For more information on oral health care needs, please visit the website for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Is it ever too early or too late for a dental visit?

No, it’s never too early to start talking about good oral health.  In fact, pregnant Mom’s in our offices give us an opportunity to stress the importance of proper nutrition to ensure the health of the Mother and baby.  This gives us time to discuss the link between low birth-weight babies and the periodontal health of the mother, along with other issues.  We find that future Mom’s have many important concerns which need to be addressed before the birth of the child.  A child should be seen no later than age 3.  This is a very nice age both psychologically and practically.  Dental cavities or growth and development problems discovered early in children allow for less invasive, less costly and more preventive procedures.  Waiting until age 5 or 6 is often too late as the effects of dental cavities can be severe.
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What is better for my child – bottle feeding or breast feeding?

Most would suggest that breast feeding is best because a mother’s milk provides important nutrients and antibodies that help develop the child’s immune system.  Breast feeding also provides the opportunity for bonding between the mother and the child.  The weaning process will begin as soon as a child can drink from a sippy cup or a straw cup.  Parents determine the timing of this much more so than the child.  Parents are to encourage their children not to carry the “sippy” cup around with the child.  Frequent exposure (using a “sippy” cup) to carbohydrates found in many drinks can lead to significant dental cavities.
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Can we make recommendations on the best way to stop thumb sucking habits?

Unlike other habits, this one is an incredibly difficult one to break.  The thumb is a part of the body and can therefore not be thrown away.  The child needs to be at an age where they understand the importance of ceasing the habit.  In other words, they also must want to quit in order for any efforts made by the dental team to be effective.  Our office has digit and habit cessation programs which we will be happy to explain at the time of your dental visit.
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Can pacifiers cause harm?

The pacifier habit usually starts in the hospital when everyone nurturing that child is trying to help calm them.  There is no harm in calming an anxious child but overuse can indeed lead to oral problems if the pattern of use becomes excessive.  For example, mouth breathing, over crowding of the teeth, vaulting of the palate and open bite can result from overusing the pacifier.  As with bottle weaning, stopping “cold turkey” is the most effective approach to eliminating the pacifier.  There will clearly be a period of crying and adjusting after the pacifier is weaned – be prepared and expect this.
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Should parents accompany their children during treatment?

We believe the facts are very clear; most (not all) children are better behaved when parents are not present.  For this reason, generally speaking, most parents and children are better off when separated during treatment.  However, exceptions are always made based on an individual basis and especially for infants and their mothers.  Many times, parents bring their own insecurities into the dental office without doing it intentionally.  Parents always mean well but their anxieties are expressed in phrases like “don’t worry” or “it won’t hurt” or “you’ll be just fine”.  These phrases mean well – but during the procedure do more harm than good.  In our office our commitment is to provide a high quality dental experience for you and your child.  Our objective is to help create healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes about going to the dentists.  We believe the best way to create an irresistible atmosphere is to demonstrate to children they are more than able to proceed through a dental visit without their Mom and Dad.  We will treat every child as if they were our own and will not waiver from that.  We want to establish trust with the parent so they understand the goal is to provide the best treatment for the child.  We sincerely believe that we meet this objective daily in a loving, caring and fostering environment uniquely created for infants, children and teens.
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Do we do oral sedation and general anesthesia?

There are certainly circumstances when sedating children or taking children to the operating room is necessary.  In our practice – this is not our first choice in treating an uncooperative child.  We believe it is not possible to establish a relationship with a patient when he / she are sedated.  One of the most important aspects of providing oral health to patients is also teaching, educating and making a good impression on the pediatric patient.  It’s impossible to do this when the patient is sedated.  There are numerous studies which indicate more experienced dentists rely less and less on sedation and general anesthesia.  This comes with time and trust in building the relationship between dentist, dental team, parent and child.
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Why are dentists so excited about Fluoride? 

Fluoride has been proven to be the most effective way to prevent and reduce dental decay.  If and when decay does take place, it does so at a much later age and it is less severe.  Topical fluoride, like those found in tooth paste, mouth rinses and in-office treatments act synergistically with the fluoride taken systemically.  Systemic fluoride can come from drops, vitamins and community water sources.  Fluoride has an anti-bacterial property that when in

contact with oral bacteria disrupts their metabolic activity and prevents dental cavities.  Fluoride also has a mineralization mechanism when incorporated into the enamel of teeth makes them much more resistant to the effects of bacteria.
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Why do we go to such great lengths to “save” baby teeth… they fall out anyways?

The single most important reason to “save” baby teeth is to maintain space for the permanent teeth.  The further the tooth is toward the back of the mouth, the more important that tooth actually is.  Additionally, baby teeth are critical for over all oral health.  Healthy teeth enable the child to eat well and speak clearly.  Children with dental pain are much less likely to perform well in school and the effects to their self esteem can be dramatic.  It is important to maintain the baby tooth until it exfoliates on its own or through dental intervention.  The last baby tooth usually doesn’t “fall out” until the child is 12 or 13 years old.
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Why do pediatric dentists treat baby teeth with stainless steel crowns?

It is often jokingly said that pediatric dentists do too many stainless steel crowns and general dentists do too few stainless steel crowns.  Some dentists feel that amalgams and composites are conservative treatment options for children and the use of stainless steel crowns is too aggressive.  In many cases the exact opposite is true.  If a baby tooth or an adult tooth has too much dental decay to warrant a crown, then a crown should be placed.  A stainless steel crown often times can take half the amount of drilling when compared to doing a filling.  Also, a stainless steel crown is a very durable restoration and when compared with fillings often times do not need to be replaced as often.  Therefore, the stainless steel crown can really be the most conservative option in these situations.  There are numerous studies proving the longevity and superiority of a stainless steel crown when compared to a traditional silver or composite filling.  We are always pleased to discuss the differences between crowns and fillings with you at the time of your visit.
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What about Dental Sealants?  Why do some dentists use them routinely & others do not?

We strongly believe that sealants have their place in dentistry and should be used when appropriate. Children who have healthy mouths and limited risk factors for dental cavities will not benefit from the use of a dental sealant.  Once a sealant is placed, the dentist and family have essentially agreed to monitor that sealant for its lifetime.  If a sealant chips, fractures or washes out then the sealant needs to be repaired or removed all together.  A defective sealant can be worse than no sealant at all.  Too many parents and patients believe that that once a sealant is placed the tooth is no longer susceptible to dental cavities.  This is not accurate.  In other instances however, the use of a dental sealant can be very effective, especially for children who are prone toward dental cavities due to a strong genetic component or high sugar diet.  All children in our practices are evaluated for the appropriate usage of dental sealants and this topic is addressed at the time of eruption of the first permanent molars (approximate age 6 – 7).
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What material is better for fixing cavities, amalgam or composite?

Unless esthetics is a concern, we prefer amalgam because it is durable, reliable and cost effective.  The concern about mercury in amalgam fillings is not scientifically sound.  Mercury is released and ingested when we eat tuna or shrimp.  On the other hand, we love to provide an esthetic dental restoration and composite resin filling materials are impressive.  We use both restorative materials in our practice routinely and discuss the pros and cons of each material with our parents during the decision making process.
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What advice do you have about kids brushing by themselves?  How about powered tooth brushes and which toothpaste should we use?

We encourage the parents to actively participate in the brushing of their children’s teeth until the child has enough manual dexterity to tie their own shoes.  As the child gets older, our parents are still encouraged to monitor the tooth brushing process as well as flossing.  We all know that kids are going to take short cuts – we do – why wouldn’t they?  Powered brushes are effective especially if good technique is used.  In our own personal experiences, we believe children do not have enough manual dexterity to operate a powered tooth brush as well as a manual one.  When it comes to tooth paste… always use an ADA approved variety.  You should follow the directions for usage on the back and use as minimal amount of tooth pastes as possible – it’s the scrubbing motion of the brush that cleans the teeth – not the tooth paste.
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GENERAL TOPICS & FAQ

What Is A Pediatric Dentist?

It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until age 10-13.
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Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth

What is Pulp Therapy?

EARLY INFANT ORAL CARE

 Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)

After each feeding, wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your lap or lay the child on a dressing table or the floor. Whatever position you use, be sure you can see into the child’s mouth easily.
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PREVENTION

Care of Your Child’s Teeth

Flossing removes plaque between the teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You should floss the child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss into a C-shape and slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget the backs of the last four teeth.
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Good Diet = Healthy Teeth

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, which cause longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese, which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.
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Xylitol - Reducing Cavities

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol on the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. 

The use of XYLITOL GUM by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months after delivery and until the child was 2 years old, has proven to reduce cavities up to 70% by the time the child was 5 years old.

Studies using xylitol as either a sugar substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in new tooth decay, along with some reversal of existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been completed.

Xylitol is widely distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms, lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol.

Studies suggest xylitol intake that consistently produces positive results ranged from 4-20 grams per day, divided into 3-7 consumption periods. Higher results did not result in greater reduction and may lead to diminishing results.  Similarly, consumption frequency of less than 3 times per day showed no effect.

To find gum or other products containing xylitol, try visiting your local health food store or search the Internet to find products containing 100% xylitol. 
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