Reactions to braces vary from child to child. While some kids are excited about getting their braces on and see it as an “initiation” of sorts into teenage years, still others have a lot of anxiety about braces as they worry about how they will look or feel. One thing is for sure, braces for kids are a big milestone and this orthodontic treatment will make a difference that will impact them their entire life.
As a parent of a child who might need them, you probably have your own set of concerns and questions about braces. Join us as we cover everything you need to know about kids and braces.
Why Do Some Kids Need Braces?
There are several different reasons why kids might need braces, including:
Crooked teeth
Overlapping teeth
Overcrowded teeth
A “bad bite”, which is also known as malocclusion
When there is a difference in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws, it is known as a malocclusion. In cases where the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, this is known as an overbite. In cases where the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, this is known as an underbite.
Losing baby teeth too soon can sometimes cause tooth and jaw problems that warrant braces for correction. Oral fixation habits, such as thumb sucking, can also lead to dental issues in kids. However, for the majority of cases, issues with the teeth and jaws are simply inherited and if you needed braces, it’s likely that your child will also need braces.
Identifying the Need for Braces for Kids
Your pediatric dentist will most likely be the first one to notice any alignment or bite issues during a routine examination, and they will recommend that your child sees an orthodontist. An orthodontist is a dentist who specializes in jaw/teeth alignment problems. The decision as to whether your child definitely needs braces and what devices would work are made by the orthodontist.
Some kids will see the orthodontist when they are six years old, others might not see one until they are 10, and even some won’t see one until their teen years. There is no concrete age at which your child should see an orthodontist. Sometimes even adults go to get orthodontic treatment done. However, many orthodontists recommend that your child has their first visit around age seven because by then issues like overcrowding or uneven bite should be obvious.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if you start the process early, that does not mean that the child will get braces right away. The orthodontist will assess the problems and decide when is the best time to start treatment. Sometimes they need to do things to prepare the teeth for braces, such as having an appliance installed that widens the jaw or removing teeth to create more space in the mouth.
What to Expect at First Orthodontist Visit
During the first orthodontist visit, your child will receive a thorough full mouth examination. They will have your child bite down to look for alignment issues, and ask you if your child has difficulty chewing, swallowing, and if you’ve ever heard clicking or popping sounds coming from the jaw.
At this first visit, there may be X-rays of the mouth and teeth taken in order to see how they are positioned and if there are permanent teeth that still need to come in. The orthodontist may also make a mold (impression) of your child’s teeth. This mold is created by pressing a tray of gooey material into the top and bottom teeth. Once that mold hardens, the result is an exact replica of your child’s teeth which will then be used to determine the best treatment options.
What are the Different Types of Braces?
Through the steady application of pressure on the teeth, braces eventually move the teeth into a straighter position. In most cases, the child will only require braces that consist of brackets, wires, and rubber bands. Brackets attach to the teeth and are connected by a wire and rubber bands. Over time, the wire is tightened in order to slowly line the teeth up properly. Kids enjoy picking out what color to use for the rubber bands. Metal brackets are still commonly used, but there are now options for clear or white ceramic brackets, which is nice because they are a lot less noticeable. There are also braces that go behind the teeth, and those are called lingual braces.
In some cases where only minor alterations are needed, clear removable braces might be used and they are called aligners. As the alignment treatment progresses, new aligners are used to progress the straitening.
Additional devices might also be needed, such as headgear. Headgear is a horseshoe-shaped wire that attaches to the back of the teeth and it provides a greater force to move the teeth. Thankfully, headgear is usually only worn at night.
Frequent visits to the orthodontist spaced out by a few weeks each will be required once the braces are on in order to monitor progress and make any adjustments that are needed. The length of time a child wears braces will depend on how much needs to be fixed, but on average they are worn for about two years. Once the braces are removed, your child will probably need to wear a specially molded retainer. A retainer is either a small hard piece of plastic that has metal wires on it or a thin piece of plastic that is shaped like a mouthguard. Retainers are important because they help prevent the teeth from wandering back to their previous positions.
Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
It’s important that you find a good, reliable orthodontist that you can trust. After all, braces do more than just straighten teeth to make them attractive, they also help to keep your child’s mouth healthy for the rest of their life.
Are you wondering whether or not your child should see an orthodontist? There’s only one way to find out. When your child sees a highly experienced dentist for an examination, not only can they recommend whether orthodontist treatment is advised for your child, but they can also lead you to highly skilled and reputable orthodontists in your local area.
Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced pediatric dentists.
Imagine having dark coloration or stains on your front teeth. Now picture yourself as a young child going to school with this type of tooth discoloration. As you could imagine (or maybe you experienced this first hand in your childhood), there is a great deal of stress, anxiety, and embarrassment that comes with this condition. This is especially true when you’re talking about stains that result from the medication tetracycline, which can be particularly noticeable and notoriously difficult to remove.
Teeth discoloration is a really common condition. There is good news. At South Davis Pediatric Dentistry, we provide solutions for discolored and stained teeth. The type of teeth whitening service that is most appropriate for your child is going to depend on the type and color of discoloration that they are dealing with. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric teeth whitening from South Davis Kids.
Tooth Discoloration in Children: Culprits and Treatments
As a parent, it’s completely normal to feel a sense of dismay when you realize that your child is dealing with a smile that is not full of pearly whites. Whether they are stained completely or have streaks of various colors ranging from grey to orange, it’s disheartening to see your child go through this.
Tooth discoloration can be caused by many different things, and some of these are more serious and others are simply cosmetic problems. We’re going to review the different types of tooth discolorations and what treatment options are appropriate for each one.
Grey Tooth Discoloration in Children
There are a number of different causes of grey tooth discoloration. When one tooth is grey (usually dark in color), but the other teeth are white, this is usually a sign of trauma. When a child experiences blunt force trauma to the mouth, a tooth can slowly die, which leads to the grey discoloration.
Besides blunt force trauma, when a tooth is injured and subsequently receives an increase in blood flow, it can also create a greyish discoloration. When dealing with grey discoloration, it’s important that your pediatric dentist conducts a thorough examination and takes X-rays. Sometimes injured teeth can abscess and may need to be removed. However, depending on the type of injury, sometimes teeth can heal and return to their original color.
When the child presents with grey discoloration on many teeth, the culprit is usually antibiotic use. Tetracycline is a common antibiotic that has been used for many years, staining teeth all the while. In fact, this side effect is so powerful that if a woman takes this antibiotic while she is pregnant, her child may present with teeth that appear gray in color. Primary teeth and secondary teeth can both be affected by the use of this antibiotic, although it’s more commonly seen on baby teeth. Treatments to resolve this type of discoloration usually involve intense bleaching, veneers, or crowns. However, when it comes to pediatric treatments – usually bleaching and whitening services take care of it.
There is another antibiotic that is often prescribed that can cause temporary grey discoloration of teeth, and that is amoxicillin. These types of stains will go away with fastidious oral hygiene and vigorous brushing.
Yellow or Orange Discoloration of Teeth in Children
Poor dental hygiene can cause children to develop yellow or orange discoloration of teeth. In order to prevent these types of stains, parents need to encourage frequent brushing and ensure that their child is paying particular attention to the gum line, where the orange build-up is most common. Bringing your child in for regular six-month professional cleanings along with keeping up with daily brushings can help prevent these stains from getting worse.
Black Tooth Discoloration in Children
Black lines or patches on the teeth are usually a side effect from iron-containing medications. Iron overdose is quite dangerous for children, so it’s not often that parents will see these types of stains unless they have a child with severe anemia that requires iron medications.
White Patches on Children’s Teeth
Another type of tooth stain commonly seen in children is white patches. Naturally, teeth are ivory, or creamy in color, and any type of bright white patch is noticeably out of place. By far the most common cause of white patches on teeth is a condition called fluorosis. Too much exposure to fluoride during childhood can lead to fluorosis.
These types of stains are very difficult to remove because they are intrinsic to the tooth itself. If the white patches are very noticeable, caps, veneers, and bleaching can help to reduce this visibility. White patches may also be the first sign of tooth decay. If this is the case, you need to ensure your child is frequently brushing their teeth in order to prevent cavities.
Great Advancements Have Been Made in Aesthetic Dentistry
Aesthetic dentistry has come a long way in the past decade. New innovation makes tooth restoration possible, even for patients who were told there was nothing they could do for their teeth in the past. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the increased demand for pediatric dental whitening services. In their official policy on the use of dental bleaching for child and adolescent patients, the following is stated:
“The desire for improved dental esthetics has fueled innovations in dental materials. Patients, parents, and the news media request information on dental whitening for children and adolescents with increasing frequency. In addition, increased demand for bleaching materials and services has affected both the variety and availability of dental bleaching products on the market.”
Make Your Pediatric Dentist Appointment in South Davis County Today!
Are you concerned with tooth discoloration in your child? We can help determine the cause of the discoloration and provide appropriate treatment. Parents and physicians throughout Bountiful, Kaysville, Farmington, and Centerville trust the professionals at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry for children’s dental health needs, and you can too. Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to set up an appointment.
New experiences are an integral part of a child’s growth and developmental phases. Your child will experience several “firsts” during their first years. A first tricycle. A first playdate. Another first that many children go through that is not so fun is their first cold sore.
In this blog post, we are going to look at what cold sores are and how to treat them. Watch this video to hear Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talk about treating cold sores for children at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry.
What are Cold Sores?
Also known as fever blisters or oral herpes, cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth and lips. While you will typically find cold sores around the corners of the mouth or lips, they can also appear inside of the mouth, on the chin, cheeks, and nose, too. The blisters begin to ooze a clear type of fluid after a couple of days, and then they crust over. It takes about one to two weeks for them to heal completely.
Even though they are known as “cold sores”, they actually have nothing to do with having a cold. These mouth sores are usually caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This is a separate type of herpes than the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which is responsible for genital herpes. However, both of the strains are capable of causing sores in any part of the body.
Cold sores are very contagious and can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact, saliva, or even by touching an object that has been handled by someone who is infected with the virus.
Concerns Associated with Primary HSV Infection
When a child gets a cold sore for the very first time, it is called primary HSV infection. During this primary infection, the blisters often spread to the interior of the mouth affecting the lips and gums, as well as the surrounding lips and mouth. During this primary infection, a child may also develop the following symptoms:
Swollen and tender lymph nodes
Sore throat
Irritability
Drooling
Every case varies, but sometimes these symptoms are so mild, that the parents do not even notice them. However, there are times when these symptoms can be so severe, it can affect the child’s ability to eat and drink and may require the administration of pain medication for comfort.
What are the Potential Complications of Cold Sores?
If the virus from cold sores spreads to the eye, a child can develop HSV keratitis, which is an infection of the cornea. Typically this type of infection will heal without damaging the eye, but other times, it can lead or blindness or corneal scarring. In fact, HSV is a major cause of blindness worldwide.
Babies under six months of age can be severely disabled by HSV infection. In fact, if a newborn baby catches HSV, the results can be deadly. Relatives or parents with cold sores should never kiss a baby because their immune systems are underdeveloped.
What You Need to Know About Cold Sore Recurrence
After a child has been exposed to HSV, the virus settles into bundles of nerve cells in the body. It will not cause any symptoms unless it’s activated. If activated, it will travel back up to the surface of the skin. Recurrence of cold sores is highly variable from person to person, although it remains in the body for life. Some children never get another one and others will have outbreaks a few times every year. When they return, it’s often in the same spot – but usually not inside of the mouth after the primary HSV infection.
What are the Signs of a Cold Sore Flare-Up?
When a child is about to develop a cold sore, parents might notice the child touching or scratching the area. It may become red and swollen before the sore erupts. The child may experience tingling, burning, or itching as the sore is coming on.
What are Common Triggers for Cold Sores?
If the child’s immune system is already down or if the skin is irritated for other reasons, this may cause a cold sore to develop. Typical triggers for children who have already been exposed to the HSV virus include:
Fatigue and stress
Exposure to intense sunlight, heat, cold, or dryness
Injuries to or breaks in the skin
Illness (i.e., cold or flu)
Dehydration and poor diet
Fluctuating hormones (i.e., during a teen’s menstrual periods, etc.)
Try to Prevent the Spread of HSV
Some things you can do as a parent to keep your child from spreading HSV include:
Instruct your child not to scratch or pick at cold sores
Have your child wash their hands frequently
Clean and disinfect toys
Don’t allow your child to share drinks, utensils, towels or other items
Wash towels and linen in hot water after use
How to Help Ease the Symptoms of Cold Sores in Children
Apply ice or a warm washcloth to cold sores to ease the pain
Give chilled or icy treats for tender lips and to avoid dehydration
Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruit and tomatoes, that may irritate the cold sores
Consider the use of a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
How We Can Help Treat Pediatric Cold Sores
If your child is developing a cold sore, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment right away. When given early on, anti-viral medications are very effective at reducing the length of a cold sore and reducing the pain and other symptoms. If your child is experiencing a cold sore, contact our pediatric dental office in South Davis County to set up an appointment. You can reach us at (801) 294-8880.
Your child’s overall state of health can be affected by the condition of their gums and teeth. For this very reason, your child’s pediatrician will talk to you about good dental habits for kids before their first tooth even erupts. It’s also why it’s so important to get your children to the dentist by the age of one to start regular checkups. Read more about this in our post, “At What Age Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?”
Once your child’s very first tooth comes in, it is recommended by pediatricians and pediatric dentists that they started getting fluoride varnish treatments in order to help prevent tooth decay. Watch the video below to hear Dr. Jason Horgesheimer talk about the benefits of fluoride varnishes at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry.
Why are Fluoride Varnishes Important?
Fluoride varnishes are used to protect the teeth and to help prevent tooth decay. These fluoride treatments can be done two or four times per year. How often you get the treatments for your child is directly related to how likely it would be for your child to get a cavity.
“One of the benefits of coming to the dentist on a regular six-month basis is a fluoride treatment. Fluoride varnishes are simply smeared on the teeth and it’s very beneficial to intercept small little cavities. One or two applications of these fluoride varnishes can actually remineralize or strengthen these cavities so that we don’t need to actually restore them with a filling.” – Dr. Jason
While there are some pediatricians who will apply fluoride varnishes at their office, it is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) that the fluoride varnishes are applied at a dental office instead. Keep reading to learn more valuable information from the AAP regarding the use of fluoride varnish.
What is a Fluoride Varnish?
This is a type of dental treatment that can help prevent cavities and tooth decay, slow down the progression of tooth decay, or stop it altogether. Fluoride varnish is made with the mineral fluoride that’s known to strengthen the outer coating on the teeth, which is known as enamel.
It is important to realize that fluoride varnish treatments alone cannot completely prevent the formation of cavities. However, fluoride varnish treatments can help to prevent tooth decay and cavities when a child is also brushing their teeth with the right amount of fluoridated toothpaste, flossing regularly, eating a healthy diet, and visiting their pediatric dentist on a regular basis.
Are Fluoride Varnish Treatments Safe?
Fluoride varnish is safe. They are used by dentists and doctors around the entire world to help prevent cavities and prevent tooth decay from getting worse. The treatment alone contains a very small amount of fluoride and hardly any of it is swallowed. It hardens quickly immediately after it is applied. Then after four to twelve hours, it is brushed off.
Most children enjoy the taste of fluoride treatments as they are quite palatable. Some of the brands could make your child’s teeth appear yellow or dull, but this goes away once the treatment is brushed off.
How is Fluoride Varnish Applied to My Child’s Teeth?
The tincture which is known as the fluoride varnish is simply painted on the tops and the sides of each tooth with a little brush. At first, the substance may feel a bit sticky but as soon as it comes into contact with saliva it hardens. While your child might be able to feel the hardened varnish, they are not able to lick the varnish off of their teeth.
No pain is involved during the application process. However, some small children may still cry because they are fearful of the procedure. Brushing the varnish onto the teeth only takes a couple of minutes, and if the child is crying it can actually be applied at that time as their mouth will be slightly opened. In the case of small children, you may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you sit knee-to-knee with the person who is applying the varnish.
How Should I Care for My Child’s Teeth After the Fluoride Varnish is Applied?
Once the varnish has been applied to your child’s teeth, there are some general guidelines that you should pay attention to regarding the proper care for their teeth. Your doctor or pediatric dentist may offer other special instructions, so be sure to review with them as well.
Your child can start eating right after the varnish has been applied, but needs to avoid hot foods and drinks. Only cold and warm foods or liquids should be consumed right after the treatment.
Wait at least four to six hours before the child brushes or flosses their teeth. Many dentists will advise you to wait until the next morning to do so. Be sure that you instruct your child to spit everything out during the brushing of the fluoride varnish.
Other Reminders to Maintain Your Child’s Dental Health
Be sure your child is receiving care by a dentist who is specially trained to work with pediatric patients.
Ensure that your child receives enough – but not too much – fluoride.
Fluoride and fluoride varnishes are never meant to be swallowed. Be sure your child understands this.
Remind your child and check on them to be sure they are performing tooth brushing and flossing regularly.
Provide a healthy, balanced diet for your child full of fruits and vegetables.
It’s advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics to take your infant in for an oral health risk assessment by age six months or when their first tooth comes in (whichever comes first). This is especially true if the parents or other members of the family are especially prone to caries and tooth decay. Regardless, it’s important to have the child’s dental “home” established by their first birthday.
Do you have a baby that needs to be scheduled for their first check-up? Do you have children that are in need of fluoride varnish? Whatever the case may be, call the South Davis Pediatric Dentistry at (801) 294-8880 to get an appointment set up today. Physicians and parents throughout Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, and Kaysville trust us for their child’s dental health needs, and so can you.
As pediatric dental professionals, one of the most frequent questions we get is:
“Why do we fix baby teeth if they are going to fall out anyway?”
There are many different reasons why dentists fix baby teeth with cavities. In this blog post, we are going to review how and why pediatric dentists offer baby tooth decay treatment. To introduce the topic, here is a video in which Dr. Jason Horgesheimer explains why it’s important to fix teeth.
Primary teeth are not going to be there for the child’s entire lifetime, but they are not expendable. Untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause very serious harm in the short term. In the long term, untreated baby teeth cavities can cause a negative impact on how the child’s mouth develops. Keep reading as we take a deeper dive into what baby teeth decay is and how it’s treated.
Childhood Tooth Decay is a Common Issue
Five times more common than asthma. Four times more common than childhood obesity. Twenty times more common than childhood diabetes. What exactly are we talking about here? Baby tooth decay.
Tooth decay is the technical term for an acid attack that affects tooth enamel. Untreated tooth decay leads to cavities, which is another term for holes in the teeth. When it comes to baby teeth decay treatment, the cavities are treated with fillings which are used to help keep the holes from getting worse or spreading.
What Can Happen When Baby Teeth Decay is Left Untreated?
Tooth decay needs to be stopped in its tracks. When tooth decay is not treated by dental professionals, the teeth can become completely riddled with cavities. Children who have cavities affecting their primary teeth face many different health risks, including:
The child’s overall nutrition may be affected by an impediment on their ability to eat healthy food
The child could develop an overbite or other bite alignment problems that can require an appliance to fix
Adult teeth could face difficulty growing in normally
Speech impediments can be caused by untreated tooth decay, which can lower a child’s self-esteem
Severe tooth pain could be experienced – which will only worsen without treatment
Infections can occur that can affect surrounding teeth and cause more cavities
What are the Symptoms of Baby Teeth with Cavities?
It’s pretty obvious when a child has cavities in their baby teeth. However, your child needs to be evaluated by a pediatric dental professional in order to accurately diagnose and treat cavities in baby teeth. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should call our pediatric dental office at (801) 294-8880 to schedule an appointment.
Pain below the gum line around or below teeth
Pain in a tooth when brushing or chewing
Visible discolorations, holes, or dark spots on teeth
Increased sensitivity to either hot or cold temperatures
Bad breath that is constant and not alleviated by consistent brushing or mouthwash
Baby Teeth with Cavities Should Get Fillings
Even though primary teeth are not permanent, they are the only teeth that your child will have for many years – until their full set of adult teeth have come in. Baby teeth decay treatment is done in order to preserve your child’s oral health. These baby teeth with decay should not just be pulled, because they will help guide the permanent teeth to come in properly.
What Types of Fillings are Used for Cavities in Baby Teeth?
Just like adult teeth are treated, baby teeth fillings will either be made out of metal or white composite. There are other types of materials for fillings and crowns such as ceramic and gold, however, these are rarely used in fillings for primary teeth. Many parents choose metal fillings because they are quicker to apply and less expensive than white composite fillings. A child might not like the idea of a metal filling, but it is a cost-effective method of treating a tooth that is going to eventually fall out. Furthermore, the type of insurance you carry may not cover white composite fillings – or do so at an increased cost.
How are the Primary Teeth Cavities Treated?
Your pediatric dentist will gently drill the cavity in your child’s baby teeth as necessary. Next, your dentist will either create a crown or fill the tooth, depending on how extensive the tooth decay is. After the cavity has been fixed, it’s important that the child continues to practice good oral hygiene to care for crowns or fillings.
Baby Teeth Decay Can Return
No matter how hard your dentist works to remove all of the tooth decay, it can become a recurring issue. Teeth that are most likely to experience a recurrence of tooth decay are the ones with cavities between them – rather than those with cavities present only on surface areas. If tooth decay returns on a primary tooth, your pediatric dentist will need to remove the filling and re-fill the tooth.
Trauma and Other Problems May Also Require Pediatric Dental Treatment of Baby Teeth
Tooth decay is not the only reason children need fillings on baby teeth. Sometimes a child may experience a type of trauma that can cause a crack in the tooth which may also need to be filled. Other problems children experience that can require treatment include:
Incorrectly shaped teeth
Underdeveloped teeth
Chipped Teeth
Crowns are often used instead of fillings to correct these types of issues.
In Some Cases, Tooth Extraction is Necessary
In order to maintain the right amount of space needed for adult teeth to come in, it’s always best to preserve baby teeth and repair them as needed. However, there are some cases in which your dentist will have no other option than to pull a baby tooth early. If the tooth decay has become so extensive that it’s causing pain and gum issues, extraction may be the best option. In this case, your dentist may opt to fill that gap with a prosthetic in order to maintain the right amount of space for adult teeth to come in.
Sometimes Kids Get Laughing Gas
Dentists may sometimes opt to use nitrous oxide, or laughing gas when treating cavities in children. For some children, the administration of laughing gas can reduce anxiety and distract a child from the pain caused by the Novocaine shot and the drilling of the teeth. Laughing gas does not work for all kids, so an orally-administered sedative may be needed in certain cases.
The Number of Fillings Done in One Sitting Depends on the Kid
When a child goes to the dentist to have cavities filled, sometimes they will get only one done and other times they will get several done at a time. This all depends on the kid and the extent of the tooth decay. Some children do better at sitting in a chair for prolonged periods of time, while others don’t. The ultimate goal is always to do what’s best for the child, which may require several appointments for the baby teeth decay dental treatments.
Does Your Child Have a Cavity or Tooth Decay?
Our pediatric dentists are here to help you. If your child is experiencing pain or has obvious cavities, make an appointment today at South Davis Pediatric Dentistry. Call us today at (801) 294-8880 to set up an appointment.
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