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Pediatric Dentist

Nov 19

Daughter’s elbow loosened son’s tooth. Is a pediatric dentist necessary?

By Damaged Tooth, Pediatric Dentist

My 7-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter were wrestling yesterday evening. They play around a lot, which is fine with me, but sometimes they get a little rough. The 3-year-old can actually handle it. While they were wrestling, my son tried to pin her down. He is careful not to hurt her, but this time she hurt him instead.

She took defense with her elbow, which went right into my son’s mouth.  Her elbow hit one of his teeth pretty hard. The tooth bled for about 20 minutes and today before he went to school he said it hurts a little.

I checked it and it’s a little loose. I wasn’t really worried about it because it’s not a permanent tooth, but my husband thinks we need to have it looked at by our pediatric dentist. Is this really necessary? I don’t want to call the office because I know they will tell me to bring my son in whether it’s needed or not. Thanks. Cherise

Cherise – When a tooth is loosened it is normal for it to bleed a little from the gums. A slightly loose tooth usually tightens up on its own.

If the tooth feels very loose, or if your son is in persistent pain, you should call your pediatric dentist. Your dentist will likely want to check the tooth anyway to see if it needs to be repositioned, or if it’s very loose, your dentist may want to remove the tooth altogether.

If a primary tooth is loose and needs to be extracted, a spacer may be needed to hold the place for the permanent tooth so that the adjacent teeth won’t shift into the space.

Contacting your pediatric dentist just to check out the tooth is a good precaution.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Oct 30

My kid’s pediatric dentist yelled at us

By Pediatric Dentist

I have 2 kids. My son is 4 yrs old and my daughter is 8 yrs old. The 4 yr old is afraid of nothing including the dentist. My daughter has always been afraid of the dentist even though to my knowledge she has never had a bad experience. The last 2 dental appointments my daughter had did not go well. She got really nervous and teary both times. On her most recent visit 3 weeks ago, the teeth cleaning went okay because the hygienist was patient, but when the dentist came in he looked at my daughter and said, “What are you crying for? Cry babies don’t get balloons in this office.” I think it scared my daughter so she really started sobbing. I tried to comfort her and the dentist yelled at me and told me that they didn’t need me in the room. He said I was making it worse for my daughter. I didn’t leave the room. I asked him to release my daughter so we could reschedule. We have been going to this dentist for 3 years. Although I was never really thrilled with the dentist, I didn’t dislike him either and we have been very pleased with the hygienists. I didn’t want to make a quick decision on whether or not to return, so I gave it some time. Any suggestions? – Heather

Heather – If your daughter is uncomfortable with dental appointments, her most recent experience has made her even more uncomfortable. Her long-term oral health is too important to allow her to have traumatic dental appointments.

Yelling at patients is unacceptable. You can consider finding a new pediatric dentist. Ask friends for references or do Internet searches to find a few experienced dentists. Request consultations and take your children with you to the appointments. You will be able to see the office, and meet the staff and dentist to help you decide on a dentist with whom you and your children are comfortable.

After your first official appointment, if you or your children are not comfortable, don’t hesitate to move on.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Sep 30

Pediatric dentist for thumb sucking?

By Thumb Sucking

My 7 yr old is still sucking her thumb. I think it’s a nervous habit. I’m getting her help regarding her anxiety, but I want to help her stop the thumb sucking before it ruins her teeth. My sister told me I should mention it to my daughter’s pediatric dentist. Can the dentist help? Samantha

Samantha – Your daughter’s pediatric dentist can help.  An oral appliance, referred to as a habit breaker, can be used.  The appliance will prevent your daughter from putting her thumb in her mouth.

Initially the appliance can make the tongue sore, and your daughter will have to adjust to speaking while wearing it. The appliance is not removable, and it usually breaks the habit within 12 months.

If your daughter’s pediatric dentist doesn’t provide the appliance, you will be able to receive one from an orthodontist.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Aug 16

Can I be with my child for her pediatric dentist appointment?

By Pediatric Dentist

My daughter needs to see a pediatric dentist. I had a consultation and liked everything about the dentist until she told me can’t go in the treatment room with child. Is this customary for pediatric dentists? My daughter is only 3 years old. This is her first dental visit. I am not going to leave her alone with strangers. Don’t I have a right to be in the treatment room? – Danielle

Danielle – Your concern is understandable. As a parent, you should be able to go into the treatment room with your child. If the dentist you found refuses to allow you in the room, consider finding another pediatric dentist who welcomes parents in during dental procedures for their children.

If you accompany your daughter during the dental procedure—particularly for her first dental visit—both you and she will be more comfortable during treatment, and the dental visit is likely to be more productive.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Mar 23

Does my 4 yr old really need a cavity filled?

By Dental Fillings, Pediatric Dentist

My 4 yr old son needs to have a cavity filled is it safe and necessary? – Carlie

Carlie – Cavities can grow fast in primary teeth, and if the cavity is not filled, your son will develop a toothache. A cavity left untreated can cause your son to prematurely lose the tooth.

Primary front teeth are lost between the ages of six and eight. Molar teeth can remain up to age 12. Primary teeth need to be preserved to help guide permanent teeth to the correct position.

Your son’s tooth can be filled with white composite filling, instead of amalgam or “silver filling.” Speak with your dentist about your concerns. He or she will be able to explain the state of the tooth that needs to be filled, what can happen if you choose not to fill it, and the type of material that will be used for the filling.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Mar 07

Preparing a child with autism for his first dental appointment

By Pediatric Dentist

Hello. My four-year-old son is autistic. I need to schedule a dental appointment for him very soon. Do you have any suggestions on how to make his first dental appointment go as smoothly as possible? Thank you – Marian

Marian – If your current dentist is comfortable with treating children, you may consider making an appointment there. Some dentists refer children to a pediatric dentist for treatment. Pediatric dentists have two years of additional training specifically for treating children. A pediatric dentist is more likely to have treated children with autism.

As you know, autistic children prefer to have things that are familiar to them, and to be in a familiar environment. If you explain to your son’s dentist that he is autistic, it may be possible to take your son to the office in advance of the appointment, so he can see the office, treatment room, and equipment.

You can also bring along your child’s favorite toy, blanket, sweater, or whatever tends to soothe him in unfamiliar surroundings.

Despite the steps you take beforehand, you can expect some discomfort on the first appointment. Finding the right dentist who is willing to treat your son is important to helping him be comfortable. There are many pediatric dentists who are accustomed to treating children with autism. You may wish to do some Internet research for such or dentist, or make some phone calls and specifically ask for a consultation with the dentist of your choice before scheduling an appointment.

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Dec 25

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

By Pediatric Dentist

Baby bottle tooth decay is the term used when infants and toddlers get decay in their teeth—even though the teeth are temporary.

Why should you be concerned about decay in a child’s temporary teeth? Teeth affect the ability to chew, speak properly, and to have a healthy-looking smile. Healthy first teeth affect healthy adult teeth.

If babies or toddlers are put in bed with a bottle, or if they drink lots of sugary drinks, tooth decay is promoted. Inadequate fluoride also promotes tooth decay.

What can you do to keep your baby’s teeth and gums healthy? Avoid filling his or her bottle with sugar water, sugary juices or soda. Before teeth erupt, after feeding, wipe his or her gums with a clean, soft damp cloth. Avoid giving him or her sugary snacks.

When teeth erupt, brush them with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. As your child’s dexterity improves, teach him or her to practice good oral hygiene. Teach your child to brush and floss his or her teeth.

When teeth appear, have a dentist examine your child’s teeth and gums. Don’t take temporary tooth for granted.

 

This post is sponsored by Naperville dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Jun 07

Should my son’s baby teeth be extracted

By Pediatric Dentist

I have a 2o month old little boy. He recently had an injury that affected his front teeth. There is now green discoloration on them. I’ve heard that could be because I gave him a bottle, but I didn’t give him one often, so I think it is from the injury. Do I need to have his front teeth extracted? If so, how do I keep his other teeth from shifting?

Francis in Wyoming

Francis,

Bottle feeding doesn’t actually cause discoloration. It can cause tooth decay if you put them to bed with a bottle, because then the formula just sits on their teeth. The green discoloration is probably from bacteria. It is not unusual for children to get weird stains on their teeth. As their body adapts to their environment, it goes away naturally. I would just take your son to a dentist to have his teeth cleaned and examined.

If you had his teeth extracted, you could have space maintainers placed in order to keep his other teeth from shifting. However, I don’t recommend extraction because he’ll need his teeth for proper speech development. Go see a good pediatric dentist and then take it from there.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

You may be interested to read more about Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Dec 26

Baby molar extraction

By Pediatric Dentist

My six year old has two infected and broken molars. Both are baby teeth. They broke because of decay. Our dentist wants us to pull the teeth. Is that ok? Why not do a root canal?

Karen S.- Florida

Karen,

When an adult tooth is infected, we do a root canal. However, root canals rarely work for baby teeth, especially baby molars. Extracting the teeth is the right thing to do. I assume your dentist is going to place one or two space maintainers after the extraction. If he or she is not planning on doing that, and didn’t recommend it, I suggest finding a different pediatric dentist.

Space maintaners are very important in these circumstances. At her age, her permanent first molars have either just erumpted or are about to erupt.  Without the space maintainers they will drift forward and block her permanent premolars. If this happens they could erupt sideways or not at all.

This blog is brought to you by the Naperville pediatric dentists of ndscare.com

Jul 30

First Dental Visit

By Pediatric Dentist

I’m about to take my son to his first dental appointment. I wondered what your opinion is as to how to prepare him. He’s three years old and likes to know things ahead of time, but I’m not sure how much to say.

Deanna D.- Tallahassee

Deanna,

It is fantastic that you are being so proactive with your son’s dental care. My suggestion is when you bring up his dental appointment, don’t make a big deal out of it. If you treat it as a normal part of his dental hygiene, like brushing, he’ll be less uptight. Children sense when we are nervous and it makes them nervous as well. You could simply say that he is going to get a special cleaning for his teeth and leave it at that. Of course, answer any questions he has, but keep the tone upbeat and simple.

You want his first appointment to be before he has any dental issues. Focus his preparation on hygiene training. Brushing his teeth should be mandatory. There are plenty of ways to make this fun, instead of a battle.  You can play games together, or get stickers. Whatever works best for him. This way his first appointment will be a good experience, instead of dealing with a cavity.

Equally as important as preparation for the appointment is choosing the dentist. There are many great pediatric dentists available. However, there are also great general dentists who are qualified and love treating children. It is convenient to have the whole family seen in the same office. You want it to be a dentist who is comfortable with and enjoys children.  One way to tell if a dentist is comfortable treating children is the age they prefer to see them. If they prefer to wait until they are over seven, that is a sign they’re not comfortable around children. On the other hand, if they’ll see children as young as one you can tell they are comfortable with them and enjoy treating them. Some dentists do not allow parents in the treatment room, so if that is important to you or your child, you should ask the office ahead of time about their policy.

You may also be interested on our page on Tooth Decay Treatment and Prevention.

This blog is brought to you by Naperville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

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