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The Basics of Choosing the Right Pediatric Dentist for Your Kids
Many children, both in their early years and later in life, suffer from dental cavities and complications due to dental problems. According to studies, dental cavities affect roughly 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 and a similar number of children between the ages of 6 and 19 who have permanent teeth.
For your child’s dental health, it’s important to choose the right dentist. As a parent, you are aware of the significance of maintaining your child’s oral health. Since children are more likely than adults to experience cavities and other dental problems, it is important to develop a relationship with a reliable and trustworthy pediatric dentist to take care of your child’s dental needs.
But how do you choose the best pediatric dentist for your child? We review the basics of what you should look for when choosing a pediatric dentist for your child.
Pediatric Dentists Vs. Family Dentists
Understanding what a pediatric dentist is and how one differs from the standard family dentist will help you find the best pediatric dentist for your child.
Pediatric dentists and general dentists both address conditions related to dental health, but there are several ways in which they differ. The obvious difference is that a pediatric dentist specializes in treating the dental health of children. General dentists often treat and concentrate solely on adult teeth and adult dental health conditions. While a pediatric dentist, also known as a kids dentist, specializes in addressing children’s teeth, baby teeth, tooth care/habits, and overall dental conditions of children. They are trained and experienced, with the proper tools and knowledge to specifically address children’s dental health. You should choose a pediatric dentist for your child and not a family dentist.
What are some things you can do before choosing a pediatric dentist for your child?
Ask Friends or Talk to Other Parents
One excellent way to find out about fantastic pediatric dentists is by asking friends or speaking with other parents for a recommendation. Every parent wants to give their kid the best, thus a lot of parents may already have a reliable pediatric dentist in mind.
You can ask other parents that you trust where they take their child for dental care and pay attention to what they have to say about the service and the dentist. This can assist you in reducing your options, avoiding those with negative reviews from reliable sources, and having a list of solid recommendations that you may further investigate.
Check Qualifications
When choosing a kids dentist for your child, it is crucial to take their areas of specialization into account. Compared to general or family dentists, pediatric dentists are dental experts who have completed additional years of school and have additional training and experience treating children. Pediatric dentists complete a two-year residency program following dental school.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, pediatric dentists are trained in advanced diagnostic and surgical techniques, child psychology and clinical management, oral pathology, child-related pharmacology, radiology, child development, management of oral/facial trauma, care for patients with special needs, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. Therefore, your options should only include certified pediatric dentists and not regular dentists. Make sure the pediatric dentists you’re looking at have relevant qualifications and credentials.
Check Reviews
Many companies, including dental offices, let customers post honest reviews on their websites, social pages, and reputable websites like Google. This gives you important knowledge about how the dentist and their staff have handled other patients and what other patients liked and disliked about their visit. If the reviews are largely positive, then it can be a great indicator that it is an excellent dentist for your child.
Last but not least, reading reviews will enable you to observe how the dentist addresses and responds to negative reviews. This will allow you to perceive an office’s genuine approach to all patients, not just those with positive feedback.
Visit the Office and Schedule a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation can assist you in figuring out whether your children feel at ease with that particular dentist and observing how the staff interacts with you and your child. Bring your child with you to meet the most favorable dentists on your list. During the initial consultation, pay attention to how the dentist spends time getting to know you and your child.
Take note of how the dentist and staff interact with your children and how they make your child comfortable. A good pediatric dentist will find ways to make treatment enjoyable for your child. They’ll have an uplifting attitude, crack jokes, give amusing names to the tools and equipment, and have your child observe how things are done to gain interest and trust. They may even give rewards or prizes to your child for visiting the office.
Check Insurance Coverage
Comparing dental costs, and insurance coverage, can also help you select the ideal pediatric dentist for your child. Choosing an excellent pediatric dentist is important, but so is finding a dental office that can accommodate your financial needs.
Ask your insurance company if the dentists on your list are in their network and if they are covered for the kinds of treatment your child needs. Before seeing a dentist, you should confirm that they accept your insurance. If you don’t have insurance or if the dentist is not in your insurance network, speak with the dental office about possible payment options that will meet your needs.
Other Considerations
The office’s location is another important factor to consider. The accessibility of the office is important, especially for emergency dental concerns. You can also assess the dental office’s atmosphere, cleanliness, hygiene, and the attitudes of other patients while you’re there for your initial consultation. You should also think about the office’s service offerings, including if they provide your child with comprehensive dental treatment or just the bare minimum. Ensure that you are well informed about the types of treatment and services they provide and whether or not they emphasize prevention over addressing problems as they arise.
Bay Area Kids Dentist
If you’re in the Bay Area and are trying to find the children’s dentist, check out Bay Area Kids Dentist. We have four locations, all of which are run by board-certified professionals:
- Santa Clara Office
- Sunnyvale Office
- Morgan Hill Office
- Fremont Office
Through hospitality, education, and dental expertise, Bay Area Kids Dentist is known for giving every patient an outstanding dental experience. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable and cared for throughout their treatment. For more information, contact us today!
Sugar and Kids Teeth
One of the best ways to keep your kid’s teeth healthy is to limit their teeth’s exposure to sugar. However, this doesn’t mean that kids can’t eat sweet food or drink sweet beverages; you just need to make sure that they do this in moderation and that they clean their mouths thoroughly afterwards.
Sugar and Teeth: What Does Sugar Do to Teeth?
Sugar is considered to be one of the leading causes of tooth decay. However, it’s not exactly the sugar itself that causes teeth to decay.
There are different types of bacteria living in our mouths. When we eat or drink anything with sugar, a type of bacteria in our mouths will feed on that sugar, which leads to plaque buildup. If we let that plaque stick to our teeth for a long time, it becomes acidic. When this happens too many times, cavities start to appear.
Where Does Sugar Hide?
Sugar itself does not actually hide on the surfaces of your child’s teeth. The bacteria in their mouth will turn the sugars into plaque, which can damage their teeth. To prevent this from happening, make sure that your child practices good oral hygiene at all times. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly will prevent plaque buildup and protect your kid’s teeth from cavities and early tooth decay.
How Can You Change Your Child’s Habits for Better Oral Health?
We’ve all been children before, so we all know how difficult it is to resist eating candy and other sweet treats. However, due to its negative effects on oral health, it’s important that your child cleans their mouth thoroughly after consuming sugar. By doing this, they can limit the accumulation of plague, allowing them to have better oral health.
To maintain good oral hygiene, your child should have a clear dental care routine. Ensure that they…
Brush Their Teeth at Least Twice a Day
Make sure that your kids are brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Fluoride toothpaste can greatly help in the fight against cavities and tooth decay.
Make sure you teach them also how to brush their teeth properly and thoroughly. You can teach them this yourself or show them a thorough YouTube video if you’re not sure how to explain it.
Don’t Forget to Floss
While brushing is important, it is not always enough. The bristles of a toothbrush can’t always reach the surfaces between your child’s teeth. To ensure that they remove all of the bacteria and plaque that accumulate on those hidden surfaces, ensure that your child flosses their teeth daily.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water doesn’t just keep your child hydrated, it also helps maintain excellent oral health. Water can dilute or rinse away cavity-producing bacteria before it forms plaque. Drinking plenty of water also helps your child’s body produce more saliva, which is their mouth’s natural defense against plaque acids.
Visit A Dentist Regularly
Excellent oral hygiene doesn’t stop at home. You need to ensure your kids have regular appointments with a professional dentist, which we recommend scheduling every six months. With regular check-ins, a dentist can thoroughly check for any early signs of tooth decay and other oral problems. This helps prevent suffering from serious dental issues and offers plenty of learning moments for your kids to understand oral hygiene.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene and Regular Checkups
Dental hygiene is important as it helps prevent your child from developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral problems – include those associated with sugar consumption. Proper oral hygiene allows your kids to have strong and healthy teeth and avoid bacterial infections in their mouths.
Aside from practicing good oral hygiene at home, your kid should also have regular dental checkups. Since early signs of tooth decay can only be caught by dental professionals, it’s important that they are seen regularly to treat cavities and other dental issues as early as possible. That way, your child won’t suffer from serious oral health problems.
If you’re looking for a trusted pediatric dentistry clinic around the Sunnyvale area, then you should schedule a consultation with Bay Area Orthodontics. We have a team of board-certified professionals who will be happy to provide your kids with full pediatric dental services.
Reach out through our contact form under the locations menu or call us at 408-736-3500 to get a complimentary orthodontic consultation
I Forgot My Toothbrush and Other Travel Tips
It happens. You unpack your luggage after arriving at the hotel and realize that you missed one important item: your toothbrush. Quickly now, how do you solve this problem? Going to bed with unbrushed teeth is NOT an option — especially if you have kids with you. Dental care is a habit you want to instill, which means never skipping a day.
So, how do you solve this forgotten toothbrush problem? Here are some quick fixes to explore:
Ask the Hotel
Hotels occasionally provide toothbrushes as a courtesy, but they might only give one or two to the adults. They may miss out on the kids, so you’ll have to ask them for a few extra brushes for the night. This should tide them over until you buy child-specific toothbrushes for their little teeth.
Use a Paper Towel
A paper towel will be abrasive enough to remove dirt without causing damage to the enamel. Just wrap it around your finger and put some toothpaste on top before carefully brushing your mouth. You won’t get full coverage compared to an actual toothbrush but it should get you through the night. Don’t forget to brush your tongue and the side cheeks for a thorough clean. Rinse well afterward.
Use a Cloth
A clean cloth is also effective in cleaning your teeth. Use the same technique advised with the paper towel, making sure to brush all around including the tongue. Start with just a small amount of toothpaste and then quickly add to it, depending on the degree of cleanliness you want for your mouth. Assist the kids during this process since they might have a hard time reaching in their mouths.
Use Your Finger
If all else fails, use your finger to do the cleaning. Just make sure you wash it thoroughly first before using it like a toothbrush. A damp finger is best because it helps create that abrasive texture you’d want to remove anything off the surface.
Making Your Own Toothpaste
If toothpaste is the problem, there’s a solution for that, too! You can create a cleaning mixture by combining salt with water. The slightly abrasive texture of water can help brush the surface of the teeth for a wonderful clean.
Travel Tips for Teeth
It’s not enough that you brought your toothbrush with you – you need to use it! Additionally, proper travel care should be given if you want the toothbrush to clean your teeth instead of just spreading bacteria in your mouth.
Here’s what you need to remember:
- Before leaving, remind everyone to bring their toothbrush. It helps if you pack your essentials together so everyone can quickly see what’s missing in their bag. The kids will love feeling like adults during this process.
- Make sure the toothbrush is kept in a compartment specifically for travel. These compartments should be ventilated so the brush can air dry and deter mold growth.
- For moms and dads packing for the rest of the family, it might be better to buy toothbrushes specifically for travel. These are light and compact brushes that can easily fit inside the bag. Most people clean their teeth before a flight and don’t think about putting the toothbrush they just used inside their travel bag. With a complete set of brushes, you can pack them the night before and everyone can still use their regular toothbrush in the morning.
- If you’re traveling somewhere with questionable water quality, it’s best to use drinking water to rinse.
- While on vacation, there’s a strong chance that the kids will have their fill of sugary food! Make sure they get tons of water during the day to help balance the effect of sugar on teeth.
Final Words
Making sure the whole family brushes their teeth every day is just one aspect of good oral hygiene. The fact is that without routine checkups with the dentist, you can’t really know for sure if your daily habits are contributing to good oral health. We recommend visiting the dentist at least once a year to quickly catch any forming cavities.
Select a kid’s dentist for your growing family. A pediatric dentist will give you the best chance to set your child’s path toward excellent oral health by fostering good relationships. Board-certified professionals at Bay Area Kids Dentists can give your kids the care they need during their formative years!
When a Pediatric Dentist’s Daughter Has a Tooth Injury…
Kids have accidents. My kids are no different, of course. It was a Sunday morning and my daughter’s second birthday. She and her four-year-old brother were in the bathtub having a bath.
As she got up to step over her brother, she slipped and fell onto the edge of the bathtub. Of course, it happened so fast—instant chaos: crying, bleeding, wet kids. My wife brought her out right away and we had a look. Yep, my daughter’s front tooth had been hit so hard when she fell that it was pushed inside toward the back of her mouth. It was basically at a 90-angle to the teeth next to it. Great news: the tooth wasn’t fractured, her lip was fine, and her head had not been injured.
No parent wants to be in this situation: A weekend, at 10:00 am, their two-year old daughter is crying hysterically, and a significant amount of blood is coming from her mouth. So, what did we do?
Well, first we needed to put the tooth back to where it was supposed to be. Which we did together while my daughter was sitting in my wife’s lap. She cried so hard, but they both handled it like champions.
The we waited. We put her on a soft food diet for a few days while we waited for the tooth to heal. X-rays weeks later revealed that the tooth was not able to heal itself from the inside and as a result, the nerve tissue died – and the area around the tooth had an infection. We attempted a dental procedure with the help of sedation to clean the inside of the tooth and we gave her antibiotics and waited a few more months for results, but the infection was too stubborn.
At this point we had two options:
- Re-attempt to clean the inside of the tooth and hope the infection clears up.
- Remove the baby tooth and allow the adult tooth to come into a clean area.
Here are the pros and cons for the option of saving the baby tooth that we considered while trying to decide what to do:
Pro
- Our daughter would have a tooth she can use for the next four to five before her adult tooth comes in. This is primarily an aesthetic option with very little functional benefit. There would be no effect on her speech development or ability to eat.
Con
- Our daughter (by this time close to three years old) would need to have a second procedure with low probability of success.
- The infection would remain in that area of the mouth because the source is the dying tooth.
Keeping an infection in that area of the face is where things could possibly get more serious. Having a chronic infection could negatively affect the adult tooth as it developed inside the jaw. But that’s not the most serious concern…most people don’t realize how close that area of the face is to the brain. Having an infection in that area has a (albeit very minimal) chance of moving up into the brain with devastating consequences.
When I went through this analysis in my mind, the decision wasn’t difficult to make. After another round of antibiotics and x-rays to confirm that the infection was still there, we decided to remove the tooth.
If faced with the same situation and decision, I’m not sure how much I would have changed my approach. Putting a two-year-old through two dental procedures isn’t ideal, so I might have been a bit more aggressive as soon as we saw the infection and removed the tooth the first time.
Our daughter grew up healthy and adjusted. Although in most pictures she looks like a hockey player who didn’t wear a mouth guard. Her adult tooth came in looking perfect with no developmental abnormalities. As I write this, she’s a beautiful 16-year-old girl with an amazing smile.
So, what do you do if this happens to you?
Mouth trauma is always difficult, but at the very least:
- Put pressure on the area that is bleeding to make it stop. Your child will not like this, but it’s crucial you do whatever it takes to make this happen.
- Get your child some pain meds.
- Call a professional. At Bay Area Kids Dentists, we have pediatric emergency dental care. Our on call pediatric dentist will assess your situation and recommend the best plan for your child.
Protect Your Enamel, Protect Your Teeth
This message from Bay Area Kids Dentist is about tooth enamel.
Tooth enamel is uniquely suited to protect your teeth. If you keep your tooth enamel healthy, you will avoid many oral ailments. You won’t get cavities. Your teeth will be less likely to chip or crack. You will avoid many causes of tooth stains.
It’s best to form enamel-healthy habits when you’re young.
Teach your child to protect their tooth enamel. There are a multitude of collateral health benefits as well.
For Healthy Tooth Enamel, Avoid The Following
- Eating Sticky Food. Gummy candy, protein bars, and dried fruit can break teeth.
- Chewing On Hard Foods. For example, beef jerky and pitted fruits.
- Grinding Teeth. If you grind your teeth, talk to us. Grinding can cause headaches, tooth damage, and gum recession. An appliance can guard your enamel.
- Drinking Anything Besides Water Frequently. If your teeth are awash in carbonated beverages (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks constantly, your enamel will suffer from the acids and sugar.
- Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard. Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the boil-and-bite type.
At Bay Area Kids Dentist we offer complete pediatric dentistry. Parents from Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill bring their youngsters to our practice for preventive dental care. Call for an appointment today!
How Vaping Can Hurt Your Dental Health
The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly called vaping or e-cigarettes, is increasing among young people. At Bay Area Kids Dentist, we remind young patients and their parents that it’s a harmful practice that impacts their dental health and overall well-being.
What is vaping?
- Vaping is an alternative to cigarette smoking
- Instead of smoking a cigarette, users inhale vapor through an electronic device that contains nicotine
- The full, long-term effects of vaping are still widely unknown
How is it harmful to your body?
Let’s discuss the various ways vaping risks your physical health.
- Vaping is addictive
- Vaping can lead to poor lung health
- Vaping puts you at risk of cancer
- Vaping can elevate your risk of cardiovascular issues
- Vaping can increase your blood pressure and heart rate
- Vaping impacts your dental hygiene
How can vaping affect your dental health?
- It can lead to death of gum tissues
- It can result in gum recession
- It often leads to tooth sensitivity
- It can result in increased risk of tooth decay, and in some cases, tooth loss
Health authorities have state in no uncertain terms that vaping is not a safe alternative to conventional cigarettes or other tobacco products. It could be, and should be considered, just as dangerous as cigarettes.
If your teenage son or daughter uses e-cigarettes, encourage them to quit. Parents throughout Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill bring their kids to Bay Area Kids Dentist for regular dental exams. We offer pediatric dentistry with an emphasis on preventive care. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!
Should Santa Clara Teens Whiten Their Teeth?
Getting a smile just like their favorite singer or movie star might be high on your teen’s priority list. However, you may want to talk with your dentist before buying an at-home tooth whitening product.
As with any cosmetic dentistry procedure, teeth whitening should be overseen by a professional. There are a number of factors that can influence the results such as an existing crown or teeth that have not yet erupted. Some medical conditions can cause teeth to darken. Your dentist can determine if tooth stains are a symptom of an underlying condition.
It’s always a good idea to stress prevention over treatments, especially with kids. Make sure your adolescent is observing sensible oral health habits. Make sure they understand that coffee, tea, cola, and energy drinks can stain their teeth.
And if they need another reason not to smoke, remind them that tobacco products will destroy their beautiful smile along with their lungs. Lastly, warn them of the dangers of oral piercings which include tooth damage and infection.
If you or any member of your family decides to use an over-the-counter teeth whitener, be sure to follow the instructions exactly as the bleaching agents used can damage your mouth and gums.
At Bay Area Kids Dentist our passion is helping each patient achieve and maintain a healthy, attractive smile, regardless of their age. We offer many Pediatric Dental Services
And more! So, if you are in the Santa Clara area and looking for adolescent dental care, please give us a call!
Work With Your Pediatric Dentist To Monitor Wisdom Teeth
Even if your son or daughter practices proper dental hygiene and has no known problems, it’s important to schedule regular exams at Bay Area Kids Dentist. One reason for this is so we can keep an eye on wisdom teeth.
Wisdom teeth usually come in during the late teens or early twenties. If one but is blocked by the adjacent tooth, it becomes impacted.
This can cause a variety of issues:
- It may become inflamed
- It may become painful
- It may trap particles of food that lead to tooth decay or gum disease
It’s difficult to clean partially-erupted wisdom teeth. Since they have a high risk of tooth decay, we pay special attention to them.
At Bay Area Kids Dentist, wisdom teeth are one of our specialties. Parents throughout Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill trust our pediatric dentistry. Call for an appointment today!
Help For Kids With Bite Problems
When the upper and lower jaw are not the same size, it often creates bite problems. At Bay Area Kids Dentist, we can help.
The common issues include:
Overbites and Underbites
When the lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw, it is called an overbite. When the reverse is true, it is called an underbite.
Crossbites
Another related abnormality is called a crossbite. Crossbites occur when lower teeth are in the wrong position. They may be incorrectly positioned sideways, forward or backward.
Malocclusion (literally ‘bad bite’) is the term used for all kinds of bite problems including overbites, underbites and crossbites.
Jaw Alignment Problems
Jaw alignment issues can cause a range of issues for children. They can get in the way of proper chewing and swallowing. Teeth can shift around in the mouth, causing pain and affecting speech.
Gum disease and tooth decay are more difficult to prevent because oral hygiene is a challenge. TMJ disorder over time. Distorted facial shape and unattractive teeth are often the most noticeable and troubling concerns for little ones affected.
At Bay Area Kids Dentist, we offer complete orthodontic care that improves bites. Parents all over Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill trust their children to our early dental care. Call for an appointment today!
Protect Young Smiles For Active Kids
Do you have a son or daughter who plays youth sports? Soccer, baseball, football, and basketball can be very perilous for your child’s teeth. Here’s a reminder about protective mouth guards from Bay Area Kids Dentist.
Football is a rugged contact sport, yet there is a relatively low rate of tooth injuries that occur in football as compared to other contact sports. Why? Football players are obligated to wear a mouthguard and a helmet.
If your child participates in a contact sport, we recommend that you purchase an appropriately-sized mouth guard and make sure they wear it. They are available at most athletic supply stores.
Even those sports considered non-contact, like basketball, carry the risk of a mouth injury. A mouthguard should be considered basic gear for anyone playing sports, from kids to grownups.
At Bay Area Kids Dentist, we emphasize preventive dentistry to identify problems before they get serious. Parents from all over Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill bring their kids to us for early dental care. Call for an appointment today!