Is it Reasonable To Put a Crown on a Baby Tooth?

If your child has cavities, you may be wondering what can be done to save their teeth. We have years of pediatric dentistry experience, and are trained to work with children. Cavities are common in children, and some children are prone to them more than others. If a child has a small cavity, we may just watch it, or recommend a dental filling. In cases where the child has severe decay, a pediatric crown may be recommended in order to save the tooth.

What Are Pediatric Crowns?

Pediatric crowns are caps that are placed over a tooth to protect the tooth from further decay. Crowns are made to match the size and shape of a child’s natural teeth. They are durable, and can save a tooth that has suffered severe decay. Crowns are used only when necessary, or when the tooth cannot support a dental filling. Other reasons crowns are used include restoring teeth that are severely broken or worn out, or if your child has a high risk of developing cavities.

Why Would You Put a Crown on a Primary Tooth?

Primary teeth are very important in the development of a child’s adult teeth. They help with speech and overall growth and development. Primary teeth are needed for many years of a child’s life, and it is important to protect a child’s teeth to maintain their oral health. Primary teeth are placeholders for adult teeth, and if a child does not have their primary teeth, this can cause adult teeth to come in crooked or misaligned. Instead of extracting the primary tooth, a crown can leave the tooth intact, but protect the tooth from further damage.

How Does the Crown Procedure Work?

Crowns can typically be placed in one dental visit making this ideal for children. The tooth will be cleaned and prepared for the crown. Local anesthesia is used along with Nitrous Oxide or laughing gas, to keep your child calm and relaxed during their procedure. Once the tooth is ready the crown is gently affixed on top of the tooth. Recovery is minimal, and we recommend your child wait a few hours to eat until the anesthesia wears off. Your child’s bite may feel off after the crown procedure, but they will adjust and get used to their new crown after a few days.

Dental crowns should last until the primary teeth are lost. We do recommend practicing good oral hygiene habits at home with brushing and flossing each day, to keep your crown and teeth looking and feeling healthy. Regular visits to our office are important, they give our doctors the opportunity to check to make sure there is no additional decay, and the crown looks healthy.

Ready To Schedule Your Appointment?

At our office we care about your child’s oral health, and strive to provide the very best dental care to our patients. Our doctors and staff are trained to work with children, and we always ensure your child will have a positive experience when they visit our office. We provide quality dental care that patients can trust, and we look forward to you joining our dental family.

If you think your child may need a crown, or you would like to schedule their regular dental exam, contact us today, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Are Pediatric Dentists Trained to Help Autistic Patients?

Choosing a pediatric dentist for your child is important, and parents want to know their child is in good hands, and receiving the very best care. For those patients that have special needs, it is important for parents to find a dentist they are comfortable with. At Dentist X, we provide exceptional dental care for our pediatric patients. We welcome autistic patients and patients that have special needs.

Pediatric dentists attend two to three years of training after dental school to help them understand all of the unique needs to treat pediatric patients. This training includes children with autism. Any medical appointment can be a challenge to both the parent and child, and finding the right dentist is essential.
Oral hygiene is important, and bringing your child to the dentist helps to ensure their teeth look great and are free of decay. At Dentist X, we ensure your child has a positive experience, and feels comfortable and relaxed when they visit our office. We make many adjustments during the visit to make the appointment run smoothly.

Benefits of Taking Your Child to a Pediatric Dentist

  • Pediatric dentists are trained to work with children, and to treat children with autism or special needs. Our staff has also been trained how to handle children with special needs. We work together with the parent and patient to ensure there is a positive experience in our office.
  • Pre-visits are available to have the parents and child meet our doctor and staff, discuss any sensory issues or concerns, and see the exam room. This allows the parent to prepare their child for the visit to our office, and gives our staff the opportunity to brief the parent with details on their child’s appointment.
  • Our practice is kid friendly, and the way the staff handles each procedure helps to make children feel comfortable during their visit. If your child is sensitive to light or sounds we have the ability to turn the lights down, and make adjustments in the room to help make the appointment run smoothly.
  • If needed we offer nitrous oxide or “laughing gas”, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia to help our special needs patients get through a dental procedure. These options are safe, and allow our doctors to treat patients easily if they require a complicated procedure. We take these options very seriously, and only use these methods when absolutely necessary. All medical conditions are considered, and a medical exam is required before any sedation is done.
  • Communication is key when you take your child to their dentist appointment. Our staff is trained to communicate before, during, and after any treatment. This helps to ensure the parent and pediatric patient are comfortable, and are aware of what is needed every step of the way.
  • The dental office is decorated in kid friendly colors, and we provide games and entertainment for the kids.
  • Our patients are provided with small toys after their visit, and this gives them something to look forward to when they visit our office.

Looking for a Pediatric Dentist or Special Needs Dentist in X?

If you are looking to find a pediatric or special needs dentist in X, our team is here to help. We strive to provide the very best care for our special needs patients, and ensure when they visit our office they have a positive experience. We know choosing the right pediatric dentist is important, and part of our consultation process is to get to know our patients, and understand what we can do to help make their visit exceptional.

If you are looking to schedule a dental exam for your child, contact our office and we will be happy to assist you!

Do Kids Need Dental Crowns?

If your child is prone to cavities, you may wonder if there is anything dentists can do to save their teeth. Cavities are very common in children, and many children are prone to cavities while others are not. If a child has a small cavity, we may choose to just monitor the tooth, or recommend a dental filling. If the tooth has severe decay, a crown may be recommended in order to save the tooth. Dental crowns can protect a severely damaged or decayed tooth, and preserve the tooth underneath.

Why Would My Child Need a Dental Crown?

Primary teeth are very important in a child’s development. They help with growth and development, speech, and eating. It is important to try and keep a child’s primary teeth for as long as you can to protect and maintain their oral health. Primary teeth serve as placeholders for adult teeth. If a child does not have their primary teeth, this can cause orthodontic issues. The adult teeth may not erupt properly or will erupt in the wrong direction. If your child has a cavity, placing a crown on the tooth can leave the primary tooth intact, but protect the tooth from further damage.

How Does a Crown Procedure Work?

Crowns can be placed in one dental visit making this ideal for children. During the procedure, the primary tooth is cleaned and prepared. We use local anesthesia along with Nitrous oxide or laughing gas to keep your child calm and comfortable. Once the tooth is prepped and ready, the crown is gently affixed on top of the tooth. Recovery is minimal, and we recommend waiting a few hours after the procedure to eat or drink. This allows the numb feeling to wear off. Your child’s bite may feel odd, but after a few days, they will adjust to the new crown.

Dental crowns are very durable and should last until the primary tooth is lost. Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home can help keep your crown feeling and looking great. We encourage regular visits to our office to give our doctors the ability to monitor the crown and check for additional decay. Dental cleanings and exams help to keep track of a child’s oral development and can help address cavities or other concerns as your child grows.

Ready To Find Out More About Dental Crowns?

At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, your child’s health is our priority. Our doctors have years of experience in pediatric dentistry and love to work with children. We create a calm and relaxing environment and always ensure your child has a positive experience. Let our team at Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry provide quality dental care you can trust.

If you have concerns about your child’s teeth, or they are due for their exam and cleaning, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Why Does My 2 Year Old Grind His Teeth?

Grind Teeth

Teeth grinding is also known as bruxism and is very common in children. Teeth grinding involves pressing down on both the upper and lower jaw, and moving the mouth side to side grinding the teeth together. There are a few reasons why children may do this and, in many cases, children grind their teeth during sleep and they don’t even know it.

At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, our doctors are available to help parents address issues such as teeth grinding. Our team can give you advice on how to help your child stop grinding their teeth, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

What Causes Teeth Grinding in Children?

Many children have sleep-related bruxism, and their jaws contract during sleep, which causes teeth to grind. Some parents can hear their child grinding their teeth and their child has no idea they are doing it. The severity of teeth grinding differs between children, and this can cause damage to their teeth. Prolonged grinding can wear down the teeth and this may cause issues in the future.

The good news is most children who grind their teeth grow out of it by the age of six. There are cases when children continue to grind their teeth through adulthood. Teeth grinding can also be caused by stress, pain, or because the teeth are misaligned. Grinding your teeth is not dangerous and most likely will disappear as children get older. If you notice your child’s teeth are damaged as a result of teeth grinding, we encourage you to be seen in our office.

When Should I Get My Child Help?

Teeth grinding is not serious and usually does not require treatment. In rare cases, teeth grinding may be caused by another condition that may require treatment.  If your child experiences any of the following symptoms, we recommend you contact our practice right away.

  • Signs of damage or trauma to the teeth or gums.
  • Complains of headaches.
  • Your child is in pain when they wake up.
  • Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold.

Interested in Finding Out More About Teeth Grinding in Children?

If you are interested in finding out more, or your child is due for their exam and cleaning, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry. We provide the highest level of service, and always ensure each child has a positive experience. When a child visits our office, we want them to feel comfortable and relaxed. We provide quality care you can trust, and always have your child’s best interest in mind.

To schedule an appointment with us, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our staff will be happy to help.

What Age to Stop Pacifier?

Pacifiers are used by many infants and children, and they offer comfort and reduce stress. Pacifiers are great when children are young, but many parents wonder when it is appropriate to wean their child off of the pacifier. Using a pacifier can cause issues with a child’s mouth, jaw, and teeth if it is used too long.

At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry we work with our patients and parents to help give you tips and tricks to help scale back on pacifier use, and eventually stop using it completely. We understand how important pacifier use is for infants and toddlers, but is also very important to take the pacifier away to prevent issues from developing in the future.

What Are Tips To Help My Child Stop Using a Pacifier?

Each child is different and what you do for one child may not work for another. We recommend parents do what is best for their child, and we help parents by recommending behavior modifications to help with the process. Finding the perfect time is important, and parents should look at what is going on in the child’s life while weaning them off of the pacifier. Getting creative can help, and parents need to find new ways to comfort their child. Providing your child with incentives is important, and always using positive reinforcement to let them know they are doing great will make the process easier.

What Issues Can a Pacifier Cause?

A pacifier provides soothing comfort to a child, and when a child is born the sucking reflex is natural. The perfect time for a child to stop using a pacifier is between the ages of two and four. If a child continues to use a pacifier beyond this age range their jaw or bite could be compromised.

Pacifiers can cause children to develop an over bite, or affect how their teeth erupt in the mouth. Orthodontic treatment is common for children who have used a pacifier. Weaning your child off of a pacifier should be done as early as possible because as the child grows older, breaking the habit will become more difficult.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, or you would like to find out more about the benefits of weaning a child off of the pacifier, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry. We provide the very best care, and our practice is equipped with the latest technology. Learning about good oral hygiene habits at an early age can set the stage for the future, and help your child develop good habits.

To schedule an appointment contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry and our friendly staff will be happy to help you.

Is it Worth Buying an Electric Toothbrush?

Electric Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is an important part of your daily oral care routine. Choosing the right toothbrush can help you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Today, there are many options available, and electric toothbrushes are very popular. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are made to remove plaque, bacteria, and prevent cavities. Knowing the benefits of an electric toothbrush can help you decide if they are right for you.

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Tooth Brush?

Power

An electric toothbrush is battery powered and does not require you to manually brush for at least two minutes. They do the work for you, and can really reach areas that a manual brush cannot. Some models even include a timer so you know exactly how long to brush. Electric toothbrushes can cover areas quicker and easier compared to a manual brush.

Effort

Less effort is required with an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes clear away bacteria faster and easier compared to a manual tooth brush.

Plaque and Bacteria

Electric toothbrushes can remove bacteria and plaque easier and faster compared to a manual toothbrush. This makes brushing easier, and studies have found that those that use an electric toothbrush have less plaque and bacteria buildup over time. The bristles of an electric toothbrush gently remove plaque and bacteria without wearing down your gums or enamel.

Easy To Use

Electric toothbrushes are really easy to use, and can help people who have a hard time brushing or moving their hands. When brushing you simply move the brush from tooth to tooth, and this makes the process quick and efficient without having to manually brush each tooth.

Help Children Keep Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Electric toothbrushes also help children keep their teeth clean and free of plaque. There are electric brushes that are smaller and designed specifically for children. They make sounds, and come with a timer to make brushing fun and easy.

Is an Electric Toothbrush Right for Me?

Electric toothbrushes are a great tool that help to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth. They are a great alternative to manual toothbrushes, and can make your oral care routine easier. Electric toothbrushes do cost a bit more, but many people say they are worth the investment. Whatever brush you choose, it is always important to brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and mouth looking and feeling great.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you are interested in finding out if an electric toothbrush is right for you, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff is happy to discuss the benefits of an electric toothbrush, and review which brands we recommend. Your oral health is important, and using the right tools at home can help you keep your teeth and mouth healthy.

To schedule your appointment with us contact contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!