Banner

Our Services

DENTAL DECAY-TOOTH FRACTURES AND MORE

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, your pediatric dentist stands ready to help. Please keep the emergency number available and convenient.

What Should I Do If My Child's Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out?

Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.

What Should I Do If My Child's Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out?

Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap –– use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. (Call the emergency number if it’s after hours.) The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

What If A Tooth Is Chipped Or Fractured?

Contact your pediatric dentist immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to the dental office.

What About A Severe Blow To The Head Or A Jaw Fracture?

You need immediate medical attention. A severe head injury can be life threatening. Keep in mind that an emergency medical team might be able to reach you faster than you can get to the hospital.

What If My Child Has A Toothache?

Call your pediatric dentist and visit the office promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

Can Dental Injuries Be Prevented?

Your child’s risk for dental injuries can be reduced greatly by following a few simple suggestions. First, reduce risk for severe oral injury in sports by wearing protective gear,including a mouthguard. Second, always use a car seat for young children and require seat belts for everyone else in the car. Third, childproof your home to prevent falls and electrical injuries. Regular dental heck-ups provide your dentist an opportunity to discuss additional age-appropriate preventive strategies with your child.

How Often Should a Child See the Dentist? 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. Your pediatric dentist will let you know the best appointment schedule for your child.

Why Visit the Dentist Twice Per Year When My Child Has Never Had A Cavity? 

Regular dental visits help your child stay cavity-free. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build up on the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Hygiene instructions improve your child’s brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.

Tooth decay is not the only reason for a dental visit. Your pediatric dentist provides an ongoing assessment of changes in your child’s oral health. For example, your child may need additional fluoride, dietary changes or sealants for ideal dental health. The pediatric dentist may identify orthodontic problems and suggest treatment to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth.

What Happens in A Dental Check-Up?

The pediatric dentist will review your child’s medical and dental history. He or she will gently examine your child’s teeth, oral tissues and jaws. Your pediatric dentist will not just talk to you about dental health, he or she will talk to your child with easily understandable words, pictures and ideas. Your child will be motivated to take responsibility for a healthy smile.

Will X-Rays Be Taken at Every Appointment? 

No. Pediatric dentists, acting in accordance with the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend X-rays only when necessary to protect your child’s dental health. For example, X-rays may be needed to diagnose tooth decay or abnormalities.
Or, they may be required for orthodontic treatment. Your pediatric dentist will discuss the need for X-rays with you before any are taken.

How Can I Help My Child Enjoy Good Dental Health?

The following steps will help your child be part of the cavity-free generation:

  • Beware of frequent snacking
  • Brush effectively twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste
  • Floss once a day
  • Have sealants applied when appropriate
  • Seek regular dental check-ups
  • Assure proper fluoride through drinking water, fluoride products or fluoride supplements.