacteria that causes bad breath. Have your child rinse with water after brushing is complete. Flossing should begin once any two teeth touch, and we recommend that parents floss their child’s teeth until they are capable of doing it properly on their own.
What should I do if my baby is teething?
Symptoms of teething include discomfort, irritability, sore or inflamed gums, increased drooling, and sucking or chewing on things more than usual. Clean and massage your baby's gums with a damp gauze pad or give a cold teething ring to chew on. Tylenol can provide relief but check with your pediatrician first. If you notice any pus, swelling, or excessive redness, call the pediatric dentist.
It is important that primary (baby) teeth are kept until they are lost naturally since they serve a number of important functions. Primary teeth:
- Help maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly
- Provide spacing and guide permanent teeth into the correct position
- Allow good pronunciation and speech habits
- Help children feel good about their looks to others
When primary teeth are lost too early, the space that is left should be maintained by a space maintainer to ensure enough room for the permanent teeth to erupt. Your pediatric dentist has the knowledge required to apply both preventive and corrective techniques that will maintain the health of your child's teeth. In many instances, pediatric dentists are able to make minor corrections that will eliminate major dental work later.
How does fluoride help to prevent cavities?
Fluoride helps to prevent decay by making our teeth more resistant to the harmful acid that is produced by bacteria left over from food particles. By brushing regularly with fluoridated toothpaste, and receiving routine fluoride treatments from the dentist, tooth enamel can become stronger and more resistant to the acid that causes tooth decay. The best time to introduce fluoride to the teeth is when they are still forming in the jaws. This can be accomplished by having your child drink optimally fluoridated water, or take fluoride supplements if necessary. You may begin to introduce fluoride toothpaste to your child once they have learned to spit which is around 3 years old. Make sure they are always supervised to ensure they are using no more than a pea-size amount. It is very important to be aware that too little or no fluoride can make teeth more prone to decay, and too much fluoride can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which can cause a chalky white or brown staining on the permanent teeth. For concerns about fluoride it is best to discuss it with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Sealants are a resin material that is placed on the chewing surfaces, which acts as a barrier against decay. Typically, posterior (back) teeth have deep pits and grooves that are impossible to keep clean. Bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach them. As you eat, food and bacteria get stuck and settle into these grooves. The bacteria then produce a harmful acid which in turn causes cavities. The resin material that is used in our office is white and also releases fluoride to the tooth. Sealants are an easy and painless procedure.
X-rays are an integral part of the comprehensive oral exam. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit radiation to children and take them only if indicated. With the proper safety measures, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray is extremely small and the risk is negligible. The risk of an undetected and untreated dental problem is far greater than dental X-rays.
