Dental Topics
Click on a topic of interest for more information:
General Topics
What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric Dentistry is a specialty of dentistry that focuses on the
oral health and unique needs of young people. After completing a four year dental school curriculum, two additional years of rigorous training is required to become a pediatric dentist. These years of training focus on the dental and emotional needs of infants, children, adolescents and those persons with special health care needs.
Importance of Baby Teeth
Strong healthy primary (baby) teeth help your child chew food, speak clearly, give his/her face proper shape and guide the proper eruption of permanent teeth. The Center for Disease Control reports that caries (cavities) is the most prevalent infectious disease in children. Dental caries us 5 times more common that asthma. Decay of primary teeth can affect growth, lead to malocclusions, and cause pain, infection, and/or damage to the underlying tooth. It is important that these teeth stay healthy and present until naturally lost
Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies and tooth injuries are a common occurrence of childhood. Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving or losing your child’s tooth. Here are some tips that can help you cope with a dental emergency quickly and calmly.
Toothache
Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Rinse the mouth vigorously with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or on the aching tooth. Take acetaminophen for pain and call Dr. Hogan as soon as possible.
Broken Tooth
Rinse dirt from injured area with warm water. Place cold
compresses over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any broken tooth fragments. Call Dr. Hogan IMMEDIATELY.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip of Cheek
Apply ice to bruised area. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room.
Knocked Out Permanent Teeth
Find the tooth. Handle the tooth by the top (crown), not by the root portion. You may rinse the tooth, but DO NOT clean or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Try to reinsert it in its socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by biting on a clean gauze or cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing milk. See Dr. Hogan IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Possible Broken Jaw:
If a fractured jaw is suspected, try to keep the jaws from moving using a towel, tie, or handkerchief. Then take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Bleeding After Baby Tooth Falls Out:
Fold and pack a clean gauze or cloth over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. This may be repeated once; if bleeding persists, call Dr. Hogan.
Cold/Canker Sores:
Many children occasionally suffer from “cold” or “canker” sores. Usually over-the-counter preparations give relief. Because some serious diseases may begin as sores, it is important to see Dr. Hogan if these sores persist.
Prevention
How to Care for your Child’s Teeth
We recommend that you wipe your child’s gums with a wash cloth after each feeding prior to the eruption of the first tooth so that when the teeth erupt, they erupt into a plaque-free environment. Once the first teeth have erupted, continue cleaning teeth and gums two times daily with a wash cloth, finger brush, or an infant-sized toothbrush and training toothpaste. After the eruption of all baby teeth, we recommend that you brush two to three times daily and introduce flossing.
Healthy Diet, Healthy Teeth
The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize (and avoid) cavities and other dental problems. Minimize frequent snacking and snacks high in sugar, such as candy and fruit juice. We recommend that you encourage plenty of fruits, vegetables and water in your child’s diet.
Sealants
A sealant is a plastic material applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent tooth decay. The back teeth have pits and grooves that are deep and difficult to keep clean with normal brushing. Most tooth decay occurs in these hard-to-clean grooves. Sealants cover these grooves to keep out plaque and food debris and in turn reduce the risk of tooth decay. Sealants are quick and easy to apply and do not involve the use of anesthesia or drilling. It is recommended that sealants are placed as soon as permanent back teeth erupt. Once placed sealants are checked at every six-month exam to ensure that they are intact. They usually last for several years before reapplication is needed. Children are asked to avoid sticky, chewy candy to prolong the life of the sealant.
Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in all water sources including the oceans. Many years of research have shown that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay in children and adults and it also helps to repair weak tooth structure prior to the formation of a cavity. Fluoride is obtained in 2 forms: topical, which we get through toothpaste and systemic, which is best obtained in drinking tap water. We recommend that young children avoid fluoride toothpaste until they learn to spit well. Fluoride is safe to use and effective in the prevention of tooth decay if used properly. We recommend that your child receive an in-office fluoride treatment two times a year.
Mouth Guards
If your child participates in recreational activities and contact sports, we recommend the use of a mouth guard to prevent mouth and tooth injuries. It is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your child’s smile. A custom-made mouth guard can be more comfortable and will stay in place better while your child is wearing it. Call our office if you would like more information about mouth guards.
