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Information Library

We have compiled a number of pediatric dental resources to help inform you on the best dental care for your child. Please review the documents below. If you have any questions feel free to contact us for more information.

Preventive Dental Care Trauma Information & Documents Other Dental Concerns Dental Treatments Orthodontic Appliances

Preventive Dental Care

Diet & Snacking

A healthy diet is a balanced diet that naturally supplies all the nutrients your child needs to grow. What’s a balanced diet? One that includes the following major food groups every day: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, meat, fish, and eggs

Recommendations

Daily oral hygiene – small amount of fluoride toothpaste on brush (2 daily)
Diet – eliminate bottles with sugared fluids/juices. Limit between meals.
Sugar free gum – parent of high risk infant xylitol-containing gum
Antibacterial rinse – parent use chlorhexidine gluconate once daily for 2 weeks every 2-3 months. Use fluoride rinse daily in intervening weeks.
For dry mouth in children over 5 years of age – baking soda toothpaste with fluoride, xylitol gum, rinse frequently with baking soda suspension in water.

Trauma Information & Documents

Dental Injury Timeline

Post Trauma Instructions

Wound Care Information

Keep the wound moist and/or greasy with Vaseline.
If the wound gets pus filled, then use an AAA ointment.
Use soap and water to clean the wound and its surrounding area.
Lubricate the wound at mealtimes and bedtimes and if possible keep covered at all times. Keep out of direct sunlight.
Diet is very important during wound recovery. Eat high in protein and lots of fruits and vegetables. Also take a multivitamin.
If you have or develop fever and swelling, call your pediatric dentist for an appointment. You might need an antibiotic prescription.

Other Dental Concerns

Apthous Ulcers

Apthous ulcers are recurrent, painful and superficial oral ulcers that last about 8-14 days.

Bruxism

Bruxism (grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw) is fairly common among toddlers. About 15 percent of children grind their teeth, mainly between ages three and ten.

Enamel Hypoplasia

Enamel hypoplasia can be caused by several different factors. Interruption of the development of the tooth at the initial stage of enamel formation can cause discoloration of the tooth. This can be as mild as a small white spot to a severe pitted brownish yellow area in the enamel of the tooth.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

Usually affects children between ages 1 to 10 years old.
Primary disease had incubation period of 4 days to 2 weeks
Typical route of exposure is direct physical contact with contaminated utensils, towels, or drinking glasses which were used by a person with herpetic lesions.

Interproximal Decay

The term interproximal means between two adjacent surfaces. Decay found on the smooth surfaces between two teeth is termed interproximal decay. This area is difficult, if not impossible, to visually examine clinically with an explorer. Therefore, dental radiographs are necessary to properly determine if your child has decay.

Dental Treatments

Air Abrasion

Air abrasion is a new technology that uses air powder spray to clean to the depth of each tooth groove. It is an effective tool in diagnosing stained or suspicious grooves of teeth. This determines if a sealant or resin filling will be placed.

Sealants

Sealants are applied to act as a safe and effective barrier protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.

Sealants generally last an average of 3-5 years. When your child comes in for their recare visits, we check to assure the sealant remains intact as the barrier of protection we intend it to be. If we detect chips or fractures in the sealant, they can be repaired easily if detected early.

Stainless Steel Crowns & Pulp Therapy

Pulp therapy is the treatment of infected nerves and blood vessels in teeth. Pulp therapy generally becomes necessary for two reasons: either as a result of extensive tooth decay (dental caries); or as the result of tooth injury.

Steps Through Dental Surgery Process

Orthodontic Appliances

Crossbite

A crossbite is when the transverse relationship of the maxillary (upper) teeth and mandibular (lower) teeth are not in the appropriate position for a correct bite. This can be a dental (tooth) crossbite or a skeletal (bone) crossbite.

Quad-Helix Expander

Second primary molars typically exfoliate around 12 years of age. When lost prematurely, it is necessary to hold the space created. The permanent teeth will be unable to come in properly if the space is not maintained.

Anterior Crossbite Appliance with Finger Springs

The purpose of the upper lingual arch appliance with finger springs is to correct an anterior or front tooth crossbite. This appliance helps to align the anterior teeth and create dental arch symmetry. Correction of the crossbite will help eliminate traumatic occlusion on the front teeth and prevent gingival problems, such as gum recession or bone loss.

Space Maintainers

Second primary molars typically exfoliate around 12 years of age. When lost prematurely, it is necessary to hold the space created. The permanent teeth will be unable to come in properly if the space is not maintained.

Distal Shoe Appliance

Second primary molars typically exfoliate around 12 years of age. When lost prematurely, it is necessary to hold the space created. The permanent teeth will be unable to come in properly if the space is not maintained.

Information on Orthodontic Appliances

Important information for when your child receives an orthodontic or space maintaining appliance.

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