WHAT IS A CHILDREN’S OR A KID’S DENTIST?
A children’s or kid’s dentist is someone who specializes in children’s dental or oral health. Young kids and pre-teens are strongly advised to visit their dentist regularly in order to be guided of their dental growth and development. A regular check-up can detect dental problems early so they can be treated before they get worst. This is the specialty of a children’s dentist. back to top
YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT
As advised by pediatricians and experts of children’s oral health and care, the child needs to visit the dentist for the first time between the first time the first tooth appears and their first birthday. Many parents don’t realize this, however, this is a foundation of a lifetime of good dental health. This is important because it gives the dentist and hygienist a chance to see the teeth before decay sets in. Surprisingly, if you wait until 2 or 3 years of age, there may already be some decay.
We usually complete a full dental exam, cleaning and fluoride treatment when your child is 3 years old. We offer free consultations for your children ages one and two. Let us know if you have any concerns. back to top
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DDS AND A DMD?
In the United States, dentists have the initials DMD or DDS after their name. Some people find this confusing and ask what is the difference between the two. Actually there is no difference, it’s only the name. All dental degree and the education are the same. DMD stands Doctor of Dental Medicine and DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery. back to top
WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE OR GUM DISEASE?
Periodontal (gum) disease is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It’s typically caused by poor brushing and flossing habits that allow plaque—a sticky film of bacteria—to build up on the teeth and harden. In advanced stages, periodontal disease can lead to sore, bleeding gums; painful chewing problems; and even tooth loss. back to top
WHAT IS TRENCHMOUTH?
Trench mouth is a painful and severe gum infection. Poor oral hygiene can produce a lot of bacteria in the mouth resulting to the infection. Causes of trench mouth include lack of sleep, stress and even poor nutrition. Smokers are more likely to have trench mouth as compared to non-smokers.. back to top
WHAT IS A DENTAL CROWN?
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over a tooth which covers the tooth to restore its shape and size, strength, and/or to improve its appearance. The crowns, when cemented into place, fully encase the entire visible portion of a tooth that lies at and above the gum line.back to top
WHAT IS DRY MOUTH?
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia. In simple terms it means reduced flow of saliva. Our mouth needs to have enough saliva to wash away the food debris and reduce plaque by neutralizing the acids which the plaques are producing. Tooth decay, gingivitis, and other gum diseases often occur if dry mouth is left untreated.
Other common problems associated with dry mouth are:
Burning sensation in the mouth
Difficulty speaking
Dry nasal passages
Problems with swallowing
Hoarseness
Problems with speaking
Persistent sore throat
If you are suffering from dry mouth, contact your dentist for proper medication. You might be advised to take saliva substitutes, sugar free gum and candy can also help in increasing saliva flow. back to top
WHY ARE PRIMARY (BABY) TEETH IMPORTANT?
To make it simple, primary teeth are important because they are crucial for:
Proper chewing and eating
Speaking and speech development
Jaw development
Self-esteem
They are also important to guide the growth of permanent teeth and aligning them to the correct position.. back to top
IMPORTANCE OF DENTAL X-RAYS
Dental X-Rays are important for your dental diagnosis because without it, some dental conditions can and will be missed. There are many microorganisms that hide deep between the teeth and gums. Without the utilization of X-Rays in dental diagnosis, many potential harmful conditions on your teeth and gums will go undetected which would later develop into diseases. In order for dentists to give you accurate and proper diagnosis, they need to know the exact conditions of your teeth and gums, and this is where the dental X-rays come into play. back to top
WHAT IS TOOTH EROSION?
Tooth erosion is the wearing away of tooth enamel by acid. The enamel is the hard calcified tissue that covers and protects the outside of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in our bodies.
The saliva in our mouth contains calcium which helps to strengthen and remineralize the teeth, however, remineralization can not occur when a great deal of acid is present. back to top
WHAT IS GINGIVITIS?
Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease, which can be treated and reversed if diagnosed early. The signs and symptoms are red, swollen and puffy gums that bleed easily. If treatment is not received, gingivitis could progress into periodontitis, an advanced and more serious stage of gum disease which includes bone loss and is not reversible. Gum disease is one of the main causes of tooth loss in adults and has also been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, regular dental checkups and dental cleanings are the best preventions against gum disease. back to top
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BRUSH MY TEETH?
According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing your teeth helps to remove plaque which causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease.
Always use a soft bristled toothbrush with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Make sure that the toothbrush fits inside of your mouth so that you can easily reach all areas. When brushing, use gentle back and forth strokes, brushing all sides of the teeth in a circular fashion. Always brush your tongue to remove any bacteria and keep your breath fresh. back to top
WHAT IS A PROSTHODONTIST?
A prosthodontist is a dental specialist who is skilled in the replacement of missing teeth and the restoration of natural teeth. A prosthodontist has graduated from dental school and usually will have three or more years of continuing education after that.
This type of dental specialist is trained to deal with complicated and simple restorations of the whole mouth as well as treating facial deformities. Common procedures treated by a prosthodontist may include dentures, partial dentures, fixed bridges, crowns, implants, veneers and more. back to top
WHAT IS A DENTAL IMPLANT?
A dental implant is a metal device designed to replace the missing teeth. The device is usually made out of titanium and is surgically placed into the jawbone where the tooth is missing.
A dental implant serves as the tooth root and can anchor an artificial tooth or teeth such as a crown, bridge or denture. back to top
WHAT IS A VENEER?
A veneer is a thin shell made out of porcelain or composite material which is used to treat certain dental problems such as slightly crooked tooth, teeth discoloration, chipped teeth or they can even be used to cover spaces between the teeth. They are custom made and cemented to the front side of the tooth. A dentist can make a veneer in his laboratory but the materials used will depend on the preference of the dentist.
WHAT IS A PERIODONTIST?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in gum diseases. To get a dental degree, one must undergo 4 years in dental school but a periodontist has completed an additional 3 years in specialty training in diagnosing, preventing and treating gum diseases. Periodontists can also place dental implants as well as perform cosmetic periodontal treatments. A periodontal evaluation is sometimes the only way to detect gum disease. Your dentist can refer you to a periodontist, or you can make your own appointment for an evaluation. back to top
WHAT IS AN ORAL SURGEON?
Maxillofacial surgeons commonly known as oral surgeons are dentist who not only finished 4 years in dental school but have also completed at least 4 years in surgical hospital residency. Oral surgeons specialize in diagnosis, treatment of injuries and diseases of the mouth, jaw, teeth, gums, neck and other soft tissue of the head. back to top
WHAT ARE RETAINERS?
Retainers are custom-made orthodontic devices usually made of wires or clear plastic that hold teeth in position after surgery or any method of realigning teeth. Retainers are most often used before or after dental braces to hold teeth in position or helping them adjust the alignment of the surrounding gums to changes in the bone. At first, patients are usually required to wear them during the night or even the day but sooner or later the frequency of using retainers will depend on the recommendation of the dentist. Retainers should not be worn while eating food and drinking staining or acidic drinks and beverages. back to top
WHAT IS A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
A pediatric dentist is a dentist whose specialty is dentistry for babies or infants. He is someone who completed 4 years training in dental school and also completed additional 2-3 years in specialty training to treat children only.
Many general dentists treat children as well as adults, but a pediatric dentist only treats babies and children. Pediatric dentists also provide dental care for the handicapped. The goal of a pediatric dentist is to teach children the importance of oral hygiene, how to take care of their teeth and to help children feel comfortable about visiting the dentist.
Many pediatric dentists do not allow parents to go back in the treatment rooms with the children. If this is a big issue for you, be sure to ask this question if you are looking for a pediatric dentist. back to top
WHAT IS AN ENDODONTIST?
An endodontist is dental specialist that has completed 4 years of dental school along with an additional 2 or more years of specialty training in endodontics or root canals. In other words, an endodontist is a root canal specialist.
With the lengthy education that an endodontist receives, they are able to perform all aspects of root canal therapy including routine as well as complex root canals, retreatments and endodontic surgery. back to top
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I FLOSS MY TEETH?
You should floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing in between your teeth removes food debris and plaque from in between the teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque causes tooth decay and can lead to gum disease. Another great reason to floss is that recent studies have shown that flossing helps to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
When flossing, be sure to gently insert the floss in between the teeth, without snapping, which could damage the gum tissue. Gently move the floss up and down into the spaces between the gum and teeth. Floss the sides of all of your teeth, even if there isn’t a tooth next to another one. There are a number of dental products available that are designed to make flossing easier, such as disposable dental flossers. back to top
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY TOOTHBRUSH?
Adults and children should change their toothbrush every 3 months because they become worn out and are not as effective as they once were. Exceptions to this would be if you were using an electric toothbrush, and the manufacturer states otherwise. Some electric rechargable toothbrushes have very good brush heads that only need to be changed every 6 months. If you have gum disease, you should change your toothbrush every 4 – 6 weeks because bacteria can harbor in the bristles. You should always rinse your toothbrush out with hot water after every use and change it after you have been sick. back to top
WHAT IS AN ABSCESSED TOOTH?
An abscess of the tooth is an infection which includes pus and swelling of the soft gum tissues surrounding the tooth. A simple tooth decay, tooth trauma or broken tooth can result to an abscess. An opening of the tooth enamel such as cavity can cause the bacteria to get in and infect the pulp (center) of the tooth which then results to an abscess.
Abscess should not be taken likely as infection can from the mouth through the body. You may opt to have a root canal because it is the only option you have to save the tooth from the abscess infection. If you believe that you are having an abscessed tooth, see your dentist for immediate treatment. back to top
THUMB SUCKING
Thumb sucking is a natural behavior found in humans especially in babies and young children.
In most cases, the child places his thumb into his mouth and rhythmically repeating sucking contact for a prolonged duration. Thumb sucking can also be considered to be soothing and therapeutic for the person and can also induce sleeping.
Children suck on objects (including pacifiers) to soothe themselves; sucking is one of a baby’s natural reflexes and completely typical for babies and young children. As a child develops the habit, it will usually develop a “favorite” finger to suck on, in much the same way it develops a favorite hand to write with. It is not known if the preference for a hand to suck on affects handedness in any way, or vice versa.
Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop. Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric dentist.
Tips on how to stop thumb sucking:
Give your child extra attention and observe if conflicts or anxiety provoke thumb sucking. If so, help him find more healthful ways to deal with stress.
Reward your child for progress made towards her goal. Don’t think of it as a bribe because it’s something she earned through effort.
Paint something that taste bad on his thumb, like vinegar or pickle juice. Don’t do it forcefully or without his permission, but as a way of helping him achieve his goal. Then when he’s engaged in television and sticks his thumb in his mouth out of habit, the bad taste will quickly remind him of what he’s trying to accomplish.
Distract your child when you see her putting her thumb in her mouth. If you engage her in an activity that requires both hands, she’ll have to take her thumb out of her mouth to do the task.
Invite friends over that don’t suck their thumbs for frequent play dates. Peer pressure is a powerful motivator and if he surrounds himself with kids who don’t suck their thumbs, it will be easier for him to not suck his. back to top
PROPER CARE FOR YOUR CHILD’S TEETH
It is strongly advised to practice proper dental hygiene even before your child’s first tooth comes out. You can prevent the growth of bacteria by whipping your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after feeding. When the first teeth appear, it is advisable to use soft children’s toothbrush twice a day. As your child reaches 6 months old, your doctor may also prescribe you to add fluoride tablets on your tap water as they can harden the tooth enamel. As the child reaches 4-5 years of age, they can brush their teeth twice a day with your supervision.
Brushing your child’s teeth proper helps remove plaques in all surfaces. Teach your children to brush their teeth properly by placing the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle, starting along the gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria. back to top
DIET CAN AFFECT YOUR CHILD’S DENTAL HEALTH
Your child’s diet can affect their teeth. As a caring parent, avoid your child from eating sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks. Limiting sweet snacks and drinks between meals can help prevent cavities. Kids should have meals and snacks at regular times. However, there are snacks that are friendly for the teeth, these includes vegetables, fruits, cheese and crackers.
Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child’s dental health. When liquid from a bottle–like milk and juice–stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a condition called bottle mouth. Your baby’s teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle. Don’t let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday. back to top
TIPS ON PREVENTING CAVITIES
Proper diet and brushing of teeth removes bacteria from left over food. These are good ways of preventing cavities. For infants, use a clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. Everyone should see the dentist twice a year. Have your doctor or dentist show you the right way to brush your child’s teeth.
Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months beginning from his/her first birthday as recommended by experts for children dentistry. As your child grows, it is also recommended to have a routine visit to a dentist to maintain a lifetime of good dental health. Your child’s dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces. back to top
YOUR CHILD’S TOOTH ERUPTION
Your child’s teeth start developing before birth. Tooth eruption happens in the tooth development stage in which the teeth enter the mouth and become visible. The primary teeth or baby teeth start to become visible in the mouth around 6 months until 2 years of age. These teeth are the lower central incisors which will soon be followed by the upper central incisors. These are the only teeth that can be found in the mouth until the child reaches 6 years of age. At this time, the first permanent tooth, started by the molars, will erupt which results to a combination of primary and permanent teeth. This stage is called the mixed stage and lasts until the last primary tooth is lost. Then, the remaining permanent teeth erupt into the mouth. back to top
TONGUE PIERCING – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For many people who love fashion and art, tongue piercing looks cool but for many doctors, dentist and other health experts, it is a risky work of art. First and foremost, one should understand that the risks and the damage it can cause are real. Anyone who has tongue pierce should take proper care of his piercings to lessen the risks of getting infection.
Some of the health risks associated with tongue piercing:
Infection. Without proper care, infection can lead to scarring and even blood poisoning. Infections of piercings are unattractive and can be very dangerous.
Allergic Reaction. Some people are sensitive to certain metals and only discover this when they are pierced and have a severe reaction to the jewelry. The rash, swelling, and difficulty breathing can lead to shock and hospitalization.
Nerve Damage. If a piercing isn’t placed carefully, it can be pushed through a nerve, severing it and making the surrounding area permanently deadened to any feeling.
Excessive Bleeding. This is just what it sounds like. If you get pierced and happen to hit a large blood vessel, you could have difficulty stopping the bleeding and may end up in the emergency room getting it cauterized. Not pretty.
Risk of Cross-Contamination. You may become cross-contaminated by Hepatitis, the HIV virus, or another blood-borne pathogen is you are pierced by improperly sterilized needles. back to top
WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?
Bad breath or halitosis is caused by eating food that causes foul breath such as garlic, onion, etc, poor dental hygiene, decayed tooth or infection of the gums or oral cavity, diseases like diabetes, esophageal diverticulum, esophageal reflux, sinusitis, emphysema, etc. But the most common cause is poor dental hygiene where care of the teeth and mouth is neglected. There are people who do not brush their teeth at all and go to bed at night with food particles stuck in between their teeth.
They may gargle and rinse their mouth with water (or water and salt) after each meal, or even use mouthwash, but the food caught in between their teeth (especially meat and fish) rot and stink like dead animals on the street. This is putrefaction and the foul smelling odor is from the sulfur compounds produced by the decaying meat, which usually results in bacterial infection (and more bad odor), and this makes the cycle a vicious one.
Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months beginning from his/her first birthday as recommended by experts for children dentistry. As your child grows, it is also recommended to have a routine visit to a dentist to maintain a lifetime of good dental health. Your child’s dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces. back to top
HOW TO SEAL OUT TOOTH DECAY
The dentist will place a sealant which is a clear or shaded plastic material on your child’s chewing surfaces of the back portion of the teeth which are the premolars and molars. This is the most common place where 4 out of 5 cavities in children are found. The sealant will block the unprotected areas, also blocks the food, plaques and acid therefore protecting the areas that re prone to decay. back to top
TOBACCO AND SMOKING – ABSOLUTELY BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH
The effects of smoking on human health are serious and in many cases, deadly. There are approximately 4000 chemicals in cigarettes, hundreds of which are toxic. The ingredients in cigarettes affect everything from the internal functioning of organs to the efficiency of the body’s immune system. The effects of cigarette smoking are destructive and widespread.
What Is Smokeless Tobacco?
Smokeless tobacco, also called spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, chaw, dip, plug, and probably a few other things, comes in two forms: snuff and chewing tobacco.
Snuff is a fine-grain tobacco that often comes in teabag-like pouches that users “pinch” or “dip” between their lower lip and gum. Chewing tobacco comes in shredded, twisted, or “bricked” tobacco leaves that users put between their cheek and gum. Whether it’s snuff or chewing tobacco, you’re supposed to let it sit in your mouth and suck on the tobacco juices, spitting often to get rid of the saliva that builds up. This sucking and chewing allows nicotine, which is a drug you can become addicted to, to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the tissues in your mouth. You don’t even need to swallow.
Effects of Smokeless
Increased heart rate caused by nicotine in the blood stream releasing hormones (such as adrenaline).
Increased blood pressure caused by nicotine in the blood stream. Can cause irregular heart beats as well.
Constricted blood vessels: nicotine constricts the blood vessels, slowing down the circulation of oxygen-rich blood to the organs.
Cancer of the mouth (including the lip, tongue, and cheek): mouth cancer is 1 of the 10 most common cancers in the world. The risk of mouth cancer is four times greater for the smokeless tobacco user. It is particularly high where the tobacco is placed.
Cancer of the throat: the risk of oral cancer is up to 50 times greater for the person who chews tobacco. The longer smokeless tobacco is used, the greater the risk.
Discoloration of teeth: the products in smokeless tobacco permanently stain teeth.
Halitosis: Bad breath caused by chewing tobacco is socially unacceptable and offensive.
Gum recession: The direct and repeated contact of tobacco with the gum tissue causes the gums to recede from the teeth. This eventually can lead to the loss of teeth.
Tooth decay: Smokeless tobacco contains high quantities of sugar. This sugar mixed with the plaque on your teeth forms acids that eat away at the tooth’s enamel, causing cavities. back to top
DO TEETH WHITENING TOOTHPASTES REALLY WORK?
Whitening toothpastes contain a small amount of abrasives to remove surface stains from your teeth and they may have some additional polishing formulas and special chemicals which are more effective in removing stains compared to regular toothpastes. Whitening toothpastes do not actually bleach your teeth, they just make it look a little bright by removing the stains.
Teeth whitening toothpastes are ideal for people who smoke, drink coffee and tea and eat certain foods that can stain your teeth. Teeth whitening toothpastes are also good to use after you have undergone a teeth whitening procedure to keep surface stains from building up on your teeth.
If you decide to use a teeth whitening toothpaste, be sure that it contains fluoride for extra protection against tooth decay.
BABY BOTTLE TOOTH DECAY (EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES)
This is a dental condition that occurs in children between 18 months and 3 years of age as a result of being given a bottle at bedtime, resulting in prolonged exposure of the teeth to milk or juice. Caries (tooth decay) are formed because pools of milk or juice in the mouth break down to lactic acid and other decay-causing substances.
Your child should not –
Go to bed with a bottle filled with milk, formula, juice or sweetened drink
Sleep at night at the breast
Drink from a bottle throughout the day
Use a pacifier if it is dipped in honey, syrup or anything sweet, such as Jello™ water, soda pop, fruit juice, Kool-Aid™, sugar water, milk or formula
Your child should not –
Start drinking from a cup at 6 months of age and be weaned from his or her bottle by 1 year of age
Go to bed without a bottle. If your child must have a bottle to sleep, fill it with plain water. You may need to mix the drink in the bottle with water, a little more Water each night, until your child is drinking plain water.
Have his or her teeth cleaned after each feeding with a clean washcloth, gauze pad or a soft infant toothbrush. It is very important to clean your baby’s teeth before bedtime! back to top
WHEN DO BABIES START TEETHING?
Babies are born with a full set of 20 primary teeth, lying in wait under the surface of the gums. The teething process usually starts between four to seven months, according the American Academy of Pediatrics, and most commonly the first tooth begins to emerge just before the sixth month. Most children gain their first tooth between the ages of six months and nine months. It has happened in some children that the first pearly white didn’t break through until ten or eleven months, but the majority start cutting an incisor around six months or so. Some children will cut earlier than that, even as early as four months, but it is rare. back to top
WHAT ARE TMJ DISORDERS?
The pain, discomfort or tenderness you feel in or around the temporomandibular joints are referred to as TMJ disorders.
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
Tenderness or pain in the face
Pain in the jaw
Pain in or around the ear
Pain in the neck area
Stiffness in jaw
Chewing discomfort
Difficulty chewing
Headaches
Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
Locking of the jaw
Painful clicking of the jaw
Teeth that don’t come together properly when eating or chewing
It’s also important to note that some clicking of the jaw is normal and that other problems can cause facial pain, such as sinus, headaches and earaches.
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FLUORIDE
Fluoride is one of the elements that can be found naturally in the Earth’s crust. It can be found in drinking water, toothpaste, mouth washes, beverages and foods, and it can also be taken as a supplement. The right amount of fluoride provides lots of benefits for the teeth.
Benefits of Fluoride
1. Promotes remineralization of the teeth.
Demineralization is when tooth decay occurs when acids and bacteria break down the hard enamel of the tooth. With the presence of fluoride in a person’s saliva, the fluoride will attract other minerals such as calcium, which in turn, helps speed up the process of remineralization, which builds a back-up of the tooth structure that was damaged due to decay).
This is why it is important to brush your teeth at least 3 times a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride, than brushing with a non-fluoridated toothpaste or only brushing once a day. Drinking tap water that contains fluoride is also better than drinking non-fluoridated bottled water.
2. Resistance to decay.
When the teeth start the remineralization process, it begins to repair the damage caused by the tooth decay. The teeh become stronger than they were before. The compound that is formed during the remineralization process is much harder and more resistant to the acids that cause tooth decay.
3. Fluoride slows down the formation of acids that cause tooth decay.
As humans eat and drink, we produce waste and so goes the same with bacteria. The waste that bacteria produces from eating sugars and starches, is an acid which damages the hard enamel on our teeth which will result to tooth decay. The presence of fluoride interferes with the bacteria’s ability to process sugars and starches. As a result, less acid is produced.
Fluoride should be consumed and used in moderation. Fluoride found in public water is regularly monitored to ensure that the fluoride remains at a safe level. Whenever brushing your teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, use a small amount of toothpaste, (about the size of green pea), and rinse and spit thoroughly. Choose a fluoride mouthwash, rinse, and toothpaste that is labeled with the American Dental Associations “Seal of Approval”. Any product carrying this Seal means that the product has been tested and the fluoride content has been found to be at a safe and effective level. Consult with your dentist and/or physician before taking any fluoride supplements.
Too little or no fluoride at all will not help in strengthening the teeth and fighting against cavities. Too much fluoride ingestion by kids can also lead to dental fluorosis which results to a chalky white or brown discoloration on the permanent teeth. Sometimes children get too much fluoride than their parents realize. Parents should be careful on the potential sources of fluoride so that the possibility of acquiring dental fluorosis will be prevented.
Some of these sources are:
Children have too much fluoridated toothpaste at a young age
Improper use or supplementation of fluoride
Hidden sources of fluoride in the child’s diet.
Young kids at around 2-3 years of age might not be able to spit out fluoride-containing toothpaste when brushing their teeth which can result to excessive ingestion of fluoride when brushing. Toothpaste ingestion during this critical period of permanent tooth development is the greatest risk factor in the development of fluorosis.
Improper use or supplementation of fluoride can also result to dental fluorosis. Intants less than 6 months old should not b given fluoride drops and tablets or even fortified vitamins. After that time, fluoride supplements should only be given to children after all of the sources of ingested fluoride have been accounted for and upon the recommendation of your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Some foods have high content levels of fluoride such as powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach and infant chicken products. Read the label carefully or contact the manufacturer. Even some beverages have high fluoride content levels. These drinks includes but not limited to white grape juices, decaffeinated teas and juice drinks which are manufactured in fluoridated cities. Another source of fluoride can be found in soft drinks at fast food restaurants, when blending the syrup and carbonation with the city water supply.
Parents can take the following steps to decrease the risk of fluorosis in their children’s teeth:
Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young child.
Place only a pea sized drop of children’s toothpaste on the brush when brushing.
Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride before requesting fluoride supplements from your child’s physician or pediatric dentist.
Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until they are at least 6 months old.
Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water before giving fluoride supplements to your child (check with local water utilities).back to top
WHAT IS TOOTH SENSITIVITY?
A person has tooth sensitivity if he feels pain or experience discomfort in his teeth from sweets, cold air, hot and cold drinks or ice cream. This is a common problem for millions of people. Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. The good news is that sensitive teeth can be treated. back to top
WHAT IS A BIOPSY?
A biopsy is the process of removing a small piece of tissue for a pathologist to determine, under microscopic examination, if it is cancerous. A soft tissue biopsy is the most common type of biopsy used in detecting oral cancer. back to top
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?
Developing malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
Stage I – Early Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages 2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful and many times, though not always, can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II – Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12 years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns deal with jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III – Adolescent Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.
Because the early signs of oral cancer usually are not painful, people often ignore them. If it’s not caught in the early stages, oral cancer can require extensive, sometimes disfiguring, surgery. Even worse, it can kill.
Help your child avoid tobacco in any form. By doing so, they will avoid bringing cancer-causing chemicals in direct contact with their tongue, gums and cheek. back to top
THE BEST TOOTHPASTE FOR YOUNG KIDS
Although tooth brushing and toothpastes are essential for good oral health, there are some toothpastes and tooth polishes and mouthwashes that are harmful. They contain harsh abrasives which can wear away young tooth enamel. If you are looking for a toothpaste that is safe for your child, be sure to look for the ones that are recommended by the American Dental Association. These toothpastes have been tested to ensure that they contain safe fluoride levels and they are safe to use.
Children should not swallow the tooth paste, they should spit it out after brushing their teeth to avoid too much fluoride ingestion which could result to fluorosis. If your child is too young or unable to spit out toothpaste, consider providing them with fluoride free toothpaste, using no toothpaste, or using only a “pea size” amount of toothpaste. back to top
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
Toothache – wash and clean the affected area thoroughly. Use a floss to remove any particle lodged between teeth. Also learn flossing from a dentist. Take a pain relieving tablet. Apply benzocaine containing antiseptic, applying clove oil also might help. Do not place aspirin directly against the gums because might lead to burning of gum tissue.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip or Cheek – Apply ice or cold compress to the affected area to minimize swelling. If there is bleeding, apply firm and gentle pressure with a cloth. If bleeding does not stop or is still uncontrollable after 15 minutes, take your child to the hospital emergency room for proper medication and treatment.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth – Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root portion. You may rinse the tooth but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth. The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth. back to top
For more information, call us at 719-531-7111 or 719-531-7112 or you may email us at info@dentalescape.com