Post Oak Pediatric Dentistry
Post Oak Pediatric Dentistry
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    • Contact Us / Appointments
    • Meet Our Dentists
    • Meet Our Team
    • Tour Our Office
    • New Patient
    • Our Services
    • Forms / FAQs
    • Learn More
  • Home
  • Contact Us / Appointments
  • Meet Our Dentists
  • Meet Our Team
  • Tour Our Office
  • New Patient
  • Our Services
  • Forms / FAQs
  • Learn More

General Dental Topics

Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

Children’s teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first primary teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies. Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. At the age of 8, you can generally expect the bottom 4 primary teeth (lower central and lateral incisors) and the top 4 primary teeth (upper central and lateral incisors) to be gone and permanent teeth to have taken their place. There is about a one to two year break from ages 8-10 and then the rest of the permanent teeth will start to come in. This process continues until approximately age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including the third molars (wisdom teeth).

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

Tooth brushing is one of the most important tasks for good oral health. Many toothpastes, and/or tooth polishes, however, can damage young smiles. They contain harsh abrasives, which can wear away young tooth enamel. When looking for a toothpaste for your child, make sure to pick one that is recommended by the American Dental Association as shown on the box and tube. These toothpastes have undergone testing to ensure they are safe to use. Use only a smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to brush the teeth of a child less than 3 years of age. For children 3 to 6 years old, use a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively on their own. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Parents are often concerned about the nocturnal grinding of teeth (bruxism). Often, the first indication is the noise created by the child grinding on their teeth during sleep. Or, the parent may notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. One theory as to the cause involves a psychological component. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, etc. can influence a child to grind their teeth. Another theory relates to pressure in the inner ear at night. If there are pressure changes (like in an airplane during take-off and landing, when people are chewing gum, etc. to equalize pressure) the child will grind by moving his jaw to relieve this pressure.The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If excessive wear of the teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard (night guard) may be indicated. The negatives to a mouth guard are the possibility of choking if the appliance becomes dislodged during sleep and it may interfere with growth of the jaws. The positive is obvious by preventing wear to the primary dentition.The good news is most children outgrow bruxism. The grinding decreases between the ages 6-9 and children tend to stop grinding between ages 9-12. If you suspect bruxism, discuss this with your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.

Thumb Sucking

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)

Sucking is a natural reflex in which infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel happy or provide a sense of security during difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep.Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric dentist.A few suggestions to help your child get through thumb sucking:

  • Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of anxiety, instead of the thumb sucking.
  • Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide comfort.
  • Reward children when they refrain from sucking during difficult periods, such as when being separated from their parents.
  • Your pediatric dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue.
  • If these approaches don’t work, remind the children of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your pediatric dentist may recommend the use of a mouth appliance.

Early Infant Oral Care

Perinatal & Infant Oral Health

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that all pregnant women receive oral healthcare and counseling during pregnancy. Research has shown evidence that periodontal disease can increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Talk to your doctor or dentist about ways you can prevent periodontal disease during pregnancy. Additionally, mothers with poor oral health may be at a greater risk of passing the bacteria which causes cavities to their young children. Mothers should follow these simple steps to decrease the risk of spreading cavity-causing bacteria:

  • Visit your dentist regularly. 
  • Brush and floss on a daily basis to reduce bacterial plaque. 
  • Proper diet, with the reduction of beverages and foods high in sugar & starch. 
  • Use a fluoridated toothpaste recommended by the ADA and rinse every night with an alocohol-free, over-the-counter mouth rinse with .05% sodium fluoride in order to reduce plaque levels. 
  • Don't share utensils, cups or food which can cause the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria to your children. 
  • Use of xylitol chewing gum can decrease a child’s caries rate. Concentration may vary, talk to us about amount of xylitol gum when you come in.

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a "Dental Home" for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care. The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents. 

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)

Your Child's First Dental Visit -Establishing A "Dental Home"

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)

One serious form of decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle containing anything other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, giving plaque bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages professional and at home preventive measures to combat this infectious disease. Talk to us about ways to prevent this disease.

When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?

When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)

Teething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into the mouth is variable among individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and some get them late. In general, the first baby teeth to appear are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and they usually begin erupting between the age of 6-8 months.

Sippy Cups

When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?

Sippy Cups

Sippy cups should be used as a training tool from the bottle to a cup and should be discontinued by the first birthday. If your child uses a sippy cup throughout the day, fill the sippy cup with water only (except at mealtimes). By filling the sippy cup with liquids that contain sugar (including milk, fruit juice, sports drinks, etc.) and allowing a child to drink from it throughout the day, it soaks the child’s teeth in cavity causing bacteria.

Prevention

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

Brushing Tips:

  • Starting at birth, clean your child's gums with a soft cloth and water or soft toothbrush.
  • As soon as your child's teeth erupt, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • For further information on the the amount of fluoridated toothpaste that should be used depending on the age of the child, talk to Dr. Sarah when you come in. 
  • Be sure and use an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste and make sure your child does not swallow it.
  • When brushing, the parent should help and brush the child's teeth. Remember young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively and parental assistance is needed with homecare.

Flossing Tips:

  • Flossing removes plaque between teeth and under the gumline where a toothbrush can't reach.
  • Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch.
  • Be sure and floss your child's teeth daily until he or she can do it alone.

Mouth Guards

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

When a child begins to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your child’s smile, and should be used during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth. Mouth guards help prevent broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. A properly fitted mouth guard will stay in place while your child is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and breathe. Ask your pediatric dentist about custom and store-bought mouth protectors.

Beware of Sports Drinks

Care Of Your Child's Teeth

Beware of Sports Drinks

Due to the high sugar content and acids in sports drinks, they have erosive potential and the ability to dissolve even fluoride-rich enamel, which can lead to cavities.To minimize dental problems, children should avoid sports drinks and hydrate with water before, during and after sports. Be sure to talk to your pediatric dentist before using sports drinks. If sports drinks are consumed:

  • Reduce the frequency and contact time
  • Swallow immediately and do not swish them around the mouth
  • Neutralize the effect of sports drinks by alternating sips of water with the drink
  • Rinse mouthguards only in water
  • Seek out dentally friendly sports drinks


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