Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Diet & Cavity Prevention
What is an appropriate diet for my child?
It is important that your child receives a naturally-balanced diet that includes the important nutrients your child needs in order to grow. A daily diet should include the major food groups of meat/fish/eggs, vegetable/fruit, bread/cereal, and especially milk and dairy products.
Can my child’s diet affect their dental health?
Absolutely. It is important that you initiate a balanced diet for your child so that their teeth develop appropriately. In addition, this will positively affect healthy gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Please note that a diet high in sugar and other forms of carbohydrates will increase their chance of tooth decay.
How do I create a diet that is safe for my child’s teeth?
Sugars are found in more than just candy. All types of sugars promote tooth decay, even natural sugars. For example, all juices and milk-based products contain some form of sugar. Basically, your child can eat or drink anything during mealtimes without fear of decay; however, if they eat or drink sugary foods or drinks between meals or at nighttime, after a while, tooth decay will occur. When your child is thirsty during non-meal times, only allow it to be water or sugar-free drinks and when they are hungry between meals, add an extra brushing in the middle of the day and brush the snacks off their teeth to help ensure they have a healthy, cavity-free smile.
Should I eliminate all sugar and starch from my child’s diet?
No, that’s not necessary. Starch-based foods are safe to eat for teeth when they’re eaten at mealtimes. Foods that are sticky are also harder to wash away by water, saliva, or other drinks. It’s important that you talk to our staff about your child’s diet and to maintain proper dental care.
What helpful information can you give me regarding tooth decay in infants?
Most importantly, do not nurse your child to sleep or put them to bed with a bottle or cup of milk, juice, or formula because the bacteria which is naturally in the mouth produces an acid that mixes with the sugars and decays the teeth. A bottle of water or sugar-free add-ins is fine. Just check the label to see if any sugar is present before you let your child sip on it between meals or at bedtime. If they do, brush it off their teeth immediately to prevent cavities.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Tooth Loss
What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?
Contact our office as soon as possible. If it is after hours, please message us on our office Facebook page.
What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
Rinse the knocked-out tooth in cool water. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth back in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze. If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a container of milk (or water if milk is not available) and come to our office immediately. Feel free to call our emergency number if it is after hours. The tooth has a better chance of being saved if you act immediately.
What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?
Contact our office as soon as possible. Time is of the essence! Our goal is to save the tooth and prevent infection. Rinse the mouth out with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. It’s possible that if you can find the broken tooth fragment, it may be able to be bonded back to the tooth.
What do I do if my child has a toothache?
Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. To temporarily help comfort your child, rinse out their mouth with cold water, and give them acetaminophen or ibuprofen, if needed.
How can we prevent dental injuries?
Sports-related dental injuries can be reduced or prevented by wearing mouth guards. Childproofing your home can help reduce injuries at home as well. In addition, regular dental check-ups will contribute to preventative care
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sealants
What are sealants?
Tooth sealant refers to a thin, non-BPA, protective layer that we bond into the grooves of the chewing surface of teeth which helps prevent cavities.
How do sealants work?
Because it is harder for children to clean the tiny grooves in the back teeth, dentists recommend placing sealants on them. Studies show sealants can reduce the risk of decay by around 80% in molars. This is very important. The Centers for Disease Control say “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.”
What is the life expectancy of tooth sealants?
The longevity of sealants varies. Sealants that have remained in place for two or three years would be considered successful. Eating hard candy or ice makes them pop out prematurely.
Which teeth should be sealed?
Most dentists recommend sealing the back, permanent teeth. There are two times we typically seal them–when they get their first set of permanent molars, which usually come in around age 6 and when they get their second set of permanent molars, which usually come in around age 12.
What is the procedure for placing sealants?
Generally, it takes just one visit. Placing dental sealants is a very easy process. The tooth is cleaned and dried. The sealant is then flowed onto the grooves of the tooth where it is hardened with a special blue light. If your child has a sensitive gag reflex, the use of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) can be used to help relax the muscle associated with a sensitive gag reflex. All normal activities can occur directly after the appointment.
How important is brushing and flossing after sealants are applied?
It is just as important for your child to brush and floss their teeth. Sealants are only one step against tooth decay.
How much does it cost?
This treatment is quite affordable, especially when you consider the value of protection against tooth decay. Most dental insurance companies cover sealants. Check with your insurance company about your child’s coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions About A Gummy Smile
When some children smile, they may show an excessive amount of gum tissue. This is called a gummy smile and may be due to a few different problems:
Gum irritation and overgrowth from braces. This is more likely to happen if the teeth appear short before the braces are placed on the teeth. This problem results not from the quality of the orthodontic care but is a result of pre-treatment gum and bone thickness.
Altered passive eruption. The gum and bone normally recede as a part of the normal eruption of the teeth. When this normal recession doesn’t occur, the gums cover too much of the teeth and make them appear “too short”. The teeth are usually not too short. They are usually of normal size but are buried under the gum and bone.
If there are habits such as digit sucking or grinding (bruxism), excessive pressure or tooth wear can alter the appearance of the teeth. The problems may be able to be corrected with orthodontics, surgical procedures, or dental restorations such as crowns or veneers.
Skeletal developmental problems affect the growth of the jaws and the teeth. If orthodontics are instituted between the years of seven and nine, the growth of the jaws can often be controlled and the cosmetics can be improved.
Before treatment, it is critical to properly evaluate the problems and get an accurate diagnosis. Some cosmetic issues can be easily corrected while others like skeletal problems can be more difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Mouth Guards
What is a mouthguard?
A mouthguard is made of soft plastic. They come in standard or custom fit to adapt comfortably to the upper teeth.
Why is a mouthguard important?
A mouthguard protects the teeth from possible sport injuries. It does not only protect the teeth, but the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw bone as well. Some studies show it can also help protect a child from head and neck injuries such as concussions. Most injuries occur to the mouth and head area when a child is not wearing a mouthguard.
When should my child wear a mouthguard?
It should be worn during every sport-based activity, including practices, where there is a risk of head, face, or neck injury including football, softball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, karate, basketball, baseball, skating, skateboarding, as well as many other sports. Children with orthodontics (braces) especially need to wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth, lips, and cheeks.
How do I choose a mouthguard for my child?
Choose a mouthguard that your child feels is comfortable. If a mouthguard feels bulky or interferes with speech to any great degree, it is probably not the right size for your child.
There are many options in mouth guards. Most guards are found in athletic or retail stores. These vary in comfort, protection as well as cost. Customized mouth guards can be provided through our practice. They may be a bit more expensive, but they are much more comfortable and shock absorbent.
