1602 E. Starr Ave. Suite 203
Nacogdoches, TX 75961

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Pediatric Dentistry

What is the Correct Age to Take Away a Child’s Pacifier?

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Pacifier

Pacifiers offer comfort and help to reduce stress in infants. Many parents wonder when it is appropriate to wean their child off the pacifier. If a pacifier is not taken away at a certain age it can cause serious issues with a child’s teeth, mouth, and jaw. At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, we support our patients and parents and know weaning a child from the pacifier is hard. As much as the pacifier is needed in the early stages of life, it is just as important to take it away, so your child does not develop any issues in the future.

What Issues Can a Pacifier Cause?

The pacifier helps to soothe a child, and the sucking reflex is natural when they are born. The ideal time for a child to stop using a pacifier is between the ages of two and four. If a child continues to use their pacifier beyond this age range, they may develop jaw or bite complications.

Children who have used a pacifier tend to develop an over bite, and may have issues with their teeth erupting.  Orthodontics may be needed to correct difficult issues caused by pacifier sucking. As your child gets older, breaking their habit becomes more difficult. Early intervention is important to prevent more serious issues as they grow older.

When Is the Best Time To Wean My Child Off the Pacifier?

Each situation and child are different, and we recommend you do what is best for your child. The method used can be instant or gradual, and we can help by recommending behavior modifications to assist in the process. Timing is key, and parents should consider what the child has going on at the moment while weaning them off the pacifier. Finding new ways to comfort your child through the weaning process is important and giving incentives can help. Positive reinforcement works best and always avoid negative behavior during the process.

Interested in Finding Out More Information?

If you are interested in finding out more about pacifier weaning, or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Can Fruit Juice Cause Tooth Decay?

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Fruit Juice

Fruit juice is thought of as a healthy way to give children the vitamins they need. Juice is packed with sugar and acids that can cause damage to your child’s teeth. Teaching a child good eating and drinking habits is important, so they do not expect to have juice all of the time. Choosing water over juice is best and saving juice for special occasions can help. At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, we are always giving our patients advice regarding how to take care of their teeth and mouth at a young age. Our staff is trained to give recommendations on diet and what foods to avoid in order to keep your child’s teeth cavity free.

How Does Juice Damage Teeth?

Juice contains high levels of sugar, and when your child drinks the juice the bacteria in the mouth creates an acid. This acid is what attacks the tooth enamel and can cause tooth decay and cavities. Visiting our office regularly with your child is important. Our exam process takes a look at your child’s teeth to ensure we do not see any issues with decay or any developing cavities.

Even though the sugar in juice is natural, it can still cause damage that can lead to tooth decay. In addition to the sugar, juice also contains natural acids that can wear down the enamel on our teeth. Talking to your child about making good food and drink choices can help avoid tooth decay from juice or other sugar filled foods and drinks.

What Juice Is Best?

If you choose to have juice there are differences in the brands and nutritional value. Juice cocktails tend to not be 100% juice, and can contain additional sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup. Mixed juices can contain added sugars, so it is important to read the labels carefully. Many fruit punch type drinks are labeled as juice, but they have no nutritional value and are packed with added sugars.

Finding 100% fruit juice is the best choice, but these can also be unhealthy and contain just as much sugar as a glass of soda. Orange and grapefruit juices tend to have lower amounts of sugar. Choosing whole fruits instead of juice is always the best choice because whole fruit provides additional nutrition such as fiber and other vitamins.

Ready To Schedule Your Appointment With Us?

If you are interested in scheduling your child’s appointment, or have a concern about tooth decay, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our staff will be happy to assist you.

Why Are Babies Advised to See a Dentist?

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Pediatric Dentisty

Taking your baby to the dentist seems like it may be not necessary, but taking them is actually important. Most parents wonder what the correct age is to take their baby to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends parents seek out a dentist for their child by the age of one years old, or when they notice the first tooth erupting.

On average primary teeth erupt around six months of age. In some cases parents feel their baby does not have enough teeth to warrant a visit to the dentist. Actually, visiting a dentist at this early age provides many benefits. Ensuring baby teeth are erupting properly is important, and allows the dentist to catch any issues early on.

Children should keep their primary teeth as long as they can until they are lost naturally. There are many benefits to keeping primary teeth relating to development in children.

Benefits of Primary Teeth

  • Help with speech development in children
  • Help to chew food properly
  • Primary teeth give children confidence about their appearance and promote a healthy smile.
  • Primary teeth save space for future teeth

Teaching Children to Care for Their Teeth

Taking your child to the dentist can establish proper dental hygiene habits at a young age, and teach your child how to care for their teeth. Our team can help explain how taking care of your teeth avoids cavities and other issues in the future. Establishing a good relationship with your dentist is important, and your child will be comfortable when visiting the dentist in the future.

Part of our initial visit process for children include a tour of our office and the highest level of care. We want your child to feel comfortable and at ease when they visit our office. Our team will take a look at your child’s teeth, and create a baseline of information that can be used as your child grows.

Our team will monitor the development of your child’s teeth, and ensure all the primary teeth are erupting properly. We care about your child’s health, and we always ensure each appointment is a positive experience for everyone.

Interested in Making an Appointment?

If you are interested in making an appointment our team is here to help. We encourage parents to set up an initial exam and let us handle everything. Your child is in good hands, and we go above and beyond to provide the highest level of care.

To schedule an exam for your child, please contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you!

Why are my Child’s Teeth Not Coming In?

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Pediatric Dentistry

In most children teeth erupt normally and there are no issues. On the other hand there are cases when parents may notice their child’s teeth are not erupting at a normal rate, or not at all. If you notice your child’s teeth are not erupting properly it may be time to bring them in to see their dentist.

One of the many reasons it is important to establish a relationship with your child’s dentist at an early age is so we can keep an eye on their teeth, and get in front of any issues. Knowing ahead of time your child may have an issue can help prevent further complications. There are a few common reasons why teeth may not erupt properly in children.

Space Is Limited

In many cases children do not have enough space in their mouth for permanent teeth to erupt properly. Permanent teeth are larger and wider than baby teeth, and this can cause an issue if there is not enough space available.

Impaction

Impaction is when a permanent tooth is unable to erupt on its own. Impacted teeth develop under the gums and can be caused by extra teeth, lack of space, or narrow jaws. If your child has impacted teeth we will refer you to an orthodontist for treatment. Orthodontic treatment is typically needed to help make the necessary space in the mouth. A simple procedure is done to uncover the impacted tooth under the gum, and gently pull the tooth into place.

Teeth Erupting the Wrong Way

A common issue children face is when their permanent teeth erupt in the wrong direction. This typically happens to either the upper canine teeth or the lower bicuspids. If your child’s teeth are erupting in the wrong direction you will be referred to an orthodontist to help move the teeth into the correct position.

Extra Teeth

Another common issue with tooth eruption in children is when they have too many teeth. This condition is called hyperdontia, and the extra teeth can block permanent teeth from erupting. To correct this issue we may recommend extracting the extra teeth that are causing an issue. For this condition, orthodontic treatment may be needed.

Medical Conditions

Medical conditions can affect if and how teeth erupt, as well as the development of the jaw. If development is affected by a medical condition, this can delay permanent teeth from erupting on time. Common medical conditions that may cause an issue are down’s syndrome, hypothyroidism, and rickets.

Ready To Visit Your Child’s Dentist?

If you feel your child has an issue with their teeth erupting please do not hesitate to schedule an appointment in our office. Our team is here to help, and the sooner we can take a look at your child’s teeth the quicker we can devise a treatment plan.

Your child’s health is our priority, and our team always strives to provide the very best care for all of our patients.

If you have a concern about your child’s teeth, and you would like to schedule an appointment please contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.

Do Pediatric Dentists Perform Surgery?

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Pediatric Dentisty

A Pediatric dentist treats children from birth through adolescence. Pediatric dentists have skills to interact with infants and children, and this makes visits comfortable and easy for both the parent and child. Finding that perfect pediatric dentist is important, and helps to set the tone for good oral hygiene.

Pediatric dentists provide many procedures and treatments to help keep your child’s teeth and mouth developing properly and feeling great.

Common Pediatric Dentistry Services

  • Cleanings and exams
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Dental sealants
  • Deep cleaning
  • Fitting oral appliances such as mouthguards
  • Surgical procedures including tooth extractions, tooth implants, gum surgery and tissue grafts
  • Treatments to restore damaged teeth such as fillings, crowns, and root canals

What Surgeries Does a Pediatric Dentist Perform?

Pediatric dentists perform surgeries that include implants, tooth extractions, gum surgery, and tissue grafts. If your child has been recommended for oral surgery, and the surgery required is not a common surgery done by your pediatric dentist, they will refer you to an oral surgeon. Typically if the surgery involves impacted teeth higher in the gum line, or other areas that are not easy to reach an oral surgeon is required.

Pediatric dentists must complete three or more years of undergraduate education, as well as graduate with either a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). In addition, pediatric dentists must complete an additional 2-3 years of specialized training specifically for diagnosing and treating children.

Pediatric dentists should be seen when an infant gets his or her first tooth or no later than one year old. Attending regular exams and cleanings every six months sets the tone early on, and teaches children at a young age how to care for their teeth. How often your child needs to be seen depends on their dental needs and level of plaque buildup.

Practicing good oral hygiene habits at home and eating a healthy diet can help teach your child how to take great care of their teeth and mouth. Establishing a good relationship with your dentist is important, and gives your dental team the opportunity to monitor your child’s development and get in front of any issues.

Interested in Scheduling Your Child’s Exam?

If you are interested in scheduling your child’s dental exam and cleaning our team is here to help. We provide the highest level of service, and always make sure all of our patients are comfortable and relaxed. We want each appointment to be an exceptional one!

To schedule an appointment please contact our office, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

How Do I Prepare My Child For Their First Dental Visit?

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Process of drying the dental seal after treatment of the patient's tooth in pediatric dentistry. Little girl in dentist office.

Planning your child’s first dental visit can be stressful. Many parents wonder when the perfect time is to bring their child in for their first exam. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists or AAPD recommends that children visit the dentist by the age of one, or when they first notice signs of teeth erupting. Typically, primary teeth do not erupt until about six months of age.

Parents tend to worry how their child will feel or behave at the dentist for the first time. There are many benefits to visiting the dentist starting at a young age, and with positive encouragement and our amazing staff we always ensure your child’s first visit and every visit after will go well. 

There are a few things we recommend to parents to help prepare their child to visit our office for the first time. We want all of our patients to feel calm and relaxed and enjoy their visit. Our staff is specially trained to work with children, and they are in good hands while in our care.

Helpful Ways to Prepare Your Child Before Their First Visit to Our Office

  • We welcome all new patients to schedule a tour of our office and meet our staff. This helps your child get to know where they are going, and when they arrive they will feel more comfortable because they have already been here for a visit.
  • Talk to your child about how important it is to see your dentist regularly. With positive attitude your child will feel excited and not afraid, and will enjoy visiting our office.
  • There are dental books and TV shows available that you can show your child so they can get an idea what a dental office looks like, and what we do during a dental exam and cleaning.
  • During your child’s appointment we recommend bringing in any comfort items such as a stuffed animal or blanket to make your child feel relaxed.
  • Our staff provides each child with a reward at the end of each visit so they have something to look forward to. Parents are welcome to plan for a reward as an incentive to help the child get through their first appointment.
  • It is important to talk to your child about how important dental hygiene is. Keeping our teeth and gums clean so we can have beautiful smiles can help teach them good oral hygiene habits at a young age.

Starting your child out right with proper dental care helps to set the stage for later in life and teaches children good oral hygiene. We look forward to establishing a good relationship with each of our pediatric patients, and our staff will help your child understand how important it is to take care of your teeth and visit our office regularly.

Our dental exams are thorough and we can check for any issues as your child grows older. We believe in preventative care to help keep your child’s teeth feeling and looking their best.

Are You Interested in Scheduling Your Child’s First Exam?

If you are interested in scheduling your child’s first dental exam we are here to help. Contact our office and our friendly staff can assist you!

Helping your child take charge of their oral health at a young age is important and our staff is here to support both our pediatric patients and their parents, and provide the highest level of dental care.

We look forward to meeting you and having your child join our dental family.

Office Hours

Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday Reserved for Day Surgery Patients
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Contact Info

1602 E. Starr Ave. Suite 203
Nacogdoches, TX 75961

[email protected]

(936) 559-7200
(936) 559-7221 (fax)
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