Our Blog

Why Are Early Dental Visits So Important?

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that all children visit a pediatric dentist by the age of 1. Despite that recommendation, many parents postpone the first dental visit, sometimes until several years later. They may think there is no need to schedule an appointment with a dentist if the child does not seem to be in pain, or they may think that baby teeth are less important than permanent teeth because they are going to fall out.

Baby Teeth Are Important

You should start taking your child to a pediatric dentist at a young age for several reasons. For one, baby teeth are in fact important. A child needs primary teeth to chew food, which is essential for good nutrition and normal growth and development. Baby teeth help a child learn to speak clearly. They also hold spaces for the permanent teeth that will erupt later.

Babies Can Get Cavities

Another reason why you should take your child to a dentist starting at the age of 1 is that even very young children can get cavities. Baby bottle tooth decay is extremely common. It occurs when a child is put to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, or juice. The teeth are exposed to sugars in those liquids over a long period of time. The sugar bathes the teeth and forms acid that can cause cavities. Millions of toddlers and preschoolers all over the United States get cavities every year. Cavities can cause pain that can interfere with eating and other activities.

Your Child Can Feel Comfortable at the Dentist

It is also important to establish a dental home for your child. This is a place where you can take your child for routine exams and cleanings and emergencies. Starting at a young age can help your child feel comfortable with the dentist and other staff at the office and can alleviate fear. Your child will be able to get used to having someone look at his or her teeth and perform cleanings and other procedures so they will not be a source of fear.

What Will the Pediatric Dentist Do at Early Visits?

A pediatric dentist can check your baby’s teeth for signs of decay so it can be treated before it gets worse. He or she can see how many teeth have erupted and whether your baby’s teeth are developing at a normal rate. A pediatric dentist can discuss nutrition and oral hygiene with you so you can ensure that your baby starts out with a healthy set of primary teeth. The dentist can demonstrate how to brush and floss your child’s teeth and discuss ways to make it fun so your child will look forward to it instead of resisting. The pediatric dentist can answer any questions you may have about development, hygiene, nutrition, and how to protect your child’s teeth from injuries.

Schedule an Appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry

It is important to start taking your child to a pediatric dentist for regular exams starting at the age of 1, even if you do not suspect a problem. Starting routine dental care at an early age can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. If your baby has not seen a dentist yet, schedule an appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry today.

How to Tell If Your Baby Has a Toothache

If your baby is crying incessantly but is too young to tell you what is wrong, you may be puzzled. You may assume the problem is caused by teething. That is possible, but it might also be that your baby has a toothache.

Can Babies Get Cavities?

Even young children can get cavities. Baby bottle tooth decay is a common problem. This is caused by putting a baby to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, or juice. The sugar in these liquids bathes the teeth for several hours. The prolonged exposure to sugar leads to acid that forms cavities.

Signs That Your Baby Has a Cavity

Even though your baby cannot tell you if he or she has a toothache, you may be able to figure it out on your own. There are other signs that you may see that could indicate that your baby has a cavity. You may see chalky white spots near your baby’s gum line. They are most often seen near the front teeth. This is an indication of early tooth decay. If you see brown spots near the gum line, that means your baby’s tooth decay is at a more advanced stage. Your baby’s jaw may be sensitive when you touch it. He or she may be sensitive to hot or cold liquids, or his or her face may be swollen.

If you notice any of these signs of a toothache, take your baby to a pediatric dentist right away. A toothache can cause severe pain that can interfere with eating, sleeping, and other activities. If it is not treated promptly, it will only get worse.

How to Prevent Cavities

You can prevent baby bottle tooth decay. Instead of putting your bay to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice, give him or her a bottle filled with plain water. Do not let your baby spend a lot of time sipping from a bottle filled with a sugary liquid. If your baby likes to carry around a bottle, fill it with water and give milk, formula, or juice with meals.

Schedule an Appointment for Your Baby at CT Pediatric Dentistry

You should begin taking your baby to a pediatric dentist for exams at the age of 1. The dentist will count your baby’s teeth and check for any early signs of decay. He or she will also discuss nutrition and oral hygiene and answer any questions you may have. If your baby is due for a dental exam, schedule an appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry today.

Is It Normal for a Baby’s Gums to Bleed While Teething?

Parents often struggle to soothe a baby who is teething. The process can be painful and can lead to crying, drooling, and other behaviors as babies attempt to deal with the pain. Parents are often concerned about the effects that teething has on their infants.

You Don’t Need to Worry about Bleeding Gums When Your Baby Is Teething

One common cause of concern is when a baby’s gums bleed while teething. This should not be a cause for alarm. It is normal for a baby’s gums to bleed a bit while teething. A baby may also have some tenderness, swelling, bruising, and pain associated with erupting teeth.

When a baby is teething, bleeding gums are usually caused by teeth breaking through the delicate tissue in the gums. Bleeding could also be caused by bacteria that cause inflammation.

How to Tell If Teething Is Causing Bleeding Gums

You can figure out if your baby’s bleeding gums are caused by teething by looking at the gums. You may see small white spots or the tips of teeth poking through the gums. You may notice that your baby is chewing or sucking on his or her fingers or hard objects and rubbing the gums with toys or fingers. Your baby may also drool, which can cause a rash, and may have a decreased appetite and a slight rise in temperature.

How to Relieve Your Baby’s Pain

You can take steps to ease the pain of teething for your baby. Gently massage your baby’s gums with your finger or a damp piece of clean gauze. Try different amounts of pressure and watch your baby’s reaction to figure out what is most soothing. You can also give your baby a bottle of water or a rubber teething ring. Keep the teething ring in the refrigerator because babies find cold soothing, but do not put it in the freezer. If your baby eats solid food, you can offer cold foods, such as applesauce.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

Bleeding gums are a common symptom of teething. If your baby has a high fever, undergoes a sudden change in behavior or temperament, does not eat for several feedings, or has constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting, consult your pediatrician.

How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

After your baby’s teeth erupt, begin to brush them with a soft toothbrush designed for babies and water. Do not use toothpaste because a baby cannot spit it out and it should not be swallowed.

You should take your baby to a pediatric dentist by his or her first birthday. The dentist will count your baby’s teeth, check for any signs of decay, and discuss nutrition and oral hygiene. If your baby is due for a dental exam, schedule an appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry today.

Does a Child Need to See a Pediatric Dentist While Wearing Braces?

Many children and teens wear braces to correct crooked teeth and problems with their bite. When kids are wearing braces, they have frequent appointments with an orthodontist who checks the alignment of their teeth and makes adjustments. Since children visit the orthodontist so often for care while wearing braces, parents sometimes think it is not necessary to also see a pediatric dentist. That is not true. It is very important to continue to take your child to a pediatric dentist while he or she is wearing braces.

Oral Hygiene Is More Important Than Ever When a Child Is Wearing Braces

Braces make it more likely that plaque and tartar will accumulate on your child’s teeth. Braces have small crevices where food particles can hide, which can make it difficult to thoroughly clean the teeth. Regular professional teeth cleanings are more important than ever while your child is wearing braces. That is the only way to make sure all of the plaque and tartar are removed from your child’s teeth.

Even if your child is wearing clear aligners to straighten his or her teeth, it is still necessary to visit the dentist for cleanings. Bacteria can grow in the moist environment inside clear orthodontic aligners.

Brushing and flossing are also extremely important while your child is wearing braces, even if he or she gets regular professional cleanings. Make sure your child knows how to brush and floss with braces and does it every day.

A Pediatric Dentist Can Diagnose and Treat Common Problems

Regular visits to a pediatric dentist while wearing braces can allow the dentist to diagnose any problems early. The dentist can provide routine care, such as cleanings and fillings, as well as more advanced care, such as treatment for gum disease and root canals.

How Often Should a Child See a Pediatric Dentist While Wearing Braces?

Talk to your child’s dentist about how often he or she should go for cleanings while wearing braces. The frequency will depend on your child’s risk for cavities and gum disease. The dentist may recommend that your child get cleanings two to four times per year.

Schedule an Appointment for Your Child at CT Pediatric Dentistry

Routine dental care is important while your child is wearing braces. You should continue to take your child to a pediatric dentist while he or she is seeing an orthodontist. Both are necessary to maintain good oral health for your child.

If your child is due for a dental exam and cleaning, schedule an appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry. We can provide routine care when your child is wearing braces and can also perform an orthodontic evaluation to find out if your child will need braces in the future. If your child is due for a cleaning or an orthodontic evaluation, schedule an appointment today.

How to Find the Right Treatment for Your Child’s Sensitive Teeth

If your child doesn’t want to brush his or her teeth, it could be because of a stubborn phase, or your child could have sensitive teeth. In order to find the proper treatment, you need to first figure out if your child has pain when brushing and what is causing it or if something else is causing a problem.

Possible Causes of Sensitivity

Sensitive teeth tend to be more of a problem in adults, but children can also develop sensitivity. If your child does not have good brushing and flossing habits, he or she could have one or more cavities that cause pain when brushing.

It is also possible that your child broke or chipped a tooth when he or she fell riding a bike or was hit with a ball while playing with friends. Biting down on hard candy is another common cause of a chipped tooth. If you suspect a dental problem, take your child to a pediatric dentist for an exam.

Treatments for Sensitivity

If you take your child to the dentist and find out that he or she has cavities, the dentist will probably recommend fillings. He or she may also suggest an in-office fluoride treatment, such as a gel or varnish, to prevent cavities in the future. Fluoride can strengthen your child’s tooth enamel and prevent further decay. If your child has a broken or chipped tooth, the dentist may recommend bonding or a crown.

Some children benefit from using a toothpaste designed for sensitivity. Not all toothpastes are recommended for use by children. If your child is under the age of 12, consult your pediatric dentist before you choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Children with Autism May Be Sensitive to the Taste of Toothpaste

Some children with autism do not like to have their teeth brushed. They may also be sensitive to the smell or taste of the brand of toothpaste that is being used. If your child has autism and does not like tooth brushing, you might want to try switching to a toothpaste with a milder flavor or an unflavored variety.

How to Prevent Sensitivity

Make sure your child brushes twice a day and flosses once a day. Often sensitivity is caused by cavities or by food stuck in between teeth. Regular brushing and flossing can help eliminate the cause of sensitivity and prevent tooth decay.

If you are concerned that your child has sensitive teeth, schedule an appointment at CT Pediatric Dentistry. We will examine your child’s teeth to look for signs of decay and injury and will recommend the appropriate treatment to relieve your child’s pain. Schedule an appointment for your child today.