Dental FAQ

Pediatric dentists care for children of all ages as well as patients with special needs. Pediatric dentists have 2-3 years of specialized training caring for young children and adolescents.

Research has shown that mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing their cavity-causing bacteria to their children. Additionally, periodontal disease can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that all pregnant women continue to visit the dentist during pregnancy. To delay bacterial transmission, expectant mothers should visit their dentist regularly, brush and floss daily, and maintain a healthy diet.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that a child have their first dental examination at the time of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age.

Your child’s first tooth will typically erupt between 6 and 12 months of age, although it can come in earlier. Usually, the two lower front teeth – the central incisors – erupt first, followed by four upper front teeth – called the central and lateral incisors. Your child should have their first full set of teeth by their third birthday.

Most children have 20 primary, or baby teeth. Typically, there are 10 upper teeth and 10 lower teeth. In the adult dentition there are 32 permanent teeth, 16 in the upper jaw and 16 in the lower jaw.

The last teeth to develop are the third molars, better known as “wisdom teeth”. These teeth generally begin to erupt between the ages of 17 and 21. Due to these teeth being located so far back in the mouth, they often are not needed for chewing and can be difficult to clean. It may be recommended that these teeth are removed to prevent any problems in the future.

Although all of your child’s primary teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth, these teeth are still important to take care of. Primary teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. If the primary teeth are lost too soon, whether from tooth decay or an injury, the permanent teeth can come in misaligned, leading to the need for future orthodontic treatment. Keeping your child’s baby teeth healthy and free of decay can support healthy, cavity-free adult teeth. Healthy primary teeth also support a child’s speech development and chewing.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, or Early childhood caries, most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected. It is caused by the continuous exposure of a baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. This can happen when a baby is put to bed with a bottle. Early signs of baby bottle tooth decay are white spots on the surface of teeth near the gum line and tooth sensitivity. More severe symptoms can appear in advanced stages of baby bottle tooth decay and include: brown or black spots on teeth, bleeding or swollen gums, and bad breath. If your child shows any of these symptoms, you need to see a pediatric dentist to prevent further, more complicated problems from occurring.

• Have your infant should finish their bottle before going to bed.
• Clean your baby’s gums after each meal.
• Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.

If your child fractures their tooth, try to find the broken piece. Our dentists may be able to bond it back on. You can store the tooth fragment in milk or water until your child sees the dentist. If your child knocks out an adult tooth, hold the tooth by the crown. Rinse the tooth briefly in water and place the tooth back into its original place. Do not touch the root. If the tooth cannot be placed back into the mouth, you can store the tooth in cold milk. If milk is not available, you may use the child’s saliva to store the tooth. You must visit the dentist immediately. If the knocked out tooth is a baby tooth, do not place the tooth back in the mouth.

If your child cuts their tongue, cheek, or lip, and the wound starts bleeding, you can usually stop the bleeding by applying pressure, with clean gauze, to the affected area. If you cannot stop the bleeding, call your pediatric dentist, or visit the emergency room. If your child has an open oral wound for a long time, they can be susceptible to infection.

If your child has a toothache, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Our pediatric dentists can help determine the cause of the pain and help alleviate the pain.

Bruxism is more commonly known as teeth-grinding. It affects 3 in 10 children. Teeth-grinding usually occurs when children are asleep, and it can become a problem if left unchecked. Bruxism can wear down tooth enamel, reinforce improper bite patterns, and leave teeth more susceptible to decay. Bruxism can also cause headaches, earaches, facial pain, and jaw problems.

If your child’s teeth-grinding is ongoing, our dentists may recommend a night guard to protect your child’s teeth.

Thumb sucking, finger sucking, and pacifier use are habits common in many children. Nearly one-third of all children suck on their thumbs, fingers, or pacifiers in their first year of life. Thumb sucking, finger sucking, and pacifier use can negatively affect the development of the mouth. These habits can affect the alignment of teeth and alter the shape of the palate. Our dentists can give you guidance as to the appropriate timing of intervention and what options are available to stop these habits.

While it is common for children to breathe through their mouths on occasion (when they are congested, have a cold, or are involved in strenuous activities), breathing through the mouth all the time, including when you’re sleeping, can result in dry mouth, bad breath, sleep disorders, and can affect the alignment of the teeth and the development of facial structures.

If your child is suffering from these symptoms, we can help determine the underlying causes and may refer your child to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) doctor for further evaluation.

A variety of factors can make one more susceptible to decay. Some things we recommend to help reduce your child’s risk of cavities are having a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. We also recommend that you have your child drink more water, and help them brush twice a day and floss daily to lower their risk of decay. Lastly, make sure your child visits the pediatric dentist every six months for routine checkups and preventative care.

It’s never too early to begin a healthy oral care routine. You can begin caring for your infant’s gums before their first tooth erupts, which is usually around 6 months of age. Clean your infant’s gums, or their first teeth, by simply using a warm, wet washcloth. When your child has more baby teeth, you can switch from a washcloth to a toothbrush.
When it comes to using toothpaste, kids ages 2-3 should use a rice grain-sized amount, while kids ages 3 and up should use a pea-sized amount. Your child should brush their teeth twice a day.
Flossing is also important for baby teeth. Flossing helps remove the plaque and food debris that can become lodged between teeth. Try to floss your child’s teeth daily.

• Have your infant finish their bottle before going to bed.
• Clean your baby’s gums after each meal.
• Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.
• If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.

Your child’s diet is very important for developing and maintaining strong and healthy teeth. It is helpful to include good sources of calcium in your child’s diet to help build strong teeth and bones. Children should also eat a variety of foods including grains, fruits, protein, and vegetables. These are excellent snacking alternatives to chips and crackers. Starchy carbohydrates like potato chips and crackers can stick to teeth and cause plaque buildup, which can lead to cavities.

Think of a tooth’s chewing surfaces as mountains with many pits and grooves. When your child eats, food gets caught in these areas. Although daily brushing is essential, applying a dental sealant will help keep these hard-to-reach areas clean. Dental sealants are painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, usually premolars and molars, to prevent cavities. Sealants act as a barrier and allow food to glide smoothly over the tooth to help promote good oral hygiene and reduce the risk of cavities.

Fluoride is a mineral found in all natural water sources such as lakes, rivers, and even the ocean. Fluoride is also added to most public water supplies, so the tap water in your home may have fluoride added to it. Fluoride helps build tooth enamel which helps protect your teeth from decay. The ADA recognizes the use of fluoride and community water fluoridation as safe and effective in preventing tooth decay for both children and adults.