A dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating applied to teeth with ridges and grooves, typically the molar teeth. Bacteria and bits of food can collect in the pits and cracks—or fissures—in the teeth. These are areas where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. A sealant helps protect the chewing surfaces of adult molars against decay.
Sealants are recommended for children with high risk of decay as soon as adult molars come in, or “erupt.” Sealants are typically placed on the six-year and...
What is a dental sealant and who should get it?
There are two reasons why restoring cavities on baby teeth is important.
(1) Untreated decay in a single tooth can harbor bacteria which can affect nearby teeth and, if left untreated, may affect the permanent tooth developing beneath the baby tooth. This can lead to pain, infection, tooth loss and gum disease and other serious health conditions.
(2) In addition, baby teeth fulfill very important growth functions for kids. They help children develop proper chewing habits,...
Why should I fill cavities on baby teeth?
A toothache can stem from a number of factors. Often, the toothache is caused by a cavity or an injury to the tooth – both situations may require dental treatment.
If your child has a toothache or trauma (injury) to a tooth, please contact your dentist as soon as possible so your child can be evaluated and proper steps can be taken to address your child’s specific dental needs.
What should I do if my child has a toothache?
They can be. Vigorous thumb-sucking, extensive pacifier use and prolonged use of baby bottles can negatively impact teeth alignment and the healthy growth of a child’s mouth. Talk to your dentist for tips on how to encourage your child to kick the sucking habit.
Are thumb-sucking and/or pacifiers harmful for a child's teeth?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should first see the dentist by one year (12 months) of age. Thereafter, children should see the dentist every six months unless otherwise directed by your dentist.
Learn more:
Regular dental cleanings and exams
Your child's dental health timeline
How often does my child need to see the dentist?
Toothpaste can be used from the appearance of your baby’s first tooth. Choose a toothpaste specifically formulated for the age of your child. Child appropriate dental hygiene products (toothpaste, mouth rinse) have lower fluoride levels and come in flavors that kids enjoy. At the beginning, use no more than the length of a grain of rice because babies don’t know how to expectorate on demand. You can work up to a pea-sized portion as your toddler grows.
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Toothpaste: When should we begin using it and how much should we use?
Tooth decay can be prevented with a combination of healthy diet, proper daily teeth cleaning and regular dental hygiene visits. Establish a relationship with a dentist around your child’s first birthday, so the dentist can monitor your child’s dental health and help you prevent tooth decay. At home, be sure your child brushes after breakfast and before bedtime every day for at least two minutes. Limit your child’s intake of sugary food and drinks, and starchy, refined carbohydrates.
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How do I prevent tooth decay?
Foods high in sugars and starches feed the plaque that can cause tooth decay. Sticky candies like lollipops, caramels and jelly beans are particularly harmful, but cookies, chips and other starches can be equally harmful because they break down into simple sugars. Carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks and fruit juice contain lots of sugar and acids that can wear away tooth enamel.
Also, note, fruit and other foods can be healthy to eat, but also contains large amounts of natural...
What foods cause cavities?
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel covering your teeth. Enamel is the white part of your teeth and the strongest material in the human body. Each day, the enamel goes through a process of demineralization, as acid-creating bacteria eat away at the surface of the teeth and fluoride helps rebuild the tooth’s protective mineral layer.
Tap water and tooth paste may serve as sources of fluoride for children to facilitate remineralization. In addition, we recommend...
What does fluoride do for my child’s teeth? What is the best way to get the right levels?
Dental x-rays are among the safest medical x-rays to receive. In fact, children are exposed to more radiation just walking outside in the sun than from an x-ray administered in a dentist’s office. Advances in dental x-ray technology have made the beams from x-rays extremely focused, limiting nearly all scatter radiation. In our practice, we use state of the art equipment designed for the safety of all of our patients. Talk to your dentist about any concerns you may have.
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How safe are dental X-rays?
