First impressions set the tone for the future. Making sure children have good experiences at the dentist--starting at the earliest possible age--is the best way to protect their smiles for life.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. Regular visits help your child stay cavity-free. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build up on the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Hygiene instructions improve your child's brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums.

Dr. Sandor can also provide early diagnosis of orthodontic problems, help select a mouth guard to prevent sports injuries to your child's face and teeth and apply sealants to protect against tooth decay.

Baby Teeth

Regular dental care should begin at the age of one year--but by this time, many babies already have tooth decay. It is very important that primary, or "baby", teeth are kept until they are replaced by permanent ones. Primary teeth are important because:

• They help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development, and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly and smile confidently is a happier child.
• They allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into the correct place. Some primary molars are not replaced until age 10-14, so they must last a long time.
• And last but not least, decayed baby teeth cause pain! Abscesses and infections can spread to the permanent teeth and cause damage.

Dr. Sandor and her staff at Naples Pediatric Dentistry will help you learn about preventive dental care for baby teeth. By discussing gum diseases, nursing decay and home care--including brushing, flossing, diet control, and the use of fluorides--parents will gain important knowledge that can help protect their child's smile for a lifetime.

Teens

Dr. Sandor enjoys talking to teens and teaching preventative dental health care with their needs in mind. For instance, as children enter the middle school and high school years, their attitude toward dental care may change. Their appearance and self-image are very important to them; decayed teeth or poorly positioned teeth or jaws make them very self-conscious. They also frequently eat snack foods, which become a major part of their diet.

Teens are also likely to be involved in sports, which might involve the risk of damage to the teeth and mouth. One of the best and simplest ways to prevent injury is through the use of a mouth guard. The best mouth guards are those custom-fitted by a pediatric dentist.

Sealants

But there's much more! A very effective new type of preventative dental treatment is sealants. A sealant is a thin bonding material that your pediatric dentist may apply to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Because the back teeth have depressions and grooves on their chewing surfaces, they are difficult or impossible to thoroughly clean. Food and bacteria build up in these depressions, placing your child in danger of tooth decay. The sealant forms a coating or barrier to "seal out" food. By protecting the tooth with a coating of the correct sealant, your pediatric dentist can dramatically reduce the risk of decay for both children and teens.

In an emergency please call (239) 592-0800

If your child has fallen from a bike, was hit by a baseball, or some other way knocked out a permanent tooth, don't panic. If the tooth itself was not damaged, with proper care and follow-up, chances are good that the tooth can be saved!

The most important thing is to remain calm and find the tooth.

Don't rinse, scrub or wash it. Hold it by the crown, because you shouldn't disturb the living cells that are still on the root and could help it survive. Try and reinsert it in the socket.

If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk or warm water and take your child and the tooth immediately to the pediatric dentist.

Dr. Sandor is never too busy to save a stray tooth! But even teeth that have only been chipped or knocked partially out of place can be treated. Parents should never assume that "nothing can be done".