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Introduction BACK TO TOP
Your child's first teeth will begin coming in between three and sixteen months (usually around six months). The two bottom front teeth will be the first to come in and this will be followed by the four upper teeth in four to eight weeks. The timing of the eruption of the first tooth is largely influenced by genetics, so if there is a family history of getting the first tooth late, then your child will probably also get his first tooth late.
Your child will continue to get new teeth until he has all twenty of his primary teeth when he is three years old, with most children getting about four new teeth every four months. Children begin shedding their first teeth when they are around 6-7 years old, and this process is complete with the loss of the 2nd molars when he is about 11-13 years old.
Permanent teeth begin erupting at around 6-7 years of age and continues until your child gets his third molars (or wisdom teeth) when he is about 17-22 years old.
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| Sealants BACK TO TOP
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| Sealants BACK TO TOP
Today's children benefit from modern technology in medicine and dentistry. For over twenty years, 90% of our patients seen on a regular basis for preventative "checkups" have not had tooth decay!
It is attributed to three major factors:
1. Community fluoridated water.
2. Parent awareness of good dental hygiene and the importance of twice yearly preventative care.
3. The advent of sealants in the early 1960's.
Sealants are a protective plastic used to coat and seal the deep pits of molar teeth. Unlike silver fillings, no injections or drilling is necessary to place sealants. Cotton roll isolation of the molars is all that is necessary!! Four permanent molars are sealed in just a few minutes! What a fantastic method to insure that your child will grow up cavity free!!!
Our sealants have a great retention record. They have a very low incidence of wearing or chipping away. As long as you maintain six month preventative checkups on a regular basis, our office will add to any worn sealants at no charge to you for a period of two years.
Prevention is the key to good dental health. We hope you that you will find sealants a worthwhile treatment for your child.
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| Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Analges BACK TO TOP
Today, we have excellent local anesthetics that can successfully eliminate practically all discomfort involved in dentistry. However, local anesthetics cannot eliminate the nervousness, tension, and apprehension of the patient. In fact the injection of the local anesthetic itself is a cause of apprehension and anxiety in many patients.
Q. What is Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen analgesia?
A. It is a vapor which is inhaled through the nose.
Q. What does Nitrous Oxide/Oxgyen Analgesia do for the patient?
1.It relaxes
2.It eliminates fear, nervousness, and tension.
3.It eliminates most of he discomfort involved in dentistry, and the rest is dulled, so that you don't mind it.
4. It allows your child to feel WARM and SAFE.
5. Your child does not lose consciousness. He/She will be awake and responsive to what is explained.
There are no after affects. Following the dental procedure, your child can resume his/her normal daily activities.
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| Q & A BACK TO TOP
Q:
When should my child first see a dentist?
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| A:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends
that your child should visit a pediatric dentist when
the first tooth erupts. This is usually between six and
twelve months of age.
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| Q:
Why so soon?
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| A:
Pediatric dentists believe that early and regular visits
are the key to preventing dental disease. An early visit
to a pediatric dentist will prevent problems that may be
developing. One concern is baby bottle decay. Your baby
is at risk for this disease if he or she is continuously
nursing from the breast or from a bottle of juice,
formula, or milk during naptimes and bedtime. An early
visit to a children's dentist will start your child a
path of good dental health and a happy, confident smile.
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| Q:
When should I stop breast or bottle feeding my baby?
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| A:
Infants should be weaned from the breast or bottle by
the age of one year in order to prevent the occurrence
of baby bottle decay.
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| Q:
How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or a bottle?
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| A:
It is important that you do not nurse your baby to sleep
or allow the child to go to bed with a bottle of milk,
formula or juice.
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| Q:
Is thumb sucking something I should be concerned with?
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| A:
Thumb sucking is normal. In fact some babies suck their
thumbs in the womb. Most children stop sucking their
thumbs around the age of two years old. Prolonged thumb
sucking (past the age of four) may cause problems with
your child's bite, including overcrowding or crooked
teeth.
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| Q:
How soon should I start cleaning my babies mouth and/or
teeth?
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| A:
We recommend that you begin wiping your newborns gums
with a clean, soft, damp cloth. You can use a tiny bit
of toothpaste. When the baby's teeth start to come in,
use a gentle, soft toothbrush. It is important for you
to remember that most small children do not have the
dexterity to do a good job of brushing and will need
your assistance.
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| Q:
What if teething is painful?
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| A:
If you child seems to be suffering with the teething
process, you can try rubbing his/her gums with a clean
finger. Also, some babies get relief from a clean
teething ring or clean, cold wet wash cloth. |
