Thumb-Sucking and pacifiers are common habits in infants. Children usually give up these habits on their own. If the child continues past the age when permanent teeth erupt, a visit to the orthodontist may be beneficial for habit breaking appliance.

A pediatric dentist takes two additional years of specialized training that focuses on children. This gives pediatric dentists the skills they need to build strong and trusting relationships with children from infants to young adults, and an understanding of their unique dental health needs.

Baby teeth are important for two main reasons. They are necessary for your child to learn how to chew and form words properly. Perhaps more importantly, they are placeholders for the eventual eruption of adult teeth. Baby teeth hold their place in the jaw until the adult tooth beneath it is ready to come in. When this happens, the root of the baby tooth dissolves and it falls out. The adult tooth then pokes through the gums and takes up a more permanent place.

Proper dental care is critical for children to learn. Bad habits learned in childhood can carry over into adulthood and cause expensive dental damage in the future. It is a good idea to take care of your baby’s mouth even before the teeth erupt. Developing good dental care habits should start at a young age.

Before baby teeth erupt, wipe down your baby’s gums with a clean damp cloth. This helps keep gums cleans and removes plaque. When a few teeth have erupted, you can start using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children when they are old enough to spit out toothpaste and only use a pea sized amount. Flossing begins when there is contact between two adjacent teeth.

Help brush your child’s teeth until they are able to brush themselves, usually around age 8 or when they can tie their own shoelaces.

Knocked out tooth:

Baby Tooth (usually age 6 and under)

Control bleeding by applying gentle pressure with gauze or clean cloth. Do not reinsert baby tooth in socket. Baby teeth are not re-implanted. Call your dentist if you have any questions.

Permanent Tooth (usually age 6 and over)

Locate the tooth and handle by the top(crown) part of the tooth. Be careful not to touch the root. Rinse gently with water. DO NOT scrub any part of the tooth. If possible, reinsert tooth into socket and have your child hold in place with gentle finger pressure or by biting on a clean cloth. If your are not able to reinsert tooth, then place in a cup with milk, or if that is not available, saliva or water for transport to dentist. Call your dentist immediately. Time is important for saving a tooth.

Toothaches

Clean the are gently with brushing or flossing the area to remove food trapped. Have your child to rinse with warm salt water. You may give ibuprofen or acetaminophen for temporary pain relief. Call your dentist.

Our office is available for emergencies. Please call the office (908)722-2226 should one arise. There is a service number to reach the dentist during after hours. If the doctor is not able to respond in a timely manner, PLEASE USE YOUR JUDGEMENT to seek immediate care. Morristown Memorial Hospital and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital have dental facilities.

• Proper dental care is critical for children to learn. Bad habits learned in childhood can carry over into adulthood and cause expensive dental damage in the future. It is a good idea to take care of your baby’s mouth even before the teeth erupt. Developing good dental care habits should start at a young age.
• Before baby teeth erupt, wipe down your baby’s gums with a clean damp cloth. This helps keep gums cleans and removes plaque. When a few teeth have erupted, you can start using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children when they are old enough to spit out toothpaste and only use a pea-sized amount. Flossing begins when there is contact between two adjacent teeth.
• Help brush your child’s teeth until they are able to brush themselves, usually around age 8 or when they can tie their own shoelaces.

Teeth are rough and uneven. Nature did not see fit to make them flat and easy to clean. In particular, the chewing surfaces of your rear molars are almost impossible to keep clear of food and bacteria. Yet, if you don’t keep these surfaces clean, the bacteria produce acids that cause tooth decay, cavities and worse.

The solution is a dental sealant. Dental sealants are a 35-year-old technology that we can use to coat your teeth in a resin-like material. This material is much harder to damage than tooth enamel. Bacteria find it impossible to erode with natural acids. Sealants are typically applied to molars and certain decay-prone areas. It can last up to several years, but we recommend regular check-ups and care to minimize the chance of damage.

Dental sealants are a good option for both adults and children, especially those children who are prone to tooth decay for one reason or another. Ask your dentist about your child’s risk of tooth decay and whether or not sealants are a good option. Sealants do not replace the need to brush and floss. They simply add an additional layer of protection to the existing teeth.

Dental x-rays are not taken on every check-up visit. The dentist regularly reviews each patient’s unique situation and requests the x-rays only when necessary based on medical and dental history, regular screenings, age considerations and risk for disease. Bitewing x-rays(x-rays of top and bottom teeth biting together), to detect caries in between teeth, is generally recommended once a year.