FAQ When should I bring my child for the first dental visit? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentist (AAPD) recommends that first dental visit should occur within 6 months after first tooth comes in or no later than twelve months of age. According to a research, 10% of children have decay by the age of two and 40% by the age of four. Thus it makes good sense to have early exams and regular preventive care at around twelve months. There is no consensus, however, among family dentists, pediatricians, and pediatric dentists. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) currently recommends first visit to the dentist at age three. Remember that the earlier your child begins regular check-ups, the higher the chances of your child will grow up cavity-free. What will be done on my child's first visit? At the first visit, Dr. Teddy will perform a head and neck exam, check your child’s dental health and bite, discuss their dental needs and answer any questions you may have about oral health. Dr. Teddy will take X-rays, if needed, after the exam. We use the latest equipment and techniques to minimize radiation exposure. Additional services will be scheduled for a later visit. Why should I choose a pediatric dentist rather than a family dentist? A pediatric dentist renders you with more specialized and detailed information. Also a pediatric dentist has more behavior modification venues to lessen anxiety during the visits. Limiting its practice to children, a pediatric dental office is more child-friendly, and the staff is more knowledgeable about assisting children. When do baby teeth and permanent teeth erupt? Charts below show typical eruption patterns for primary and permanent teeth. Please use these keeping in mind that each child is unique and there is a very wide variation in the timing of tooth eruption. Should you have any questions, please call or visit us. Teeth eruption animation http://www.ada.org/public/games/animation/index.asp Teeth eruption chart http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tooth_eruption.asp What can I do for my baby's teething? Play with your baby to take the mind off teething sensation. If that does not work, use cold wet gauze or a teething ring to massage the teething area. Should your baby still fuss and keep you awake all night, try Baby Orajel. Apply only a very small, indicated amount with a Q-tip. Why are baby teeth so important? Baby teeth are vital for your child’s eating, speech development, appearance and self-esteem. More importantly, they hold spaces for permanent teeth to come in. Baby teeth lost early due to decay are the leading cause for crowding of the adult teeth. My child has spacing between baby teeth. Would she need braces in the future? Spacing between baby teeth is highly beneficial ? it reduces chances of crowding of the adult teeth helping permanent teeth come in straight. Without any spacing, chances of needing orthodontic care are higher than 50%. My teeth and my husband’s teeth always have been crooked. Is there anything that I can do to help my child’s teeth come in straight? A pediatric dentist will monitor your child’s bite, throughout her development, so that early orthodontic treatment can intervene to guide teeth as they come into the mouth. Also, a pediatric dentist will address appropriate withdrawal of oral habits that can encourage orthodontic problems. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for teeth? When should I stop them? Yes. They, if prolonged, can create crowded teeth or bite problems. By the age of two, most children stop thumb sucking, one of a baby’s natural reflexes that make them feel secure and happy. If your child does not, discourage it at three years of age. At this time, your child should also be weaned off the pacifier. If a baby continues to suck their thumbs with great intensity, it can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. Consult your pediatric dentist. Your pediatric dentist will gladly go over ways to address any potentially harmful habits. Can babies get cavities? What causes cavities? How can I tell if I see a cavity? Yes. Food or liquid containing sweets causes tooth decay in babies. How often and how long sweet liquids remain in the mouth are also determining factors. Decay-causing germs break down sugars into acids destroying enamel ? protective outer layer of tooth. The first sign of decay is a white or yellow stain on the tooth close to the gum line or on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. However, decay in between teeth can start before you can see it. What is baby bottle tooth decay? How do I prevent it from happening? It refers to tooth decay in babies. Babies are vulnerable to tooth decay, as soon as their first teeth appear around six months of age. Many sweet liquids cause these problems, including milk, formula and fruit juice. Each time your baby drinks these liquids, bacteria in the mouth uses these sugars to produce acids that attack teeth. Acid attack lasts longer than twenty minutes. If your baby has nine feedings a day, at least three hours of acid production will result from her bacteria. Repeated attacks develop a cavity or a hole in the enamel, the tooth’s outer layer. You can help prevent this from happening by never allowing your baby to fall asleep with a bottle containing sweet liquids. Also, wipe your baby’s gums with clean moist gauze, starting at birth, after every feeding and before bed or nap time. How could I prevent cavities in my child? · Brush your child's teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, one after breakfast and another   right before bed. Keep in mind that your child should start using fluoride toothpaste only when   you are sure that they can expectorate or spit. · Floss your child’s teeth once a day until they are able to do it themselves ? usually around   seven years old. · Seek regular dental check-ups ? every six months or at an interval that fits your child’s need   the best as recommended by your pediatric dentist. · Assure sufficient fluoride through drinking water, fluoride products or fluoride supplements. · Have sealants applied when appropriate as recommended by your pediatric dentist. · Snack moderately ? no more than twice a day. Brush teeth immediately after snacking or at   least have your child rinse with water if toothbrush is not available. How do I make my child’s diet safe for his teeth? Make a list of good foods for her teeth that are quickly dissolving, clearing and fibrous foods. These foods include raw fruits, raw vegetables, and cheese. It is important to keep good brushing habits even after consuming these foods. Bad foods for teeth are sticky and processed foods, including dried fruits, cookies and gummy candies. Carbohydrates (sugars and starch) are important nutrients your child needs to grow and stay healthy. Select complex carbohydrates that break down in the stomach, such as vegetables and grains. Simple carbohydrates that break down in the mouth, such as sucrose and refined sugars, can harm teeth. What should I do about snacking? It is important to have your child snack only in moderation, because children often do not brush after snacking. It is recommended by AAPD to limit snacking to twice a day, mainly because of the trapped food particles almost always remain on tooth surface after snacking. If you are having hard time with your child in reducing snacks, try giving alternative snacks which can help fight cavities: Cheese, nuts, vegetables, and fruits. Studies have shown that these foods stimulate saliva production which washes away dirty stuff on teeth. How do I motivate my child into good brushing habit? First, you have to be a role model. Make your child notice that you always keep your regular dental visits and brush and floss diligently at home twice a day. Then, brush together with your child as having a company motivates your child. In addition to having this family ritual, add fun by making it interactive. Let your child brush your teeth that are huge to them and vice versa. Finally, do not forget to praise them for their effort and work. No matter how young your little ones may be, they know and appreciate when their parents are cheering them on. What does flossing do for teeth? Bacteria causing tooth decay lingers between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach and clean. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from gum lines and between teeth. Flossing should start when teeth begin to touch each other and / or anytime you see food trapped between teeth. How much fluoride is appropriate for my child? Is too much fluoride bad? Fluoride is found in food, drinking water, and toothpaste. Your child's average fluoride intake needs to be checked by your pediatric dentist. If your child is found to be deficient in consuming fluoride, your child will receive fluoride supplement. Excessive fluoride in your child can manifest as fluorosis, where teeth get multiple white spots of high mineral deposits. This usually happens when a child takes in toothpaste on a regular basis. What are sealants and does it hurt to have them? Studies show that well more than half the cavities in children between ages of 5 to 17 are found on deep pits and grooves of tooth’s chewing surface. Unfortunately, fluoride, a major anti-cavity mineral, only protects the smooth surface, so the groovy surface needs another protection called a "sealant". Sealants are opaque or clear plastic applied to the fissures painlessly to keep out food and germs. Although sealants can last long time, they should be checked at follow-up visits by your dentist to see if they need to be repaired or replaced. What do I do with a loose baby tooth? Have the child play dentist by wiggling out their own baby tooth, if willing and the tooth does not bother your child. Should the child have pain on chewing or difficult time wiggling out, bring the child immediately to your pediatric dentist. How can I protect my child’s teeth during sporting events? Soft plastic mouth protector or guard can protect your child’s teeth. Its additional benefits include protection of his jaws and head from injuries. My kid wears braces. Can she use a mouth guard? Yes. A mouth guard is more essential for children wearing braces. A blow to the face could damage the brackets and soft tissue inside the mouth. Consult your child’s pediatric dentist choosing a mouth guard that fits her the best. A mouth guard typically covers the upper teeth. A mouth guard covering the lower teeth can also be fabricated. What does it mean when my child’s teeth are sensitive to hot and cold? It can mean anything from tooth decay, chipped tooth, or broken filling to damaged teeth from grinding. Any dental treatment also can inflame nerve inside teeth making them sensitive. Consult your pediatric dentist for its diagnosis and appropriate treatment. What is Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas, and is it safe? Nitrous Oxide has many names: sweet gas, laughing gas, or calming gas. It is a sweet smelling gas and often induces laughter, but most importantly it is anxiolytic or relives anxiety. It is used for mildly nervous or anxious children. It is a safe procedure and after the treatment it allows patients to be able to continue with their normal daily activity. What is Conscious Oral Sedation? Is it sate? Conscious oral sedation is a management technique that uses a fruit-flavored liquid medicine that is both anxiolytic and muscle relaxant. It is often supplemented with nitrous oxide. It is helpful for those who have a moderate level of fear and anxiety that prevent them from cooperating for the delivery of dental care. It is a safe procedure in the hands of a trained and experienced pediatric dentist. What is General Anesthesia or IV sedation? Is it safe? General Anesthesia is the state of sleep where most of the sensations are absent. The child will be sleeping during the treatment and will be waking up afterwards, not remembering. It is very helpful for children with severe anxiety and / or inability to cooperate. It is a safe treatment in the hands of a certified and experienced anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist takes all the safety measures with visual vital signs and monitors.