Pediatric Dentistry of Novi Michigan Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take my child to a pediatric dentist instead of my family dentist?
Will I be able to stay with my child during the visit?
At what age should I bring my child in for a first visit?
What are your suggestions for sippy cups or bottles?
What can I do about my child's teething pain?
Should I be concerned about my child's thumb/pacifier/finger sucking?
Should my child be using flouride toothpaste?
How much flouride water should my child drink?
Will my child need dental x-rays?
What is a Mouth Guard and should my child be wearing one?
Do you have any suggestions for how I should discuss the dental visit with my child?
What should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
What should I do if a permanent tooth is knocked out?
Tell me about Xylotil that is getting so much advertising.
What if my child's teeth are not treated?
Do you ever sedate children?

Why should I take my child to a pediatric dentist instead of my family dentist?
Our doctors are specialists at caring for children's dental needs. They have received extensive training in pediatric dentistry and have years of experience treating children. Our child friendly environment helps build rapport and trust.

Will I be able to stay with my child during the visit?
Parents are welcome in the treatment room for all visits including fillings and those requiring sedation, but we ask that you be our "silent partners" so that we may get to know your child. Everything will be explained utilizing the "Tell-Show-Do" technique.

At what age should I bring my child in for a first visit?
Dental organizations recommend first visits around age 1 to allow the dentist to examine the child, provide dietary and preventative information, and assess flouride use. We generally see children at age 12 - 18 months, unless the child has injured his/her mouth in a fall, or the parents see a brown spot or bright white spot or a hole in the tooth. Waiting until age 3 can be too late to prevent cavities since 37% of 3-year-olds already have cavities.

Do you recommend sippy cups or bottles?
Never allow a baby to take a bottle (unless it's water) to bed at night or naptime. Pediatricians recommend children start using a cup at ages 12-13 months. With cup swallowing the tongue is in a more adult position, and will allow for proper speech development.

Sippy cups and bottles force the tongue tip below the nozzle, and reinforce the infantile swallowing patterns. If a child uses a sippy cup or bottle for sanitary reasons, than we recommend water only, unless it is needed during meals. Liberal access to sweetened drinks contributes to cavities.

What can I do about my child's teething pain?
Teething pain occurs when baby teeth erupt into gum tissue that is not clean. The bacteria normally found in the mouth, and any food or milk left on the gums, will enter the gum space around the new tooth, making it tender.

To prevent teething pain, wipe the teeth and gums with a wet cotton ball or thin washcloth after every feeding. Tylenol can be given for relief. Do not put alcohol on the gums. Diarrhea, sleeplessness, or a low grade fever can happen at the same time, but may also be caused by an ear infection or cold. If symptoms persist, see your physician.

Should I be concerned about my child's thumb/pacifier/finger sucking?
Sucking is perfectly normal for infants and young children. Prolonged habits may create tooth or jaw growth problems. Some children have a need to suck longer than others. It is important to work with each child as an individual. The well being of your child emotionally and psychologically (their heart and head) is more important than their teeth.

Pacifier should always be clean when used. Do not dip in honey or sugar before giving to the baby. Pacifier habits are easier to manage because the pacifier can be controlled by the parent. Around age 2, children are learning to form words and will attempt to speak with the pacifier in their mouths. We recommend limiting the pacifier to bedtime or naps, or if the child is very upset. Most children stop between ages 3-4. We suggest trying to break the habit by leaving the pacifier "on the bed" during the day. We counsel using positive reinforcement. Praise the child for "big kid" behavior.

Finger or thumb habits usually last longer, and stop with peer pressure around age 5-6. Children who use their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who suck vigorously. It is best to stop the habit before the permanent teeth erupt to minimize problems. We encourage talking with your child to encourage them to stop the habit. The child is in control of when they want to stop.

Try asking each month if they are ready. Work in little steps like putting stars on a calendar for every afternoon they didn't use the finger or thumb, and then extend the time during the day. Eventually at bedtime, have the child delay putting the finger or thumb in their mouth until they first count to the number 10. The next night extend the time. Reminders are helpful, such as band-aids, nail polish, and wearing tube socks over their hands, etc.

Children often use a stuffed toy or rub the edge of a blanket while they are sucking. To stop the habit the toy or blanket must be put away as well ( or exchanged for something else not associated with the habit). It usually takes months to break the habit.

Should my child be using flouride toothpaste?
To prevent cavities, your child's teeth should be brushed twice a day using a flouride toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Approval. Flouride toothpaste should not be swallowed.

For babies and toddlers, use a small amount (a dab or pea size or the size of your baby's "pinky" thumbnail) of toothpaste.

How much flouride water should my child drink?
Flouride strengthens the tooth enamel. Reverse osmosis filters, distilled water, and most bottled waters do not have flouride. Well water may have some flouride and should be tested.

To receive adequate levels of flouride we recommend the following water intake:
        Infants to age 3:     1 cup per day
     3 - 6 years of age:     2 cups per day
    6 - 16 years of age:    4 cups per day

Will my child need dental x-rays?
X-rays are taken depending on the dental needs of each child as an individual, based upon their age, condition of their teeth, stage of dental development, and according to the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. X-rays are used to detect cavities, evaluate after a trauma or dental injury, to survey the developing teeth, to diagnose bone disease, and to plan orthodontic treatment, etc.

The protection of your child is done by using a protective lead apron, high speed films, and low dose of radiation. The risk of dental x-rays is extremely small, about 5 mrems for bitewings (out of 350 mrems allowed a year). The benefit is great as the x-ray can find cavities and problems not otherwise visible.

What is a Mouth Guard and should my child be wearing one?
Mouth Guards are made of soft plastic. They fit the upper jaw and protect the teeth and jaw. Children should wear one when they play sports that have a risk of head or mouth injury such as soccer, football, hockey, baseball, roller blades, skate boarding, volleyball, basketball, and even gymnastics. Store bought boil-in-water types are very effective, especially with children who are still growing teeth. Custom mouth guards are also available from our office.

Do you have any suggestions for how I should discuss the dental visit with my child?
Dentistry is a health service similar to going to the pediatrician. While we try to make your child as comfortable as possible, the dental visit is not the same as going to a birthday party. Some children have difficulty getting their hair cut or letting their parents brush their teeth. Some children cry as a reaction to a new place or activity. We will work with each child as an individual to help them cope with the dental experience.

Discuss dentistry in a positive way, avoiding negative words like "shot", "drill", or saying "It won't hurt". Rather say, "the dentist is going to count your teeth" or "the dentist is going to help your sore tooth feel better". Treat the visit as a routine, everyday occurence. We want the visit to be enjoyable and informative!

What should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
Call immediately for emergency care. We make every effort to see your child the day you call.

Loosened baby and permanent teeth following an injury may need to be re-positioned and splinted (mini braces) for a period of time. Call immediately to be seen. If the office is closed, we are available through our answering service.

What should I do if a permanent tooth is knocked out?
Find the tooth, rinse it gently with cool water, DO NOT scrub or rub it, or clean it with soap. Replace the tooth into the socket. If you can't fit the tooth into the socket, transport it to the office in a container of milk, saliva (mouth spit), or cool water. Contact the office immediately, as the chances of saving the tooth are better the faster you act.

If a baby tooth is knocked out, DO NOT put it back in the socket, as it can damage the permanent tooth.

If a serious, urgent and immediate need for dental care occurs after hours, you may contact the answering service at 248.524.0775. They will notify the doctor on call. Please do not call with questions that can be answered during normal business hours.

Tell me about Xylitol that is getting so much advertising
Xylitol is a sugar substitute that prevents cavities. Products include Trident for Kids gum and Orbit Sugar Free Gum. Some toothpaste's contain it, such as "Tom's of Maine".

What if my child's teeth are not treated as recommended?
If your child's teeth are not treated, there may be an increased risk for decay, nerve damage, tooth breakdown, infection, swelling, pain, loss of teeth, decreased ability to eat/drink, altered bite, orthodontic problems, increased cost of treatment or other problems.

Do you ever sedate children? We do offer conscious sedation. Please visit our forms page for a printable handout about sedation. We do not put children to sleep in our office.