Pediatric Dentistry
Our dentists and entire staff understand the importance of good oral health for young children. They have specialized training in primary teeth. They are here to help protect and restore children’s teeth so that they can speak and eat easily and have a wonderful smile. They understand the growth and development of children’s teeth so they can start children off with good oral health.
We also understand how important taking care of children’s teeth is. We will work with parents to ensure their children are taking good care of their teeth at home. We will also monitor their mouths for any problems so we can catch them early. If needed, we will work with your children’s regular doctor to treat any problems we find.
- Care for Your Child’s Teeth
- Dental Emergencies
- Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)
- First Visit
- Fluoride
- Good Diet
- Xylitol – Reducing Cavities
- Mouth Guards
- Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking
- Perinatal and Infant Oral Health
- Sealing Out Tooth Decay
- Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
- Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Eruption of Your Child’s Teeth
Care for Your Child’s Teeth
A child’s first dentist appointment should be scheduled within six months of the first tooth’s arrival. Since even the youngest children can get decay, it is really important to visit the dentist regularly. During these early visits, we are looking for any problems and trying to help you get in the habit of practicing good dental care. It is important that you stay positive so that your children enjoy coming in to visit us.
To avoid cavities, you should avoid giving your children sweetened liquids like soda. Even though some drinks do not have as much sugar as soda, even fruit juice, milk, and formula contain some sugar, which can cause decay. It is also important that you don’t put your children to bed with a bottle. The prolonged contact of all that sugar on their teeth is just asking for cavities. This problem is so common it has a name: baby-bottle caries.
It is always important to set a good example for your children. They are great at following your lead, so you should brush and floss regularly while they are watching. They need to learn from you how important good dental care is. If your children are interested, give them a toothbrush and teach them to brush their own teeth. You will still need to help, but at least they are showing an interest. Most children are able to brush their teeth properly by the time they are six or seven years old.
It is important that you make brushing fun for your children. You can try different flavored toothpastes and different brushes with special characters on them. Maybe you can sing a special song while brushing their teeth. However you do it, the important thing is that you teach your children about good dental health.
If you have any questions about caring for your children’s teeth, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (810) 694-0200.
Dental Emergencies
We are here for you at Grand Blanc Dental Center, especially during emergencies.
It is very important to be prepared in case your child has an emergency. Even though we wish that they wouldn’t, emergencies do happen. Being educated and knowing what to do in an emergency can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. You also need to know your dentist’s phone number.
You need to contact us right away if you are having an emergency! If we are not open, go to the nearest emergency center.
If your child loses a permanent tooth, it is important to keep it wet until you get to the dentist. If possible, place it back into the socket. If that is too painful, have your child keep it between his or her cheek and gums or place it in milk to try to save it. Please do not put the tooth in your child’s mouth if you are concerned that he or she might swallow it.
In the case of a cracked tooth or bitten tongue or lip, always have your child rinse out his or her mouth with warm water. A warm compress will help reduce swelling. If your child has something stuck in his or her teeth, gently use floss to get it out. You shouldn’t try to remove it with something sharp. To avoid Reye’s syndrome, children should not be given aspirin for pain.
Children should always wear a mouthguard during sports and other physical activities to protect their teeth. They should avoid chewing hard food like hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels. These foods can break teeth. Both children and adults should use scissors instead of their teeth to cut or tear things.
If you have a dental emergency, contact us immediately at (810) 694-0200.
Exams & X-rays
Here at Grand Blanc Dental Center, we are proud to offer dental examinations and x-rays to our patients.
We truly believe that regular dental examinations are important in order for your child to have good dental health and a smile of which he or she can be proud. We start by doing a professional cleaning, removing all of the bad tartar and other buildup on your child’s teeth.
We then do an examination, looking to catch and fix any problems before they become bigger ones. We examine each tooth, looking for any signs of decay, damage, or any other problems, such as signs of infection. We want to correct any problems your child may have before they get any worse.
X-rays help us look inside your child’s teeth for problems invisible to the naked eye. We can often diagnose cavities much more quickly with an X-ray. They are also helpful for finding any gum or teeth problems that we need to address.
During your child’s visit, we will also talk about good home care. We believe what you do at home really affects your child’s teeth. For this reason, we will acknowledge any areas on which you need to concentrate so your child can have a healthy smile.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (810) 694-0200.
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First Visit
Here at Grand Blanc Dental Center, we are proud to take care of your child’s dental health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that children have their first dental appointment when they are close to their first birthday.
Many people put off a child’s first dental appointment because it can be quite stressful for both the child and the parents. However, in order to start a child off right on the road to good dental health, it is important that parents overcome their own phobias and make sure that the first visit goes well. They need to remain positive in order to ensure their child has a good visit every time he or she goes to the dentist.
Pediatric dentists also want your child’s visits to go well. They receive extensive training in child psychology. They make sure their offices are inviting. They choose colorful paints for the walls. They have a selection of games, toys, and books for when children are waiting to be seen. They hire staff members who are good with children so that each visit goes well.
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Fluoride
Here at Grand Blanc Dental Center, we are dedicated to the prevention of tooth decay.
We believe that fluoride works well to strengthen children’s teeth. It also has been shown to help prevent tooth decay in people of all ages.
For this reason, the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association believe that topical fluoride is necessary for good oral health.
Because of this, you may be wondering if your child needs fluoride treatments. Often water is enhanced with fluoride, so additional fluoride treatments are not necessary. However, if your water is not enhanced with fluoride, your child may need fluoride treatments. Your child may also need a fluoride treatment if he or she has symptoms like receding gums. You may also want to have your child treated if he or she wears braces or is taking medications that cause dry mouth.
Fluoride treatments can be completed at your child’s routine dental appointment. They are painless and quick, taking only a few minutes. When performing the treatment, your child’s dentist will apply gel, foam, or varnish on your child’s teeth. Treatment works best if it is done one to four times a year.
You may wonder what else you need to do in addition to getting your child regular fluoride treatments. The American Dental Association recommends drinking fluoridated water and using a toothpaste with fluoride.
If you have any questions about fluoride and your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (810) 694-0200.
Good Diet
Here at Grand Blanc Dental Center, we are dedicated to your child’s dental health and diet.
Though many parents worry about their child’s weight, they don’t think twice about what their child’s diet is doing to his or her dental health. Your child needs to have healthy eating habits to ensure that his or her dental health is the best it can be. Just by watching what your child eats, you can decrease the amount of decay and gum disease he or she will develop.
The American Dental Association recommends avoiding foods high in sugar and other foods that can cause cavities.
You should consider changing your child’s diet in accordance with the ADA’s recommendations, though you should always consult a doctor before starting a new diet. If your child has special dietary needs, you should to talk with us about foods that your child can eat to help with his or her oral health.
The American Dental Association has several recommendations for a healthy diet. They suggest drinking plenty of water instead of sugary drinks and avoiding sugary foods and snacks between meals. You should teach your child mindful eating–eating a balanced diet full of nutrients from each food group, including whole grains, vegetables, dairy, and protein.
Besides eating well, your child needs to brush his or her teeth at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Flossing at least once a day and visiting the dentist at least twice a year will help ensure that your child’s mouth is as healthy as possible.
If you have any questions about your child’s dental health and diet, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (810) 694-0200.
Xylitol
Here at Grand Blanc Dental Center, we are dedicated to the health of your children’s mouths. We are proud to offer xylitol, which helps reduce cavities.
Unfortunately, tooth decay is common even though it is highly preventable. If decay is left untreated, it is painful and can really affect the teeth. Decay can make eating and speaking more difficult and change the look of your mouth.
Some children are more likely to suffer from tooth decay even with routine brushing and dental appointments. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) believes in the benefits of using xylitol to help reduce tooth decay in children.
Xylitol is found in many fruits and vegetables including berries, corn, lettuce, and many others. Studies have shown that children who eat between four and twenty grams of xylitol a day, divided among their meals, are up to 70 percent less likely to have dental cavities.
However, eating more than the recommended amount does not mean that your children will get more protection. It is recommended that you give your children only the correct daily amount to fight cavities.
Some children are more likely to get cavities because of their oral care habits and diet (especially if their diet is high in sugar and carbohydrates). Some children’s teeth are more resistant to buildup than others.
The bacteria left in your children’s mouths feeds off of sugars and carbohydrates. The bacteria attacks their tooth enamel, leaving it weak and more susceptible to cavities.
Xylitol is used to neutralize the acid which helps to keep your children’s enamel strong. This helps to decrease the amount of cavities they get. Xylitol also helps to get their saliva moving to clean away more food, bacteria, and plaque.
There are times when xylitol should be used with fluoride to remineralize teeth and strengthen the enamel so it is less likely to form cavities.
Though there are many benefits of chewing xylitol gum, young children are not able to do so. However, if you have a child who is still nursing, he or she can get benefits through breast milk!
Once your children are a little older, they can get xylitol in fruits and vegetables. You may also want to use it as a sugar substitute. When your children are old enough, it can be beneficial for them to chew gum with xylitol in it.
If you have questions or concerns about xylitol or tooth decay, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (810) 694-0200.