If you have young children and are looking for a unique and wonderful dental experience, please check out our sister clinic - Kids Dental. At Kids Dental they're making tooth decay history. In the past, dentists have managed tooth decay with a surgical, invasive approach, primarily filling cavities. Little attention had been paid to the germ that caused the cavity in the first place. Their approach is different. They emphasize a medical approach that focuses on early intervention and prevention of this infectious disease through bacterial testing and innovative preventive treatments. Visit the Kids Dental Website for more information.
We strongly believe that children are extraordinary. Our dedicated team of Dentists, Orthodontists and Hygienists chose to make a career in pediatric dentistry out of a love for children and a desire to promote cavity free dentistry.
You may think, what's the big deal about tooth decay? Beyond the obvious fact that the best dentistry is no dentistry, recent research has shown that cavity free children are more likely to grow to their ideal weight and height. Emerging research is also linking good dental health with a decrease risk of stroke and heart disease later in life.
The first dental visit should be no later than your child's first birthday. The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask the parent to sit in the dental chair and hold their child during the examination.
We will gently examine your child's teeth and gums. X-rays may be taken (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child's permanent teeth under the gums). Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child's teeth.
We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. Your child's reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.
Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. At our office we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child's teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child's lifetime of good oral health.
Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their foods the longer the residue stays on their teeth, the greater the chances of getting cavities.
Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.
Consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference; thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn allows more of the acid-producing bacteria that can cause cavities.
The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby's teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.
At around 2 1/2 years old your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don't. Don't worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children are different.
Baby teeth are important as they not only hold space for permanent teeth but they are important to chewing, biting, speech and appearance.
For this reason it is important to maintain a healthy diet and daily hygiene.