Parents have a lot of questions when it comes to taking their children to one of our four pediatric dental locations. For that reason, we have put together answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about our kids dental offices.
At what age should I first take my child to the dentist?
Getting children familiar with visiting the dentist starts earlier than you might think. Your child’s first dental visit should occur either when their first tooth appears, or when they turn one year old: whichever occurs first.
What’s the difference between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists have completed an additional two to three years of training specializing in the care, and equipment required for children’s dental needs. A pediatric dentist limits their practice to children from infant to adolescence only. A pediatric dentist is not only specially trained to work with children, but also children and teens with special needs.
How do I clean my baby’s teeth?
Even before your baby’s first tooth erupts, you can begin to get them accustomed to the idea of dental hygiene by gently rubbing a clean wet washcloth over their gums. Once their first tooth erupts, use a small soft bristled toothbrush. You can find specially designed infant toothbrushes in stores.
When should my child stop thumb-sucking or use a pacifier?
Sucking on a thumb, or using a pacifier isn’t a dental issue right away. Often toddlers will leave behind these habits on their own. If your child is three years old, however, and still engaging in one of those soothing habits, we recommend that you work to break the habit. Visit with your pediatric dentist for tips.
Are dental X-rays safe?
In general, dental X-rays have very little risk. Moreover, pediatric dentists are cautious about the amount of radiation a child is exposed to. We use high-speed film, and protective lead aprons to minimize risk and exposure for your child.
What do I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
First, you should locate the tooth that has been knocked out. When you reach to pick it up, avoid touching the root of the tooth. If it is dirty, you can rinse it with milk. Next, you have two options. You can submerge the tooth in milk until you get to your pediatric dentist. Alternatively, you can reinsert the tooth, root first, by holding onto the crown of the tooth and placing firm pressure. If you opt for reinserting the tooth, have your child bite down on a clean washcloth to hold it into place until you can get to the pediatric dentist’s office.
This situation definitely constitutes a dental emergency, your pediatric dentist should see you right away.
How can I find a pediatric dentist near me?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has a registry of all pediatric dentists. You can search by zip code, and adjust the distance from 5 miles up to 100 miles, if necessary. You can find this registry here:
If there are several near you and you don’t know how to choose, take a look at our in-depth guide on how to select a pediatric dentist, “How to Find the Best Kids Dentist Near Me“. In it we’ll walk you through different things you can do to inform your decision, and what to look for.
When should we begin using toothpaste?
As soon as the first tooth erupts, you can begin using a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth. Brush even those baby teeth in the beginning, twice a day. From ages three to six, increase the amount of toothpaste to the size of a pea.
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are a preventative measure that we firmly advocate for. Children aren’t terrific brushers, and their back teeth are often difficult for them to reach. Those molars have grooves in which food particles and plaque love to hide out. We apply the dental sealant in those grooves. It is a painless procedure, and won’t interfere with your child’s next meal. The sealant acts as a protector to the tooth to keep bacteria, food, and sugars out. Dental sealants are known to reduce tooth decay in molars by 80%!
For more information about our dental sealants, go here.
How can I prevent bottle rot?
Bottle rot is baby teeth decay that can be tied back to inappropriate bottle use (or even sippy cups). Just because your baby uses a bottle doesn’t automatically mean they will get bottle rot. It’s important that your baby use a bottle only for drinking formula, milk, or water, but not juice. If the bottle has milk or formula in it, they should not be allowed to sip on it over an extended period of time. The bottle rot happens when the teeth have extended exposure to sugar. Furthermore, they should not be put to bed with a bottle of milk or formula. If you want to put them to bed with a bottle, then fill it only with water.
Yes! Mouthguards will protect your child’s teeth and jaw from dental injuries. For more information about mouthguards, go here.
Should a cavity in a baby tooth be filled?
Absolutely, yes. A cavity in a baby tooth can be quite painful. That aside, the baby tooth needs to stay in its place until the body is ready for it to fall out to make room for the permanent tooth. Baby teeth are place holders that assist in proper eating and even speaking.
How often should my child see the dentist?
As a general rule, we encourage parents to have their child scheduled for bi-annual checkups. However, each child is unique and if we feel a more frequent schedule is appropriate, we will discuss with you why we feel it necessary so you have a clear understanding of our recommendation.
Has it been longer than six months since your child’s last dental visit? Give us a call and get an appointment on your calendar so you don’t forget. Happy smiles come from healthy teeth.
The beginning of a new year is a good time for reflection, making plans, and making changes. It is also an opportunity to have fun with numbers and lists. We’ve put together a list of 21 dental hygiene tips for you and your family for 2021.
1. Instead of buying bottled water, buy a refillable bottle, and fill it from the tap.
In most (not all) households that have running water, that water has been fluoridated. Fluoride is a major player in the mouth’s daily defense against bacteria and plaque. Drinking fluoride water and giving your teeth that fluoride rinses several times a day in between meals and snacks, is important. The fluoridation of community water is likely a benefit in your home that you’ve never considered. However, it’s considered one of the ten biggest public health achievements for the entire 20th century, take advantage of it!
2. Incorporate more crunchy fruits and veggies into your meal and snack routines.
The downside to a lot of the delicious foods that we eat is that they lodge in between our teeth and in the crevices of our molars. When those food leftovers side on the gum line and around our teeth they often have time to do their dirty work on our teeth before the next time we brush. Crunchy fruits such as apples, pears, carrots, and celery. In addition to doing a little scrubbing while we crunch these fruits and vegetables are loaded with vitamins.
3. Routine dental visits
Even if you and your kids don’t have any symptoms of tooth problems, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have regularly occurring visits. An important part of dental care is prevention. Make sure your kids are scheduled for their yearly checkups and cleanings. Check with your insurance provider, some insurances are acknowledging the benefit of cleanings every six months.
4. Quit smoking/chewing tobacco.
This one doesn’t need a long-drawn-out explanation. Bottom line, smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for your teeth and bad for your overall oral health. Now’s a great time to work on quitting if you do either of these in order to set a better example for your kids to follow.
5. Quit or limit alcoholic beverages.
Regardless of your personal beliefs, alcohol is generally bad for your oral health. Alcohol can cause dry mouth which reduces your body’s natural defenses (saliva) against sugar, acid, and bacteria in the mouth. Many alcoholic beverages can stain your teeth, while the acidic content in many of them eat away at your tooth’s enamel. As a parent, your actions and feelings towards alcohol will influence those of your children, especially teenagers.
6. Cut back on the soda.
We know that sometimes you just really want something to drink other than water, but the truth is soda/pop is really harmful for your teeth. It’s very acidic and for every sip of soda you take, you’ve started a 20-minute-long acid attack on your teeth. So if you’re going to drink it, drink it quickly instead of dragging it out, and brush or at least rinse your mouth out with water when you’re done.
7. Use mouthwash.
Add the use of a therapeutic mouthwash to your morning or nightly routine. Proper mouthwashes can kill bacteria, fight plaque, and help prevent gingivitis. Recommended only for children over the age of 6 who aren’t at risk of swallowing the mouthwash.
8. Brush twice daily for two minutes.
Yes, this one made the list. Can’t have a list without this one. We always remind you!
9. Floss at least once a day.
Even our best brushers will admit to skipping flossing, or not doing it at all. Correct that misstep this year! Flossing is important and will grab food debris that will surprise you.
10. Chew sugar-free gum.
If you or your kids are in the habit of chewing gum, take a close look at the gum you buy. Is it sugar-free? Does it have the ADA seal?
11. Use a mouthguard when participating in sports.
Most people are familiar with football players using mouth guards for their sport, but you should really consider a mouth guard for your kids for other sports as well. Sports accidents can cause painful dental injuries. For more information about mouthguards, read our in-depth post, “Why Your Kids Should Use a Mouth Guard”.
12. Brush up on your brushing skills.
Take a moment to examine the way you and your kids brush your teeth. The technique is important; here’s a quick video put together by the ADA:
13. Let your kids pick out their own toothbrush.
Get your kids invested in brushing their teeth. Taking some ownership can help with that. Let them pick out their own toothbrush.
14. Brush with fluoride toothpaste.
Check your toothpaste and be sure it has fluoride. Look for the ADA seal too.
15. Replace your toothbrushes every three to four months.
Yes, your toothbrush needs to be replaced about 4 times a year. When the bristles wear out they can cause damage to your gums. Additionally, over time your toothbrush begins to collect bacteria.
16. Switch to whole wheat.
White flour products such as pastas, crackers, and breads turn into a lot of sugar for your teeth, and worse they can really stick in the crevices. See about transitioning to whole wheat products.
17. Bring nuts into your meal stable.
Peanuts, almonds, and cashews have the benefit of providing your body with protein, and minerals including calcium and phosphorous. Those minerals are important for your dental health because they are the minerals that are commonly eaten away from our tooth’s enamel by the sugars and acids that we consume and they need replenishing.
18. Set a schedule for eating and avoid grazing.
Do you know what we mean when we say grazing? Grazing is that slow snacking that all of us have done before where you just eat a little bit, and then a few minutes later, a little bit more, and so on. It might not sound so bad, but the truth is, it’s incredibly harmful to your teeth. When you graze, your teeth are under near-constant assault by the sugars, and acids introduced to the mouth with your food. Your tongue instinctively tugs and pulls at your teeth to try and clean out lodged foods, and your saliva is a professional defensive linebacker working hard for your teeth. Stop putting them under non-stop assault, and commit your family and yourself to set times for eating.
19. Don’t let your baby/toddler go to sleep with a bottle.
Even if your baby hasn’t gotten their first tooth, don’t start the habit of them going to sleep with a bottle. The milk or juice in a bottle can sit in their mouths and foster bacteria and tooth decay while they sleep.
20. Rinse your mouth with water after snacking or drinking.
After you and your kids snack or drink anything that isn’t water, make a conscious effort to follow it up with drinking water. Water will help to rinse the sugars and bacteria.
21. Get your kids floss picks
If flossing is difficult for your kids, don’t give up on the idea of flossing, instead, look to floss picks. Floss picks are individual flossers that can fit in tight spaces but may be easier to maneuver than regular floss. The ADA has given its seal to the DenTek Kids Fun Flosser Floss Picks.
We hope some of the tips on this list can be easy for you to incorporate into your dental hygiene routines in your home. Some may take trial and error while others may take a little longer to turn into habits, but we know you can do it. When was the last time your kids had a dental checkup? Give us a call today at 801-948-8880 and we’ll find an appointment time that works for you at whichever of our four locations is nearest you.
We’re in the thick of a beautiful but cold Utah winter, and sometimes this time of year brings winter tooth pain. While you might have noticed that one of your kids has a sensitivity to cold slushies or ice cream in the summer months, winter tooth pain can hit even if you’re avoiding ice-cold treats.
Why #1: High Altitude
If your family has been hitting the slopes this winter season and you’ve had complaints of tooth pain while skiing or snowboarding, then the high altitude may be the culprit. When your body reaches high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure can have effects on our bodies, including our teeth. This type of tooth pain is called barodontalgia, or “tooth squeeze”.
Barodontalgia is typically a symptom of an underlying issue that is often dental related (although not exclusively). Possible dental underlying conditions to the pain of tooth squeeze include:
cavity
damaged filling
cracked tooth
enamel erosion
pulpitis
impacted teeth
pulp necrosis
To-Dos for Altitude Tooth Pain
If your kids’ winter tooth pain comes on when you hit the slopes, you’ll need to keep them away from hot beverages as well as cold beverages. Extreme temperatures will only exacerbate the pain. Often the pain will ease once a more normal elevation is reached, so you might have to stay off the mountain for a while.\
Give us a call so we can set up an appointment to see your child. We’ll want to rule out the possibilities and isolate the problem so that we can get your kid back to being on the slopes pain-free with your family.
Why #2: Dental Trauma
Sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding are all great ways to spend the winter weekends. However, these sports can also result in dental injuries such as a cracked or chipped tooth that will result in winter tooth pain.
To-Dos for Dental Trauma
If your child gets a chipped or cracked tooth in a sports accident, give us a call right away. Place the tooth fragment (if you can find it) in a container with milk until you can get in to see us. For more information read our in-depth post, “My Child Chipped a Tooth: What Should I Do?”
Why #3: Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth sensitivity to cold beverages and treats may be annoying or painful in the warm months, but it can be aggravated in the winter months when your teeth are exposed to cold air. Tooth sensitivity is often painful but, as is the often case with barodontalgia, it is typically a symptom of another issue: enamel erosion or root exposure.
The crown of your tooth is covered by a protective layer of enamel. The enamel is the pearly-white part that you see when you smile, and while it is a protector, it can be weakened and eroded. Causes of enamel erosion include:
teeth grinding
excessive teeth whitening
acid reflux disease
excessive acidic content in your diet
bulimia (stomach acid from frequent vomiting)
overzealous teeth brushing technique
What you may be surprised to learn is that the root of your tooth does not have enamel. Instead, it is covered by cementum which is softer than enamel and serves as connective tissue to keep the tooth rooted in your jaw. The root of your tooth simply does not have the same protection in place that the crown of your tooth and this is why an exposed root is painful. Causes of root exposure include:
aggressive teeth brushing
use of a hard bristle toothbrush
receding gums
gingivitis (gum disease)
dental trauma
dry mouth
To-Dos for Tooth Sensitivity
For tooth sensitivity, it’s important to get your kids in to see their pediatric dentist to identify the cause and begin the appropriate dental treatment. Some treatments are mild, while others may be more involved.
We may recommend a special desensitizing toothpaste to help with the pain while we determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
We may do fluoride treatments in the office or prescribe fluoride treatments at home. Fluoride treatments will help to strengthen the tooth’s enamel.
We may do a bonding. Bonding in this instance is when we apply our composite resin over an exposed root area.
We may recommend a root canal. We perform root canals in our office when necessary. They treat the pulp of the tooth and are one of the most successful treatments for addressing tooth sensitivity.
We may refer your child for a surgical gum graft. This procedure is done when the root is exposed because gum tissue has been lost in some way.
There are things that you as the parent can do in this situation as well. If your kids are 12 years or older, consider purchasing Sensodyne toothpaste (ADA approved) to help with the pain of sensitivity. Avoid extreme temperature beverages hot or cold, but also consider eliminating sodas and high sugar juices from their daily intake.
Next, take a look at your kid’s toothbrush. Is it a soft bristle brush? If not, replace it with a soft one. Take note of your child’s brushing technique, are they a hard or aggressive brusher? Proper teeth brushing technique should look like this:
Prevention of Reoccurrence of Tooth Sensitivity
Proper brushing technique, two times a day for two minutes. Regular cleaning of the teeth will help keep the enamel strong.
Use mouth guards for any sports activities, or if your child grinds their teeth at night. Read our in-depth post, “Why Your Kids Should Use a Mouth Guard“.
Eliminate or slide back to a moderate amount of carbonated drinks and citrus fruits in their diet.
Finish off a snack or a meal with a drink of water to rinse out any acids or citrus from your teeth.
We know that tooth sensitivity can be painful and frustrating for kids. Don’t wait to see if it simply goes away over time. Give us a call to schedule an appointment so that we can root out (pun intended) the cause of your child’s winter tooth pain and move forward with making it better!
A baby’s first tooth is a big deal. In fact, a baby’s second and even third tooth eruptions are huge milestones not only for the tots themselves but for parents as well. These little teeth will serve essential roles throughout the growth and development of your child’s mouth. This guide will cover the basics of what you need to know about baby teeth, including when to expect their eruption, how to care for them, why they are important, and more.
Why are Baby Teeth Important?
Baby teeth, technically called primary teeth, are the first set of teeth that a child receives. Primary teeth are not only adorable and make for amazing pictures of lovely toddler smiles, they also serve several functions inside the child’s mouth. The following are a few reasons why baby teeth are important:
Baby teeth are needed to help a child learn how to speak. A child is better able to form their words and speak clearly when they have a healthy set of primary teeth that are well-spaced and aligned.
Primary teeth are essentially placeholders for permanent teeth. Baby teeth are there to help guide primary teeth along the path as they emerge through the gums.
Baby teeth help with proper eating. These teeth are important because they aid in the chewing process to ensure that food is broken down into small pieces that are easily digestible, which is particularly important when the child is very young.
Keep reading to learn how you can keep those baby teeth healthy and prevent potential dental problems in the future. First, we will start with the basics of primary teeth and what to expect in terms of eruption ages.
What is Teething or Tooth Eruption?
Teething is the common word for what is known as “primary tooth eruption”. Essentially, teething is when a child’s first set of teeth break through their gums. For most babies, teething begins around six months of age, but it is considered normal for a child to get their first tooth any time between three months and one year of age. Take a look at the chart to learn about the average ages for the eruption and shedding of baby teeth.
Temporary Tooth Eruption Timeline
Teeth start to form inside of a baby’s mouth while they are still in utero. During the second trimester of pregnancy, tooth buds start to grow. After babies are born, the roots underneath of the teeth begin to grow – which pushes the teeth up through the gums. While all children are different, in general, most babies will have all 20 of their primary teeth by the age of three years old.
What are the Signs of Teething?
Some children experience difficulty during teething and will display signs of discomfort, while others may go through it without any symptoms at all. If your child does experience symptoms during teething, the most common ones include:
Suckling or biting
Ear rubbing
Irritability
Drooling
Facial rash
Mild temperature
Swelling or redness of gums
How Can You Ease a Teething Child’s Discomfort?
When a child experiences a difficult time during teething there are some options you can consider that could potentially help them with pain and discomfort.
Offer the child something to chew on. You can use a cold washcloth or a firm rubber teething ring – either one can be first chilled in the refrigerator but not in the freezer. Chewing is an effective coping mechanism as it helps relieve the pressure on the new teeth emerging.
Gently rub your baby’s gums. You can use a wet gauze pad, a silicone baby brush made for massaging gums, or simply a clean finger to rub gently on the gums of your baby.
Offer chilled foods. If your baby is eating solid foods, you can offer frozen fruits as snacks such as applesauce, peaches, or yogurt. You can find small pacifier-type devices that have a net on one end for holding the frozen foods that can make this easier for babies and young toddlers.
Give extra cuddles and affection. Sometimes the most soothing thing you can do for a teething baby is to hold on to them and give them plenty of extra snuggles and kisses. This can help distract them from the pain or discomfort.
*Be careful not to mistake a different problem going on with your child for teething. If your baby seems to experience these symptoms and they do not go away or if they seem to get worse, be sure to get in touch with your family pediatrician.
Brushing Primary/Baby Teeth
You should begin washing and cleaning out your baby’s mouth and gums long before their first tooth is even visible in their mouth. Every day, you can use a soft and moist washcloth to wipe out their mouth. Once the teeth become visible, they should be brushed twice daily with a small soft bristle toothbrush and only a rice-size amount of baby toothpaste (preferably fluoride-free as it is easy for babies to swallow some by accident). Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste and rinse out their mouth when you’re done.
Concerns About Baby Teeth and Cavities
Baby teeth can get cavities just as permanent teeth can suffer from tooth decay when not properly cared for. In fact, babies whose teeth have prolonged or frequent contact with too much sugar can develop what is called “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay”. The name comes from the fact that the condition is usually the result of a child either being put to bed with a sippy cup or bottle or carrying one around for long periods that is filled with milk or juice. The decay is a result of the fact that natural bacteria found inside the mouth will feed on the sugar and produce an acidic byproduct, which attacks the tooth enamel. Read our previous blog post about baby teeth decay for more information on this subject.
Ways to Prevent Cavities in Primary Teeth:
Only give your child water in bottles or sippy cups at bedtime.
Limit the amount of juice given to your child to no more than six ounces per day.
Babies under six months old should not have juice.
Avoid giving your child or baby unhealthy drinks or snacks, such as soda or sticky/sugary foods. Healthy alternatives include yogurt, fruit, or cheese.
Try not to give your child a pacifier. If your baby does use a pacifier, be sure that it is kept clean.
Concerned About Your Child’s Primary Teeth?
Have you seen any spots developing on your baby’s teeth? If so, then you should call us to get an appointment at one of our four pediatric dentist locations in Bountiful, Taylorsville, Herriman, and Stansbury Park, Utah. Call us today at 801-948-8880.
To have children means to have joy, love, frustration, and responsibilities. Lots of responsibilities. Among that long list of responsibilities is your child’s dental care. There’s a lot more to understanding the world of children’s dental care than simply connecting to your local pediatric dentist (although that is definitely important).
Here we’ve put together a list of tips for maneuvering the world of pediatric dental health. Some things may seem obvious and intuitive, but you may be surprised by a few others.
1. Start Dental Hygiene Habits Early
Even before their first tooth comes in, you can introduce the idea of mouth hygiene to your child. Gently wipe their gums with water and a clean wash cloth. Once their first tooth erupts it’s time not only to go to your friendly pediatric dentist, but also to start establishing the routine of brushing their teeth (or tooth if it’s just the first one).
2. Find a Pediatric Dentist that You and Your Kids Feel Comfortable With
You may be happy as a peach with your own dentist, but the reality is for your children, you really need a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists have an extra two years of schooling under their caps that has prepared them to work specifically with children. This means they’re better prepared for the psychology of working with children, and that they’re specially trained for the dental issues and treatments that are specific to children as well.
For more information on how to select a pediatric dentist for your kids, read our in-depth post titled, “How to Find the Best Kids Dentist Near Me” where we list how to look and what to look for. This is an important decision because positive dental experiences in children lead to better dental health in adults.
3. Baby Teeth Require Care, Regardless of the Fact That They’ll Fall Out
Unfortunately, some parents believe dental health for baby teeth isn’t terribly important because they’ll all fall out anyway. Proper dental care of baby teeth is important for several reasons. Starting with the fact that dental issues, even in baby teeth, can be very painful. Save your baby/child the pain when you can. Secondly, habits that are formed early are very hard to break. If you’re child learns the habit that dental care isn’t a priority, when their permanent teeth come in, it’s going to be difficult to change that habit on its head. And finally, the baby teeth help your child learn to chew, to speak properly, and reserve the space in their growing jaws for when their permanent teeth come in.
Until at least eight years of age, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends parents do or assist in their children’s teeth brushing. The reasons vary depending on age, development, and character, but don’t take away from the necessity.
Just because it’s a “must” doesn’t mean it has to be misery however. Get them fun colors or characters of toothbrushes. Instead of setting a timer, listen to a fun song to get them to last the full two minutes of brushing. The American Dental Association (ADA) put together a playlist of fun tooth brushing songs. Check them out, and find a favorite!
5. Careful and Cautious with Loose Teeth
If your child has a tooth that is knocked loose from an accident or a fall, just because it’s a baby tooth doesn’t mean you should pull it out. In these circumstances, it’s best to contact us right away to get in and let one of our pediatric dentists check it out.
If it’s a tooth that is wiggly and loose just because, then let your kid wiggle it all they want, but don’t try to pull it out. Teeth get loose because the roots are being pushed out by the permanent teeth preparing to erupt. This is a natural process and is best left alone.
Fluoride may be controversial in some circles, but the truth is, fluoride makes tooth enamel stronger, helps teeth resist the acid and bacteria that are found in our mouths, and community water fluoridation is considered one of the top public health achievements of the 20th century. Make sure the toothpaste for your kids (and you!) has fluoride added, and if your water supply at home is fluoride water, be sure they’re drinking it instead of store bought bottled water.
Additionally, fluoride varnishes are a preventative service that our pediatric dental practice and others offer.
7. Healthy Eats Help Healthy Smiles
Even with routine brushing and flossing, fluoride water and toothpaste and routine checkups healthy eating is important. We explore this topic thoroughly in our post titled, “Do-Eats and Don’t Eats for Kids to Promote Healthy Teeth“. Furthermore, we realize that getting your kids to eat healthy can seem like an impossible challenge. Because of that, we put together a list of hacks to encourage healthy eating in your home. Read our post, “To Get Your Kids to Eat Healthy – Try These 7 Magic Tricks“.
If your child is due for a checkup, don’t wait until the holidays are over to get it done. We’re offering patients with appointments until the end of the year, $25 gift cards. For more information about this promotion, give us a call today!
Recent Comments