Starting babies on the right foot with their teeth will help ensure their oral health remains in good standing. We encourage parents to bring their child to the dentist before they turn 3 years old. Our dentists conduct oral checkups we call “Happy Visits” in order to promote good healthy oral habits for the long term. During these dental exams for babies, we take the time to answer any questions the parents may have regarding their baby’s dental health. We address concerns like when to start brushing their teeth, using toothpaste and a toothbrush, when to discontinue the use of bottles, and when to start flossing. Babies should get their first dental exam at 6 months old or after the first tooth comes in. The reason we recommend a baby receive a dental exam so early is because we want to make sure the teeth are growing in correctly and that there are no problems or potential problems. If there are problems that we notice, we can correct them or prepare the parents for how to adjust to the problem.

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth – especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide. 

Still, there’s another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. Think of them as raincoats for your teeth. When the cavity-causing bacteria that live in everyone’s mouth meet leftover food particles, they produce acids that can create holes in teeth. These holes are cavities. After sealant has been applied it keeps those bits of food out and stops bacteria and acid from settling on your teeth—just like a raincoat keeps you clean and dry during a storm.

Stainless steel crowns are tooth-shaped caps that fit over an entire tooth. They are commonly used in pediatric dentistry as a way of preserving baby teeth that have become significantly decayed or damaged. Although the primary teeth will eventually be lost to make room for permanent teeth, it is important that they are not lost prematurely. The premature loss of baby teeth can cause a variety of complications that can ultimately affect the permanent teeth. Therefore, stainless steel crowns provide protection for baby teeth until they are naturally lost. Your child may need a stainless steel crown if they have one or more teeth that are significantly decayed or damaged. As a general rule, pediatric crowns are recommended in cases where a small dental filling is not enough to restore the tooth. 

If your child suffers from extensive cavities where the cavity has reached deep into the tooth, then a dental filling will not be enough to protect the tooth. This is when a dental crown becomes necessary. In the past, the stainless steel or silver crown has been the only option. But these silver-colored crowns are highly visible, which can cause a child to be very self-conscious of their smile. Now there are tooth-colored pediatric crowns that allow a child to continue smiling without hesitation. Our dentists offer tooth-colored and stainless steel crowns because in some instances insurance plans limit a patient to the silver alternative.

Silver Diamine Fluoride is an antimicrobial liquid that is able to treat cavities in a non-invasive, fast, affordable, and painless manner.

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Some patients who have active tooth decay may be eligible for an alternative treatment that uses Silver Diamine Fluoride.  FDA cleared in August of 2014, SDF became commercially available to dental professionals in April of 2015 as Advantage Arrest by Elevate Oral Care.  Compared to a traditional filling that requires shots of local anesthetic and drilling of tooth structure, this treatment is non-invasive and more comfortable for the patient.  It is a liquid that is simply brushed on to the cavity that can stop current decay and also prevent new decay in the future.

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Cons:

SDF permanently stains cavities black. SDF does not restore tooth form or function, so large holes that trap food may still eventually require a SMART filling (see below) or traditional restorations. SDF requires repeat application for maximum efficacy. SDF can not be used in the presence of infection or decay into the nerve.

When a tooth has a carious exposure deep enough to affect the coronal pulp or “nerve” of the tooth, it can lead to pulpitis. Pulpotomy is the term for removal of the coronal pulp with the intent of maintaining the vitality of the remaining radicular pulp tissue. Pulpotomy techniques on primary teeth have been a standard in pediatric dentistry for decades. The indication was primarily the presence of a carious exposure and desire to retain the primary tooth until exfoliation.