Dental Emergencies
What Should I Do If My Child’s Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Contact our office at 215-860-9808 as soon as possible. The baby tooth should not be replanted because of the potential for subsequent damage to the developing permanent tooth.
What Should I Do If My Child’s Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water (do not scrub or clean it with soap). If possible, immediately replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth.
If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place it in a clean container with cold milk, saliva, or water. Call our office immediately or the emergency number if it’s after hours. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
What If A Tooth Is Chipped Or Fractured?
Contact our office immediately. Quick action can save the tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for extensive dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip is also injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk or water and bring it with you to our office.
What If My Child Has A Toothache?
Call our office so we can help you and your child. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication, dosed according to your child’s weight and age, might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.
General Questions
At what age should my child start visiting the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child first see the dentist after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
Bitten or cut tongue, lip, or cheek
Apply direct pressure to the bleeding area with a clean cloth or gauze. Ice or an ice pop can provide comfort. If there is swelling, apply a cold compress. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or is not controlled by simple pressure, proceed to the emergency room.
Broken Tooth
Gently clean any dirt from the injured area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the injured area. If possible, try to find the tooth fragments and put them in milk. Then call our office!
How do we prevent early tooth decay?
Dental problems can develop early. A baby risks dental decay when they continuously nurse from the breast or drink from a bottle. Babies should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals.
How safe are dental x-rays?
Dental X-rays are safe and useful diagnostic tools when helping your dentist detect damage and disease not visible during a regular dental exam. At Growing Smiles in Floral Vale, we are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and digital X-rays are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.
Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Brushing
Use a fluoride toothpaste and a soft bristle brush. For children younger than 3, brushing with a rice or smear amount of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended. For ages 3 and older, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is all you need! Help your child brush at least twice daily, after breakfast and before bedtime. The sooner you begin brushing, the better.
Toothpaste – Which ones are best?
When choosing a toothpaste, make sure it has fluoride. Most toothpaste is about 0.1 percent to 0.6 percent fluoride. Children under 6 should use toothpaste with a lower amount of fluoride in case they inadvertently swallow a large amount.
Also, look for the ADA seal. This means the American Dental Association has tested and approved the product for safety and effectiveness.
Lastly, trust your child’s taste. Buying a paste that your child likes makes it more likely that they will brush thoroughly and often.
Teething in Babies
Does your child grind his teeth at night?
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, often occurs unconsciously while you sleep. It is very common in children as their dentition changes, particularly during the time when they lose their baby teeth and the permanent teeth erupt.
What should I know about teething?
Your child will have tender gums from six months to age 3 when the teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon, or cold wet washcloth. Teething gels are not recommended.
Why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers, or other objects?
This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it is a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born.
Sealant Information
What are sealants?
A sealant is a plastic material (resin) applied to the chewing surfaces of the permanent back teeth, the premolars, and the molars. The resin bonds to the depressions and grooves of the back teeth. It forms a thin covering to keep out plaque and debris and decreases the risk of dental decay.
Sealants protect the chewing surfaces and serve as a barrier against tooth decay. Flossing once a day and brushing with fluoridated toothpaste are very important to prevent cavities from forming between the teeth. Good oral hygiene at home, regular dental checkups, and professional teeth cleaning help fight tooth decay.
How are sealants applied?
It takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. It takes only one visit and is quick and comfortable. The teeth that will be sealed are cleaned. Then, the chewing surfaces are conditioned to help the sealant adhere to the tooth. The sealant is then “painted” onto the tooth, and a special curing light is used to help the sealant harden.
How long do sealants last?
Research shows that sealants can last for many years. So, your child will be protected throughout the cavity-prone years. With good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits, sealants will last longer. Dr. Radin will check the sealants during routine dental visits and can recommend reapplication or repair when necessary.
What causes tooth decay?
Teeth are covered with plaque, a sticky film of bacteria. The bacteria convert sugar and starch into harmful acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks may cause the enamel to break down, resulting in cavities.
Day-long snacking on sugary/starchy foods or day-long sipping of sugary drinks increases your child’s risk for cavities. If a sugary drink or snack is eaten, the best time is at mealtime to avoid the teeth being bathed in sugar all day. We encourage drinking only water and healthy snacks in between meals, like cheese or nuts.
