Kids and the Family Dentist: Frequently Asked Questions

General dentistry can be a difficult thing to manage for adults. Getting your kids off to a good start with their dental health is often even more difficult – but it is also even more important. Build habits that help their teeth for a lifetime.

Here are some of Main St Dental’s more frequently asked questions when it comes to children and dental health. If you have any questions or to get your kids in to see a family dentist, please reach out to set up an appointment today!

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How Can I Help With Teething Pains?

Seeing your child’s first tooth come in is a wonderful thing. But the experience of teeth coming in for the first time isn’t often a pleasant one for your little one – not to mention yourself.

As parents and caregivers, we want to help soothe our babies as best we can through this time. Here are some ideas on teething and concrete ideas on how to soothe them through the process.

Each Child’s Teething Timeline Is Different

Although this is different for every child, you can expect your baby to begin teething between 6 and 12 months old. Some teeth may appear as early as 3 months or as late as 14 months. Whenever they begin to sprout their first teeth, it’s important to remember good oral care begins long before their pearly whites make an appearance.

Caring for your infant’s smile before their first teeth show is important because bacteria in the mouth can leave behind plaque that damage their incoming teeth.

You can prevent plaque from adhering to your child’s gums by gently wiping them with a soft, moist washcloth or piece of gauze. We recommend doing this at least twice a day, especially after feeding your baby and before putting them to bed.

Keep An Eye Out For Teething Symptoms

Teething brings about a variety of signs and symptoms, but here are some of the most common that infants experience:

• Fussiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling more than usual
• Bumps in the gums

If your child begins to develop a persistent fever, diarrhea, or a rash in addition to these symptoms, contact their pediatrician.

Watch the video below to learn a bit more about teething symptoms and how long they should last.

Ways to Soothe Your Child’s Discomfort

Cutting new teeth may not be the most pleasant experience for your little one, but there are ways to help soothe their discomfort.

Massaging their gums, for instance, counters the pressure from their incoming teeth and in turn eases teething pain. You can try using a clean finger, a small cold spoon, or a moist gauze pad or washcloth to see which your child prefers.

Teething rings and toys are another useful tool in the teething process. Chewing on these provides the same pain relief as massaging by countering that pressure in the gums. Refrigerating (not freezing!) these toys before they chew will provide an additional cooling sensation to help soothe your child’s soreness.

Do not use numbing agents. They may seem like a good idea to ease the discomfort of incoming teeth, but the FDA has issued a warning about the potential harmful effects of numbing agents containing benzocaine and lidocaine.

We’re Here Every Step Of The Way

The first few months of a child’s life is full of excitement and lots of changes! We understand that along with those changes come a lot of questions about how to best care for your growing baby. If you would like more information about how to care for your child while they’re teething, or if you have any other questions about their developing oral health, get in touch!

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How Should I Care for my Kids’ Baby Teeth?

There are a lot of myths about baby teeth out there, so we’re going to set the record straight: here’s a list of the top four baby teeth myths, BUSTED.

Myth #1: Baby Teeth Aren’t Important Since They Just Fall Out

Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they are extremely important to a child’s developing oral health. Not only do they hold the space for permanent teeth to grow in straight (preventing crowding and crooked teeth), they also help the face structure develop properly and ensure that young children can eat properly to receive plenty of nutrition.

Myth #2: Cavities In Baby Teeth Don’t Matter

You might have heard that babies can’t get cavities at all, or that if they do have them, it’s not a big deal. Both rumors are untrue. Not only are cavities painful, but they can also cause swelling and even infection. In addition, children who have cavities in their baby teeth are three times more likely to develop cavities in their adult teeth. If you think your child may be developing a cavity (marked by discoloration or a small crack) call us right away!

TIP: Don’t let your child fall asleep with a bottle! Juice and milk are full of bacteria-feeding sugars which cause cavities.

Myth #3: You Don’t Need To Brush or Floss Baby Teeth

You should begin “brushing” your children’s teeth even before their first tooth grows in! Just use a soft, wet cloth or bit of gauze to rub their gums to help reduce bacteria and prevent future cavities. Once teeth come in, help get your children in the habit of brushing twice daily with a smear of toothpaste and flossing regularly.

Myth #4: Young Children Don’t Need To See A Dentist

There is a common misconception that children shouldn’t visit the dentist before the age of three, or before they have their full set of 20 primary teeth. The ADA states that children should visit the dentist by the time they get their first tooth, or at least by the age of one. Early check-ups can identify cavities and help prevent and assess other problems such as overcrowding.

Need Any More Myths Debunked? We Can Help!

If you have any questions regarding general dentistry and your child’s oral health, get in touch! We love any opportunity to help our wonderful patients!

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How Can I Get My Kids to Floss More?

We’ve said it time and time again: flossing is essential for a healthy mouth! But it’s not always the most enjoyable task of the day, especially for kids. If you’re looking for an easier way to help your kids floss–and have fun while they’re at it – here’s an awesome product that will help make that a reality.

GumChucks® Make Flossing Easy And Fun

GumChucks are a flossing system designed to not only make flossing easier for your kids but also help them floss correctly. And when your floss looks like miniature nunchucks, there’s no doubt some fun will ensue!

Here’s why we love GumChucks:

• Functional design promotes correct “C” shape flossing technique as recommended by the American Dental Association
• The two-handled system makes flossing easy for kids with limited dexterity
• Long handles make for a more sanitary flossing experience–no need for hands in the mouth
• No more pain from floss-wrapped fingers
• Creative designs, colors and characters makes flossing more fun for kids

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, so when a product comes along that gets kids excited about their oral health, we get excited too!

View GumChucks on Amazon

Get Flossing, Kids!

As a general and family dental practice, we want your child to have a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles. The earlier children start looking forward to daily flossing, the better their future oral hygiene habits will be.

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When Should A Child First Visit A Dentist?

Seeing a baby’s first smile is a wonderful moment in a new parent’s life – that little grin leaves a lasting impression! Visiting the dentist early ensures that your child’s smile remains happy and healthy. At Main Street Dental, general and family dentists Dr. Seth and the team are committed to keeping them smiling!

First Tooth Pop In? Time To Schedule Their Appointment!

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental appointment once their first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday. Although this may seem early for a first visit, there are many reasons for acquainting your child with a dentist so early.

The first, and most obvious, is that we are able to monitor the health of their new teeth as they come in. As soon as your little one’s first tooth erupts, he or she can begin to develop cavities.

Aside from checking for tooth decay, we check to ensure that their overall oral development is on track and answer any questions you may have about your child’s growing smile.

What To Expect During Your Child’s First Visit

The first dental visit is often very brief and gives your child an opportunity to meet their dentist in a friendly, non-threatening way. This helps get them acquainted and can help calm your child before their dental exam.

Once your child is ready for their exam, the dentist will:

• Check their existing teeth for decay
• Examine their bite and look for any problems with the gums, jaw, and oral tissues
• Clean any teeth present, if needed and discussed beforehand

These appointments are also an excellent opportunity for us to share information with you about proper oral care as your child’s smile develops. If you have any questions about your child’s oral hygiene routine, this is a perfect time to ask!

After their visit is complete, your dentist will suggest a schedule of follow-up visits based on the unique needs of your child.

We’ll Make Sure Your Child Leaves With A Smile!

Whether it’s your child’s first visit or their 50th, we’re committed to giving them an experience that helps pave the way for a lifetime of good oral health. If you have any questions about your child’s first visit in our office, feel free to give us a call! We’d love to talk with you about any specific needs they may have for their first appointment.

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What Should I Do When My Child Gets a Tooth Knocked Out?

When your child’s tooth is falls out, immediately check to see if your kiddo has any other visible damage to the head or neck area. If there is bleeding or serious injury has occurred, call 911 immediately.

If your child is conscious and responsive, with only dental trauma observed, follow the steps below and contact Main Street Dental Gresham for advice on how to proceed from there.

When a Tooth Is Knocked Out

• After comforting your child, find and reinsert the tooth if you can.
• To control the bleeding, place a piece of sterile gauze over the socket and ask your child to bite down on it or hold it in place. According to The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, you should avoid touching the root of the tooth when handling it.
• Rinse it in milk if the tooth is dirty, but plug the sink first to prevent it from disappearing down the drain. Don’t scrub the tooth or remove any pieces of tissue.
• Gently replace the tooth in its socket, or if that isn’t possible, put it in a clean container of milk, saltwater or saliva. Don’t wrap the tooth in a napkin or allow it to dry because this reduces the chance that it will reattach.
• Take your child to see a dentist as soon as possible, and bring the tooth with you. If you can’t find the tooth, it might be stuck in your child’s mouth. Your dentist can take an X-ray to look for it and check for other injuries.

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How Can I Sooth A Child with Mouth Pain?

TEETHING CAN BE an uncomfortable process for both your little one and those who care for them.

As family dentists, we know our patients want to help soothe their babies as best they can through this time, so today we’re going to share our thoughts on teething and how you can help them through this process.

Each Child’s Teething Timeline Is Different

Although this is different for every child, you can expect your baby to begin teething between six and 12 months old—some teeth may appear as early as 3 months or even as late as 14 months, however. Whenever they begin to sprout their first teeth, it’s important to remember good oral care begins long before their pearly whites make an appearance.

Caring for your infant’s smile before their first teeth erupt is important because bacteria in the mouth can leave behind plaque that damage their incoming teeth. You can prevent plaque from adhering to your child’s gums by gently wiping them with a soft, moist washcloth or piece of gauze. We recommend doing this at least twice a day, especially after feeding your baby and before putting them to bed.

Keep An Eye Out For Teething Symptoms

Teething brings about a variety of signs and symptoms, but here are some of the most common that infants experience:

• Fussiness
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Drooling more than usual
• Bumps in the gums

If your child begins to develop a persistent fever, diarrhea, or a rash in addition to these symptoms, however, contact their pediatrician.

Watch the video below to learn a bit more about teething symptoms and how long they should last.

Soothe Your Child’s Discomfort With These Tips

Cutting new teeth may not be the most pleasant experience for your little one, but there are plenty of ways to help soothe their discomfort.

Massaging their Gums

Counters the pressure from their incoming teeth and in turn eases teething pain. You can try using a clean finger, a small cold spoon, or a moist gauze pad or washcloth to see which your child most prefers.

Teething Rings and Toys 

A useful tool in the teething process. Chewing on these provides the same pain relief as massaging by countering that pressure in the gums. Refrigerating (not freezing!) these toys before they chew will provide an additional cooling sensation to help soothe your child’s soreness.

Be Sure to Avoid Numbing Agents

They may seem like a good idea to ease the discomfort of incoming teeth, but the FDA has issued a warning about the potential harmful effects of numbing agents containing benzocaine and lidocaine. Teething is a normal part of development that can be treated without the aid of prescription or over-the-counter medications. If you have any questions about how this applies to your child’s unique situation, give us a call or contact your pediatrician.

We’re Here Every Step Of The Way

The first few months of a child’s life is full of excitement and lots of changes! We understand that along with those changes come a lot of questions about how to best care for your growing baby. If you would like more information about how to care for your child while they’re teething, or if you have any other questions about their developing oral health, give us a call or make an appointment today!