STAFF
FAQ
DENTAL CARE
FORMS
CONTACT
POLICIES
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?
Do you recommend sippy cups or bottles?
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?
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?
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?
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?
To receive adequate levels of flouride we recommend the following water intake:
Will my child need dental x-rays?
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 should I do if my child has a dental emergency?
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?
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
What if my child's teeth are not treated as recommended?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Call immediately for emergency care. We make every effort to see your child the day you call.
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.
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".
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.