Category: Children’s Dentistry

What is SDF? Our office has started using a material called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to help treat tooth decay. Silver diamine fluoride can arrest dental decay because of it’s specific components.  The silver component has antibacterial properties which stop the spread of a cavity, while the fluoride component helps to remineralize tooth structure. SDF can be effective in treating dental cavities with a variety of patients, but in particular, pediatric patients. What can it be used for? Silver diamine fluoride is not for every situation, as it does not permanently cure the area of decay. In order for it Read More →

We hope our teeth last us a lifetime. Sometimes, we experience crowding, excessive wear or even jaw issues because of teeth alignment. Finger sucking, tongue thrusting and other habits can also cause teeth to malfunction. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see children and teens wearing braces. Over the years, orthodontics has advanced with a wide range of techniques and knowledge about how our teeth function, leading to better treatment options. Routinely bringing children to the dentist gives both the dentist and parents an idea of how a child’s smile is developing. Your dentist will assess not only for cavities, Read More →

A child’s first visit to the dentist is a special one, and we love to make it just that! We are often asked about the appropriate age for a child’s first dental visit. We usually say anytime is fine, if you have a dental concern. For a routine checkup, between the ages of 2.5 and 3 work well! The first dental visit consists of getting the child’s medical history, bringing them back to the exam room and familiarizing them with the dentist! A ride in the chair (even if on mom or dad’s lap) and showing our fun tools (the Read More →

Your child’s smile is bound to change throughout the years, as they transition from baby to permanent teeth. One of the most common question our Rochester family dentists get from parents is, “When will my child lose their first tooth?” The answer is not concrete. For many, the first tooth is lost between the ages of 5 and 7. Typically, the first teeth lost will be the lower, central incisors. When permanent teeth erupt, they tend to have bumps on the edge. These are called mammelons – and they are normal! As time goes on, they wear down to be Read More →

Changing dental offices can be a real pain in the ……. tooth! With so many dental offices out there, how do you choose which one is best for your family? Each office is unique in the care it provides and the atmosphere they create. Here are some things to consider when choosing your next dental home!  It’s Obvious that They Love What They Do Choose a family dental care office where you can see their passion for dentistry in everything they do. Does the dental office provide a clean, friendly and positive environment and are the staff excited to see Read More →

Did you know that over 600 million pounds of candy are sold during the week of Halloween with October 28th being the highest selling day? We all love this holiday, but there are ways to celebrate and keep those trick-or-treaters happy without the risk of tooth decay! Alternative handouts to candy: ~ for those afraid of the dark or who just enjoy lighting up the night, receiving light up glow sticks, bracelets or necklaces are fun and help parents keep track of their little ghouls. ~ small bottles of water to quench the thirst from hauling around heavy costumes and Read More →

We all know it’s best to brush, floss, use mouth-rinse etc. every day. But c’mon – it’s the real world, the kids are tired, it’s past their bed time and you’ve got about ten seconds left before you lose your cool….so what do you do? I got to thinking about this the other day – where is the biggest “bang for your buck” time-wise in cleaning your kid’s teeth? To tackle this question, I asked myself one question… “Where do I spend my day fixing kid’s cavities?” No question it’s between the two baby molars. We call these class II’s Read More →

Third molars (also known as wisdom teeth) are the four teeth located furthest back in the mouth, and are the last to develop, usually beginning around age 16. Keep in mind the age for wisdom teeth development can vary greatly; some people don’t develop wisdom teeth at all, and some develop more than four! Whether your teeth are currently causing an issue or not, your dentist may recommend you get them extracted. Wisdom teeth can be monitored by your dentist using a panorex x-ray. This x-ray identifies presence, alignment and orientation of the wisdom teeth. There are several reasons a Read More →

We understand that coming to the dentist causes a certain amount of anxiety for many of our patients, young and old alike. It may be the fear of the unknown, a difficult personal experience, or stories of a ‘bad experience’ from a friend or family member. It is our goal at Family Dentist Tree to ensure all of our patient’s feel comfortable during their appointments. We would like to offer some tips that may be helpful in preparing your child for a positive first visit to the dentist. Our dentists recommend your child’s first check-up and cleaning around age three, Read More →

Teaching your child to take care of their teeth is just one way you can show them how to take responsibility for their body.  This can be a challenge because toddlers are motivated mainly by fun and pleasure, not by health and necessity.  If you want to end your child’s resistance to brushing, your best bet is to make this chore a fun ritual for them.  They will eventually catch on that brushing their teeth is a regular and necessary part of taking care of their whole body—and they’ll enjoy doing it.  Here are some tricks you can use to Read More →