Kids Teeth & Pregnant Mothers

Pregnancy

Routine dental cleanings during pregnancy are not only safe but are recommended. The hormone rise during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums. Usually, I recommend pregnant mothers increase the frequency of the hygiene visits during their pregnancy, then return to their normal hygiene program after delivery. Routine dental cleanings can help you have healthier gums during your pregnancy and help reduce irritation created by swelling

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What about other regular dental work during pregnancy?

Regular dental work such as cavity fillings should be postponed until at least after the first trimester, which is the most crucial time of development for the baby. If dental work is done during pregnancy, it is best during the second trimester. Once you reach the third trimester, it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time, while dental work is done.
Regular dental work is essential to avoid any oral infections such as abscesses, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. Oral infections may become systemic infections which can adversely affect the baby. Please let us know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant at your visit. We will be happy to discuss your particular situation.

More Information on Pregnancy and Dental Awareness can be Found Here.

Kids and the Dentist

When should I bring my child for his/her first dental exam?

The American Dental Association recommends that kids start seeing a dentist by their first birthday.

Why so young, you ask? At this visit, we will explain proper brushing and flossing techniques for you, (you need to floss once your baby has two teeth that touch) and conduct a limited exam while your baby sits on your lap. We like to have them get acquainted to the dental office and staff before we actually perform treatment. When children are familiar with the office and staff, they tend to have a little less fear and anxiety as they grow older.

Good dental care starts even before a child's first tooth comes in.

Running a damp cloth over a baby's gums daily will help clear away harmful bacteria. Parents can brush their child's teeth as they come in with an infant toothbrush, using water without toothpaste. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste may be used with supervision around age 2 or 3, when kids are able to spit it out.

Early childhood Cavities

Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term -- but it can harm the baby's teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as baby bottle decay. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of baby bottle decay. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in. Plain water can used to substitute sugared beverages or formula.

Baby Bottle Decay

Fluoride

When all of your child's primary teeth have come in (usually around age 2½) we may start applying topical fluoride. Fluoride hardens the tooth enamel, helping to ward off the most common childhood oral disease, dental caries, or cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria and food that are left on the teeth after eating. When these are not brushed away, acid collects on a tooth, softening its enamel until a hole -- or cavity -- forms. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it more difficult for acid to penetrate.

Sealants

What is a dental sealant? A dental sealant is a plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Grooves in these teeth are so narrow that a toothbrush cannot fit into the spaces to remove plaque. Dental sealants prevent dental decay in the grooves. Who should get sealants? Children should receive sealants on permanent molars and premolars as soon as they erupt (about ages 6 and 12 years).

How are sealants applied? First - The tooth is etched with a mild acid to create retention for the sealant, then rinsed and air dried. Second - The liquid sealant is painted into the grooves of the teeth. Third - A high intensity light is used to activate the liquid plastic to harden.
Sealants are simple, painless, and require no drilling. While they may last up to 10 years, 2 to 4 years is a more reasonable estimate. Sealants can be highly effective in protection against cavities. Dr. Denny and the hygienist will evaluate the sealants during regular check ups and if needed they can be re-applied.

Space Maintainers for Premature Tooth Loss

Baby teeth (primary or deciduous teeth) aren't just for chewing. Each one also acts as a guide for the permanent tooth that replaces it. If a primary tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth loses its guide and can drift or erupt incorrectly into the mouth. Neighboring teeth also can move or tilt into the space, so the permanent tooth can't come in.

Primary teeth can be lost too early for several reasons:

* They can be knocked out in a fall or other accident.
* Extensive decay can require that a primary tooth be extracted.
* Primary teeth can be missing at birth.
* Some diseases or conditions can contribute to early tooth loss.

If your child loses a primary tooth before the permanent tooth is ready to come in, or if the permanent tooth is missing, Dr. Denny may decide to use a space maintainer. The maintainer keeps the space open until the permanent tooth comes in.
What are space maintainers?

Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that are custom fit to your child's mouth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days.

Why do children lose their baby teeth?

A baby tooth usually stays in place until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose a baby tooth too soon. A tooth might be knocked out accidentally or removed because of dental disease. When a tooth is lost too early, Dr. Denny may recommend a space maintainer to prevent future space loss and dental problems.

Why all the fuss? Baby teeth fall out eventually on their own!

Baby teeth are important to your child's present and future dental health. They encourage normal development of the jaw bones, muscles, and facial features. They save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. Remember: Some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 or 14 years old.

Braces

As kids grow older, their bite and the straightness of their teeth can become an issue. Orthodontic treatment begins earlier now than it once did, Kids as young as age 6 now have corrective orthodontic treatment. Manipulation of teeth at a younger age can be easier and more effective in the long run. Younger children's teeth can be positioned with relatively minor changes, thus preventing major orthodontia later on.
More information can found in a video format on our educational videos, in the kids section.

If you have any other questions or concerns please contact us for an appointment, we will be happy to answer all your questions.