Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should my child first see a dentist?

When the first tooth erupts, typically between six and twelve months of age, you should bring your child to a pediatric dentist, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. One way to remember this is to bring your child to the dentist by the first birthday. Start your child early on a lifetime of healthy dentistry.

How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?

Baby bottle tooth decay, also known as nursing caries, is a big concern for many babies. Baby-bottle tooth decay occurs when a child falls asleep with a bottle of milk or sweet juice in the mouth. That is why we encourage your child to drink from a cup by the first birthday. Children should also be weaned from the bottle by 12 months of age.

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist?

Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the dental health of children and patients with special needs. They are also referred to as the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has up to three years of specialty training beyond that of a general dentist. Pediatric dentists focus on the oral health and unique needs of infants and children through adolescence. When the child graduates from high school, the child also graduates from the pediatric dentist.

What about thumb sucking or using a pacifier?

For infants, sucking is a normal habit that provides security, however, it is a good idea to discourage it by the age of two years old. If your child continues to suck the thumb or use a pacifier while the teeth are growing, it can create bite problems, or crowded, crooked teeth. Dr. B can encourage your child to stop sucking the thumb or pacifier during a visit. Coupled with support from you, this encouragement can be very effective in helping your child stop. If your children are still sucking their thumbs or using a pacifier by the time the permanent teeth arrive, Dr. B may recommend a mouth appliance.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

For any pain, give the child acetaminophen, such as Tylenol. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area. As soon as possible, call Dr. B.

What should I do if my child's tooth is knocked out?

Call Dr. B immediately. The most important thing is to find the tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and rinse it gently in cool water. If possible, try to put the tooth back into your child's socket and hold it there with a wash cloth or clean gauze. If it isn't possible to place the tooth back in the mouth, put it in a clean container with milk, saliva, or water. Then get to Dr. B's office right away. The faster you act, the better chance you have of saving the tooth.

What if my child receives a jaw fracture of a severe blow to the head?

This can be a life-threatening situation. Immediately go the emergency room of your local hospital.

Can we prevent dental injuries?

Mouthguards in sports are excellent for preventing dental injuries. Dr. B can create a custom-fitted soft plastic mouthguard for your child to be used to protect the child's teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from a sport-related injury. To prevent other injuries, always use a car seat for your children and seatbelts for everyone else in the car. Be sure to child-proof your home to prevent choking on small objects, electrical injuries, or to prevent falls. To prevent unnecessary toothaches, bring your child for regular dental visits.

How often should my child see the pediatric dentist?

To prevent cavities and other dental problems, a check-up ever six months is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build up on the teeth, irritate gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Dr. B will tell you when and how often your child should visit based on his or her personal oral health.

What are sealants and how do they work?

Sealants are made of clear or shaded plastic, and they are applied to the child's teeth to help keep them cavity-free. They protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are formed. The sealants shut out food particles that could get caught in the teeth. The early years are the most cavity-prone years, and that is we recommend sealants for your young children.

Their application is quick and comfortable, and it only takes one visit. First Dr. B cleans the tooth, then conditions and dries it. Then he flows the sealant onto the grooves of the tooth and allows it to harden with a special light. Your child can eat right after the appointment. If properly cared for, research shows that sealants can last for many years.

Post-operative extraction instructions

Your child has had one or more teeth extracted. Here are some general guidelines for after-extraction care.

All children will have the extraction area numbed with local anesthetic before the extraction. This local anesthetic will last 1 to 3 hours after the tooth extraction. There may be some pain after the numbness wears off. To alleviate the pain after an extraction, your child should have an age/weight appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol) before the numbness wears off. Once the numbness wears off, the medication should be continued for the next 24 to 48 hours as needed for pain.

There will be some bleeding. The heaviest bleeding occurs in the first 15 to 30 minutes after tooth extraction. Oozing of blood can continue for 3 to 6 hours after the extraction. Placing direct pressure on the extraction site for up to 30 minutes with a gauze, washcloth, or tissue paper can control most of the normal bleeding.

In the meantime,

• Your child's cheek, lip and tongue will be numb for 1 to 3 hours.

• Keep the gauze in place with biting pressure for 30 minutes.

• Give your child an appropriate dose of pain-relieving medicine when you take out the gauze.

• Instruct your child to not scratch, chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue or cheek while they feel numb.

• Watch your child closely so he or she does not injure the lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off. As this area "wakes up," it will feel funny.

• Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.

• Do not spit excessively or drink through a straw. This can start the bleeding again.

• Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the rest of the day.

• Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

• Maintain a soft diet for one or two days. Encourage plenty of liquids (water, soups, juices)

• A regular diet can be started as tolerated by your child.

• Cold foods, such as popsicles, milkshakes, crushed ice, may feel the best during the first 6 to 12 hours.

• Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction. The child can be encouraged to take a nap.

• Within 14 days, almost all patients will be healed from extractions.

Call us at (901) 415-2536 (415-BLEN) if you have any questions or concerns, particularly if your child has prolonged bleeding, pain after the first 48 hours, or an extraction site that won't heal after 14 days.