Category: Children’s Dentistry

It is no persons favorite thing to hear they are not brushing good enough at their dental check-up. Hearing that you have a cavity is even worse! We asked our hygienist, Valerie to give us some tips to avoid spending more time than you bargained for at the dentist.   Use the right size tooth brush.  Children and adults with small mouths should use a smaller brush head. A toothbrush that is too big may not be able to reach all of the tooth surfaces in your mouth. We recommend soft or extra soft toothbrushes. Bristles that are too stiff can Read More →

X-rays are needed to detect decay in areas that cannot be visualized. X-rays are also used to detect bone loss, infections, cysts, and tumors. In addition to X-rays, a dental exam is the only way to determine if you have dental problems such as cavities, defective fillings, cracked teeth, or oral cancer. Although hygienists are highly qualified, they are not trained to diagnose these issues. Dental disease usually worsens with time and may be extensive when finally detected. Without a dental exam and X-rays there is no way to tell if you have some of these severe dental concerns. For this reason, we Read More →

Finger or thumb sucking can be a way for children to find comfort; however, in many cases it can also affect a child’s teeth, jaw, and speech. Three of the most common affects of finger or thumb sucking are: An overbite: a protrusion of the upper front teeth. An openbite: the front teeth do not come together (accommodating the thumb or finger). Posterior crossbite: the upper teeth move inside the lower teeth. In these cases, orthodontics (braces) may be necessary to resume health and normal function. These cases can become more complex for a child who’s finger or thumb sucking habit is affecting his/her permanent Read More →

First, if the tooth is a baby tooth, DON’T plan on replanting the tooth. Replanting baby teeth can cause damage to the developing permanent tooth and is not recommended. However, if the tooth is a permanent tooth, grab the tooth by the crown (not the root) and very gently clean any debris off the tooth with water, being careful not to remove and tissue attached to the root. Next, gently insert the tooth back into the socket (you can do it!) Make sure the tooth isn’t in there backwards (easy mistake) and call your dentist ASAP. If you cannot bring Read More →

Your child’s first visit is an important one, but at what age should you bring your child in for his/her first visit? Three years old is a good time to bring your child in for his/her first dental visit. At this age many of the baby teeth have come in and should be examined. It’s always a great idea to schedule a dental appointment for your children before there are suspected problems. Let’s face it, dental offices can be scary places and most children need a couple easy visits before they will be comfortable enough to handle even a simple filling. Read More →