Local Dental Care - Pediatric Dental Hygienist

Early Child Dentist Visits

Many people don't consider a child's need for pediatric dental care until they actually get their pearly whites. In fact, most kids don't see their child dentist until about two years of age (though they really should have their first appointment by their first birthday). Why spend a lot of time worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, right? While it's true that it's pointless to check an empty mouth for cavities, good child dental care habits begin long before a baby's first baby teeth break through the gums. Ensuring that teeth grow in healthy and in place will result in proper facial arrangement and speaking abilities.

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth!

Whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, baby gums need to be cleaned after every feeding. Just moisten a gauze square and gently wipe away plaque. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle containing anything but water! Sugar could decay teeth beginning to surface. It's also a difficult habit to break, so nix it now before you have to try to pry juice from your 5-year-old's hands.

Healthy Habits Last a Lifetime

Research shows that kids who are brushing their teeth by the age of five will continue this habit all their lives. Begin supervised flossing by this age as well, and be sure to get your child to a dentist by his or her first birthday. Remember that a healthy diet is an important part of good oral health, so reinforce wise food selections during each and every meal. Give your child a head start on good dental health!

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Stainless Steel Dental Crowns For Children's Molars

Primary (baby) molars with extensive decay, malformed enamel, advanced wear due to grinding, a missing replacement tooth, pulpotomy, or fracture may require coverage with a stainless steel crown in order to provide a durable restoration (filling).

Primary molars are shaped differently than permanent molars. Large amalgam (silver fillings) are not recommended for use in primary molars because they often fracture or crack. A fractured filling may not be evident until it falls out or until the tooth shows signs of abscess (infection). If a filling does fracture, decay may travel to the center of the tooth where the nerve and blood vessels lie. If the infection is caught early enough, a pulpotomy (described later) can be performed. If abscess has occurred, the tooth will often need to be extracted (removed). Early loss of a primary molar can create multiple other problems. Primary molars, and in particular first primary molars with decay on more than one surface, will have the benefit of a much more durable and reliable restoration with a stainless steel crown.

dental crowns. Not only are they more expensive, but the color match and the fit may not be as good. Tooth-colored crowns may appear to be bulky and the acrylic facings can fracture off, leaving exposed metal.

A primary molar may be restored with a stainless steel crown during one appointment. The decay is removed, the tooth is shaped for a crown, the appropriate size crown is selected, and the crown is cemented. The crown must be brushed when brushing the other teeth. Sticky foods such as caramels and taffy can pull the crown off. If this should occur, your pediatric dentist can usually replace the same crown in a few minutes.

A pulpotomy is necessary if bacteria have entered the area deep inside the crown of the tooth because of decay or fracture. This area is called the pulp chamber. It contains nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues that are necessary for the tooth to be healthy. A pulpotomy removes the unhealthy tissues only in the crown portion of the tooth. The nerves, blood supply, and tissues in the root(s) are not removed. If the bacteria are not removed, the tooth will abscess. A medicated filling is placed in the pulp chamber after the infected tissues are removed. A stainless steel crown should be placed in order to provide support for the walls of the tooth.

The tooth is once again healthy and in most cases will last until the Tooth Fairy says it's time to go!

by Jane A. Soxman, DDS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.