Pediatric Dentistry

Starting at birth, clean your baby’s gums with water and a clean cloth or an infant toothbrush. As soon as the first tooth erupts, brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend using a smear amount of toothpaste for children under 3 years old and a pea-size dollop for children 3 to 6 years. Parents should teach their children to spit out toothpaste as soon as they're old enough to do so.

Young children do not have the manual dexterity to brush their teeth efficiently. Parents are encouraged to supervise their children’s flossing and toothbrushing until they are about 7 to 8 years old.

It’s recommended that parents take their baby to a pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth erupts and no longer than his or her first birthday. Pediatric dentists can detect early signs of tooth decay (also called cavities or caries) and offer parents valuable advice on proper oral hygiene, oral and facial development, nutrition, oral habits (pacifier use, thumbsucking, mouthbreathing), breastfeeding/bottle feeding habits and fluoride needs.

Your child’s milk teeth or baby teeth not only allow your child to chew naturally and speak clearly, they also save the space for the permanent teeth that are growing underneath them.

A cavity on children’s milk teeth can spread to the surrounding tissues and cause swelling and pain. The infection can also damage the permanent tooth forming underneath or reach deep into the nerves which can later on require a root canal.

A cavity not always cause symptoms. A child may feel pain or sensitivity to certain food or drinks, but these symptoms vary from child to child. There are times when we see young patients who do not know they have cavities at all, and this is why regular check-ups are important.

Cavities often start as chalky white spots that form on the teeth, followed by yellow or light brown discoloration. As the cavity grows deeper, the color turns a darker shade of brown to black. If you notice any of these on your child’s tooth, speak to a pediatric dentist.

Tooth decay can begin early and one of the most common causes is Early Childhood Caries (formerly called nursing caries or baby bottle tooth decay). Avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. If your child must go to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup, fill it only with water. Brush and floss your child’s teeth regularly and take your child to a pediatric dentist.

Rinse your child’s mouth with warm salter water and apply a cold compress if there is swelling. Never put aspirin on your child’s tooth. You may give your child an appropriate dose of over-the-counter pain medication to relieve the pain. Call your pediatric dentist right away.

Learn how to deal with children’s dental emergencies.

In many cases, nature takes care of this situation. The tongue pushes the new teeth forward as they erupt, causing the milk teeth to exfoliate and no treatment is needed. However, there are circumstances when the milk teeth have to be extracted. If you are concerned, do not hesitate to speak your pediatric dentist.

Dental sealants work by protecting the grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth. Sealants cover these crevices and shut out food debris that could get caught and build up in the teeth. The application is fast, pain-free and takes only one appointment.