How Early Should I Start Bringing My Child To The Dentist?

Children as early as 6 months old should be seen regularly by our team

How Often Do I Need To Bring My Child To The Dentist?

Children and adults should be seen twice a year or every 6 months

When Do Baby Teeth Come In And When Do They Fall Out?

• Baby teeth begin to form very early on and you will see the first tooth erupt at around 6 months old. All 20 primary teeth should be erupted by 3 years of age.
• Permanent molars begin to erupt at around 6 years old and this is also when the first baby tooth will be lost.
• Most permanent teeth will erupt by age 13 and wisdom teeth can erupt anywhere from 14-24 years of age.

Are X-Rays Necessary For Children?

Yes, x-rays are essential for proper diagnosis and early detection of cavities. Please review our technology information about minimal radiation x-rays

My Child Is Grinding At Night! What Should I Do?

Many children grind during the night and parents may hear a noise or notice teeth are wearing away. Most cases do not require any treatment and most children out grow this habit. However, in some cases where patients continue to grind into adolescence we may recommend a night guard. Night guards help protect permanent teeth from severe wear that can cause joint problems and eating problems.

A dental filling is the simplest and most effective way to fix a small cavity. It must be noted that fillings are only effective on small cavities; large cavities require other therapies. It is best to take care of a cavity early on in order to prevent the need for more expensive and time-consuming procedures like root canals and crowns in the future. Here at Custer Family Dental & Ortho + Kids we use the newest technology to recognize cavities at an early stage, so you don’t get caught with larger cavities that require more difficult treatments.

How Are Cavities Caused?

Cavities are caused by small bacteria that thrive and grow by eating sugars that get stuck on and between our teeth. Good oral hygiene helps prevent cavities. Oral hygiene instructions can be found (below)

How Are Fillings Done?

Fillings are completed with or without local anesthetic depending on the size and location of a cavity. The doctor uses specialized instruments to remove all cavities, decay, or caries. When only healthy tooth structure remains, the doctor will reform the tooth with specialized instruments and materials. There are a wide variety of materials to choose from but only the highest quality materials are used in our office.

Oral Hygiene

Great oral hygiene and a good diet are the corner stones of a healthy mouth. To prevent cavities and bad breath both children and adults should be brushing twice a day. For gum and tooth health, the American Dental Association also recommends flossing once a day. Adding other methods or oral hygiene like water picks, mouth wash, and tongue scrapers can protect patients from cavities as well but should never be considered a replacement for brushing 2X per day and flossing 1X per day.

Diet is also an important factor in preventing cavities. Remember children should never be allowed to go to bed with anything other than water. If children go to bed with milk or juice, they are at significantly higher risk for cavities. We recommend brushing teeth prior to going to bed and if anything is ingested then you should repeat brushing your teeth. Children should also limit the amount of candy and sweets they eat. Keeping a balanced diet from all the major food groups is very important to maintaining great oral health.

Professional Cleanings

Great oral hygiene is not enough to maintain great oral health. It is recommended by the American Dental Association that all patients are seen regularly for dental cleanings and check-ups to help maintain a healthy mouth. Our doctors are highly trained to recognize oral cavity problems including gum disease.

Gum disease is preventable but not reversible. Any damage done by gum disease cannot repair itself, and must be repaired by a dentist. Children are typically subject to gingivitis or mild gum disease. This can quickly turn into severe gum disease or periodontitis as the child enters adulthood.

Sealants

Sealants are one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities. This simple, inexpensive procedure can save you time and money. A thin, white composite material is placed on susceptible grooves of teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier between the cavity prone areas on teeth and cavity causing bacteria in the mouth. Sealants can be placed on all patients of all ages from 3 years of age to adults. Sealant are recommended to be placed early on especially on permanent molars at the age of 6 and 12 years old. Sealants have an unexpected lifespan and may have to be replaced from time to time.

Fluoride

Fluoride is another important treatment option in protecting against cavities. Fluoride will help strengthen teeth of patients of all ages including adults. It is recommended that all children receive extra fluoride treatments during their 6-month check-up appointment. When a doctor notices signs of severe cavities or weak tooth enamel, they will typically prescribe a special prescription strength fluoride toothpaste. This toothpaste should be used as directed and will help protect against cavities.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a special substitute sugar that can be found in many fruits, chewing gums, and breath mints. Studies show that patients who chew gum with xylitol have a lower cavity rate than patients who chew gum with normal sugars or no gum at all.

Emergencies

Our team at Custer Family Dental & Ortho + Kids will work hard to bring you in same day for your dental emergency. We save time every day for unexpected emergencies. It may not always be possible to completely resolve a dental emergency in one visit, so follow up appointments may be necessary.

We have time set aside for all emergencies ranging from

• Severe tooth pain
• Swelling and gum problems
• Knocked out teeth
• Broken fillings
• Chipped and broken teeth
• Mild irritation or sensitivity

Post-Op

Oral Discomfort After A Cleaning

It is possible to have mild to moderate pain or sensitivity after a dental cleaning especially after deep cleanings. Even during mild dental cleanings, patients may experience mild pain, sensitivity, and bleeding. This is due to inflamed unhealthy gums. It is recommended to use Motrin or Tylenol to relieve pain only if necessary.

Local Anesthetic Discomfort

Local anesthetic is used to numb and put your teeth, gums, and lips to sleep. Your cheek and lips may feel larger and swollen however they still look completely normal. You may not be able to recognize it but you may injure yourself by biting or chewing on your cheek or lip while still being numb. Try to by aware of these behaviors as you may be numb for 2-3 hours.

Sealant Care

After placement of sealants it is recommended to continue brushing and flossing regularly. Restrictions on diet include avoiding hard, sticky candies or food for the next 2 days.

Fillings

After filling placement, it is recommended to continue brushing and flossing regularly. Diet restrictions include avoiding hard and sticky foods for the next two days. It is never okay to chew ice and regular everyday activity can be resumed directly following the procedure; however, remember the effect of local anesthesia may last 2-3 hours.

Extractions

After a tooth extraction, patients should limit physical activity for a minimum of one day. Some patients do better than others and your recovery time greatly depends on the procedure and you following post-operative instructions. Following the procedure, be sure to maintain pressure with gauze on the extraction site for a minimum of 1 hour. Please avoid using straws, spiting forcefully, or smoking. Take all medications as directed and begin taking pain killers prior to regaining sensation in your mouth. Mild swelling is normal and alternating between hot and cold ice packs can help during the first day post-op. We recommend continuing oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing 12 hours after the procedure.