Pediatric Dentist, Nacogdoches, TX, Dr. Jennifer Criss

At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that every child deserves a healthy mouth and a happy smile! And our goal is help them achieve that smile by providing all levels of high-quality pediatric dental care. We will work with you to help you best understand your child's dental needs and present a plan to help your child to maintain a healthy smile. Here is a list of what we can do in our office.

For children who may need some type of assistance during their treatment, here are the following forms of relaxation for them.

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing; it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.

Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

Outpatient General Anesthesia is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs that would not work well under conscious sedation. General anesthesia renders your child completely asleep. This would be the same as if he/she was having their tonsils removed, ear tubes, or hernia repaired. This is performed in a hospital or outpatient setting only. While the assumed risks are greater than that of other treatment options, if this is suggested for your child, the benefits of treatment this way have been deemed to outweigh the risks. Most pediatric medical literature places the risk of a serious reaction in the range of 1 in 25,000 to 1 in 200,000, far better than the assumed risk of even driving a car daily. The inherent risks if this is not chosen are multiple appointments, potential for physical restraint to complete treatment and possible emotional and/or physical injury to your child in order to complete their dental treatment. The risks of NO treatment include tooth pain, infection, swelling, the spread of new decay, damage to their developing adult teeth and possible life threatening hospitalization from a dental infection.

Not all pediatric dentist are alike! It is important to seek a pediatric dentist that is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

A board certified pediatric dentist, or Diplomat, is a pediatric dentist that demonstrates an exceptional knowledge and expertise at a standard not possessed by other dentist.

The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry verifies credentials and a voluntary examination must be successfully completed. A dental practitioner with this level of certification exhibits a drive and determination for excellence in the field of pediatric dental health.

Dr. Jennifer Criss has attained certifications with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, which repersents the highest possible credentials within the field of Pediatric Dentistry. According to the American Board of Pediatric Dentist, such credentials have been attained by less that 38% of all pediatric specialist within the United States. When your child is in the care of a board certified pediatric dentist, they are being treated by the best of the best!

We utilize digital imaging and digital radiography (x-rays) to minimize our patient’s exposure to radiation by 90% in comparison to the conventional x-ray equipment. Digital radiographs provide quality images that make it possible to reduce the number of x-rays that we need for each child. Parents and children can view the enlarged radiographs on the flat screen monitors so that the communication with the dentist is more efficient.

We have computerized chair side patient record keeping. Our office is equipped with television above each station for the kids to enjoy a movie. We also offer a state of the art sterilization to ensure your child’s safety.

Care of the Mouth After Local Anesthetic

If the procedure was in the lower jaw the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
If the procedure was in the upper jaw the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.
Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue.
Monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.

Care of the Mouth After Trauma

Please keep the traumatized area as-clean-as possible. A soft wash cloth often works well during healing to aid the process.
Watch for darkening of traumatized teeth. This could be an indication of a dying nerve (pulp).
If the swelling should re-occur, our office needs to see the patient as-soon-as possible. Ice should be administered during the first 24 hours to keep the swelling to a minimum.
Watch for infection (gum boils) in the area of trauma. If infection is noticed - call the office so the patient can be seen as-soon-as possible.
Maintain a soft diet for two to three days, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid sweets or foods that are extremely hot or cold.
If antibiotics or pain medicines are prescribed, be sure to follow the prescription as directed.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.

Care of the Mouth After Extractions

Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep. The child should be watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off.
Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.
Do not spit excessively.
Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.
Do not drink through a straw.
Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be expected. If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes. This can also be accomplished with a tea bag. Repeat if necessary.

Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.
Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.

Pain - For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child. If a medicine was prescribed, then follow the directions on the bottle.

Please do not hesitate to call the office if there are any questions.

Care of Sealants

By forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures, sealants keep out plaque and food, thus decreasing the risk of decay. Since, the covering is only over the biting surface of the tooth, areas on the side and between teeth cannot be coated with the sealant. Good oral hygiene and nutrition are still very important in preventing decay next to these sealants or in areas unable to be covered.

Your child should refrain from eating ice or hard candy, which tend to fracture the sealant. Regular dental appointments are recommended in order for your child's dentist to be certain the sealants remain in place.

The American Dental Association recognizes that sealants can play an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. When properly applied and maintained, they can successfully protect the chewing surfaces of your child's teeth. A total prevention program includes regular visits to the dentist, the use of fluoride, daily brushing and flossing, and limiting the number of times sugar-rich foods are eaten. If these measures are followed and sealants are used on the child's teeth, the risk of decay can be reduced or may even be eliminated!

Oral Discomfort After a Cleaning

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort. This is not due to a "rough cleaning" but, to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene. We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:

A warm salt water rinse 2-3 times per day. (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)
For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil or Motrin as directed by the age of the child.

Please do not hesitate to contact the office if the discomfort persists for more than 7 days or if there are any questions.