Ask The Expert :: Stone Oak & Dominion Dentistry

This is a sponsored post from Stone Oak & Dominion Pediatric Dentistry. SOPD is a partner of Alamo City Moms Blog but they also serve as the pediatric dentists for a number of the ACMB team and we highly recommend their services!

Ask the Expert :: Stone Oak and Dominion Pediatric Dentistry

A few weeks ago on our Facebook page, we asked Alamo City Moms Blog readers what they would ask a pediatric dentist if they had the opportunity to get their questions answered. We turned to our experts with Stone Oak & Dominion Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Courtney, Dr. Susie and Dr. Renee.

Reader Question: When should you schedule your child’s first dental appointment?

Dr. Renee:  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend a dental visit for children by age one.  Early establishment of a Dental Home will allow for evaluation to ensure your child’s oral/dental development is appropriate, and will provide you with the invaluable information to help create a preventive plan that will last a lifetime.

Ask the Expert :: SOPD
The lovely and amazing dentists of Stone Oak and Dominion Pediatric Dentistry.

Reader Question: When can I teach my child to brush their own teeth as opposed to me doing it for him? 

Dr. Courtney: Most children will need their parents to brush their teeth for them at night-time until at least the age of five. Kindergarten through second grade children can brush on their own with supervision from a  parent. Once the child is in 3rd grade, they should have enough manual dexterity to be able to brush on their own. It is always a good idea, however, for the parent to check to make sure the child has brushed and flossed nightly.[divider]

Reader Question: Should I be flossing my child’s teeth? 

Dr. Courtney: Parents should begin flossing their children’s teeth at the age the teeth are contacting (you cannot see space between the two teeth). Many children have their two front upper teeth contacting before the age of 2 and flossing should begin then. Many have spacing between their anterior (front) teeth and do not have teeth that are touching until the second molars erupt between 2-1/2 and 3 years of age. It is important that you start flossing once you notice that the child’s molars are coming in. We recommend using the plastic flossers on a stick. They are easier to use on children and come in lots of colors and even unique shapes. You can also put a small amount of toothpaste on a napkin and then run the floss through it.  This will help by lubricating the floss and will also get fluoride between the teeth.

Healthy habits: start them young!
It’s important to start healthy dental habits at an early age. These include flossing daily.

Reader Question: When should I start using fluoride on my kid’s teeth?

Dr. Susie: Optimal exposure to fluoride is important to all infants with teeth and children. Decisions concerning the administration of Fluoride are based on the unique needs of each patient. In children under the age of two at high to moderate risk for tooth decay, a “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste should be used. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a small pea-sized amount of toothpaste and encourage your child to spit the excess toothpaste out rather than swallowing it.  The safety and efficacy of Fluoride in proper amounts is well documented. The Fluoride ion has a strong affinity for the crystalline structure of tooth enamel and strengthens it.

Reader Question: Are there certain foods or drinks we should avoid altogether for dental health?

Dr. Susie: In children who harbor the bacteria that cause cavities (mutans streptococci), fermentable carbohydrates will feed the bacteria which excrete acids, causing holes in the teeth. Children seem to like foods and drinks that are sour and tart and consequently contain larger amounts of acidity. The acid in many foods and drinks will dissolve the enamel where it sits on the tooth. It is a good idea to avoid any candy with the name “sour” or “tart” in it. We also recommend avoiding fruit roll-ups, fruit snacks, and even gummy vitamins because they are acidic and tend to stick to the teeth which can lead to cavities.

Reader Question: So you do really need to get minor cavities filled when they are in baby teeth?

Dr. Renee: Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important for eating, speech, esthetics, and they act as guides for permanent teeth eruption.   Untreated tooth decay can lead to oral/dental pain, infection, loss of teeth and expensive and mostly preventable emergency and restorative interventions.
Pain from tooth decay can prevent a child from eating correctly, impacting overall health and development.

Reader Question: What are the safest, most effective teething remedies?

Dr. Susie: The safest remedies include oral analgesics and chilled rings for the child to “gum”. Use of topical anesthetics, including over the counter teething gels, to relieve discomfort are discouraged due to potential toxicity of the products in infants. Children perceive the “numb” feeling as pain, so numbing gel or lotion will not be helpful. For more information go to www.aapd.org

Reader Question: My child grinds her teeth. What can we do to stop it?

Dr. Renee: Many children experience teeth grinding (bruxism), which is usually noticed while they are sleeping.  Although there is no definitive answer why, several factors can contribute to this habit.  One of the most common causes for grinding in young children may be the pressures from physiologic change (loosing teeth, erupting teeth, growth).  The sound is much worse than the damage to their teeth for most children.  Once they have their permanent molars, the majority of these children will grow out of the grinding habit.

Reader Question: My child loves chomping ice.  Is this harmful to her teeth? 

Dr. Courtney: Chomping on ice is NOT a good idea and can be harmful to your child’s teeth. If your child has sealants, chewing on ice can cause the sealants to chip and come off.  In addition, ice chewing can cause cusp tips on teeth to fracture off.  Chewing on ice can develop into a habit that the child continues into later years and even into adulthood, which can result in serious damage to the teeth.[hr]


Y3e529_www.sopdtx.com

Stone Oak & Dominion Pediatric Dentistry specializes in dentistry for children from infancy to age thirteen. Their offices provide a fun, kid-friendly environment to put children at ease from the moment they step in the door. Each of the doctors on staff with Stone Oak & Pediatric Dentistry are not only caring doctors, but also moms themselves! With offices in both Stone Oak and Dominion, the team at Stone Oak & Dominion Pediatric Dentistry looks forward to meeting you and your family!

Brooke
Brooke graduated high school from right here in San Antonio. After twelve years of living everywhere from Colorado to Greece, London to Atlanta, she and her husband have made San Antonio home and have become parents to their daughter and son. Brooke loves finding undiscovered activities around the city and dragging her kids along! She is a runner, an amateur cook that loves trying out San Antonio’s growing culinary scene and is actively involved in non-profit organizations in San Antonio.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Good to know about when to floss. I took my son to this practice when he was 10 months. They are wonderful!

  2. We love this dentistry practice! My son had an injured tooth as a little baby and they treated us with amazing care!

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