Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty that focuses on the unique oral health needs of infants, young children, adolescents and children with special needs.   The pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school, where they learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children and how to help them enjoy their dental experiences.

Maintaining the health of baby, or primary, teeth is very important.  Primary teeth enable your child to chew and eat properly, smile confidently, help in speech development, allow for normal development of the jawbones and muscles, and they save space for the permanent teeth, guiding them into the correct position.  If primary teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent teeth may come in crowded or crooked.   Cavities left untreated can cause your child pain and will eventually become infected, or abscessed, which can affect your child’s overall health and cause defects on the developing permanent teeth.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, usually between 6 and 12 months of age, certainly no later than his/her first birthday.

Four things are necessary for a cavity to develop -- a tooth, bacteria, sugars or other carbohydrates and time. Dental plaque is a soft, thin, sticky layer of bacteria that constantly forms on the tooth surface.  When we eat foods containing sugar, these bacteria break down the sugar, producing acids that attack tooth enamel.  With repeated acidic attacks over time, the tooth surface will break down, forming a cavity. 

Radiographs (X-Rays) are a necessary part of your child's dental exam. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed, including cavities and possible bone diseases.  X-rays are also used to evaluate erupting teeth, evaluate effects of trauma or plan orthodontic treatment.

If your child is found to be at high risk for cavities, your pediatric dentist will likely recommend x-rays every 6 months, however, on average, most children will only receive them once per year.  Using safeguards, such as lead aprons, high-speed film and shields, your child will only receive an extremely small amount of radiation exposure.  The risk is negligible, and the benefits obtained through a thorough radiographic examination are well worth it.

Thumbsucking and extended pacifier use can be harmful for your child’s teeth and jawbones.  Habits that persist past the age of 4 have a higher chance of leading to crowded, crooked teeth, increased “overbite” or other bite problems that may require orthodontics in the future.  Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure, so it is important to focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety, instead of the thumb sucking.  A mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist to aid your child in stopping the habit, however, most children will stop the habit on their own with gentle, encouraging reminders.

Many parents report their children grind their teeth at night, also referred to as bruxism.  This is a fairly common phenomenon, and may be influenced by several factors.  It is thought that stress due to a new environment, divorce, difficulties in school, etc or crowded/malaligned teeth can increase the tendency to grind.  Typically, there is no need for treatment as most children will outgrow grinding by age 9-12 with no significant wear to their permanent teeth.  If you suspect your child may be experiencing stress, talk with them about the issues, encourage relaxing activities before bed, such as story-telling, warm bath, etc.  Talk to your pediatric dentist with any concerns you may have.

Certain orthodontic problems may be recognized as early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age. Your pediatric dentist will inform you if your child requires early orthodontic treatment.

For most children, orthodontic problems become more evident as their permanent teeth begin to erupt. Following the recommendations of the American Association of Orthodontists, your pediatric dentist may suggest a visit to the orthodontist as early as age 7. The orthodontist will then be able to follow your child’s growth and development and initiate orthodontic treatment at the most opportune time.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a mixture of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide.  It is a safe, proven effective method of calming your child’s dental fears.  Your pediatric dentist may recommend nitrous oxide if your child is showing signs of anxiety in the dental setting.  When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and helps your child to relax, while remaining fully conscious.  It is quickly eliminated from the body by normal breathing, and will have no residual effects on your child.

Oral piercings are becoming much more common among teenagers.  However, few teens are aware of the many symptoms and complications that may result, including  pain, swelling, infection, chipped or cracked teeth, increased flow of saliva, and injuries to the gums or other oral tissues.

Clean the area of the affected tooth by brushing, rinsing vigorously with warm water or use dental floss to remove any food or debris that may be present.  If the pain continues, contact your child’s dentist.  If swelling is present, apply cold compresses and contact your child’s dentist immediately.  DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or affected tooth.

If applicable, FIND THE CHIPPED FRAGMENT!  Place the tooth fragment in cold milk or your child’s saliva and contact your child’s dentist immediately.  If swelling is present, apply cold compresses.  It is imperative for your child to be treated as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the tooth and nerve.

FIND THE TOOTH!   Handle the tooth very carefully, touching only the crown, not the root.  Rinse with WATER ONLY and if the tooth is intact, attempt to re-insert the tooth into the socket.  Have your child hold the tooth firmly in place by biting on a cloth.  If you are unable to re-insert the tooth, place immediately into a cup of cold milk or your child’s saliva.  Keep the tooth moist and contact your child’s dentist IMMEDIATELY as it is imperative that your child be treated as soon as possible to save the tooth.

Apply cold compresses to the affected areas. If there is bleeding,  apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure or does not stop after 15 minutes, take the child to the nearest emergency room.

If your child has an emergency such as trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, pain or swelling, please call our office at (847) 670-9020. Even if it is after hours, Dr. Willox will return your call as soon as possible.

A toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head, especially one designed for infants, is the best choice for infants.   You may also use gauze or special wipes that contain xylitol  to decrease the number of bacteria in your baby’s mouth.  Brushing at least once a day, at bedtime, will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay.  Toothpaste is not recommended at this age, however if using it, be sure it is non-fluoridated.

Baby bottle tooth decay or Early Childhood Caries is a pattern of rapid tooth decay associated with prolonged nursing or bottle-feeding.  With frequent and long exposures to any liquid containing sugar, the enamel on your baby’s teeth can quickly deteriorate and a cavity forms.  These liquids include breast milk, regular milk, formula, fruit juice, unsweetened fruit juice, soda, or even watered down sugar containing drinks.

To prevent this disease, avoid nursing your baby to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle.  Your baby should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.  If your child is drinking from a sippy cup, only give water to drink throughout the day.  Milk or juice should be reserved for mealtimes only in small amounts (4-6 oz per day).

You should notice your baby start to begin teething at around age 6 months.  The two lower front teeth will erupt first, followed by the two upper front teeth.  The remaining teeth continue to erupt over the next 18 to 24 months, with the last baby molars erupting age 30 months.  Your child should have a total of 20 baby teeth.

Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease tooth decay by making teeth stronger. Fluoride found in drinking water is the best and easiest way to get it.  If your child does not drink tap water, or you are unsure about the level of fluoride in your community’s drinking water, ask your pediatric dentist, to ensure your child is getting enough fluoride.  It is possible to have the level of fluoride in your drinking water evaluated. If your child is not getting enough fluoride through drinking water or other sources, your pediatric dentist may prescribe fluoride supplements.

Do not use fluoridated toothpaste if your child swallows the paste while brushing, and is unable to spit.  Children do not usually learn to spit until at least age 3. Earlier than that, clean your child's teeth with a soft –bristled toothbrush and water only.  Once your child has learned to spit, parents should supervise brushing. Use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste.

Establish brushing as a daily habit as soon as your child’s first teeth erupt.  Once your child reaches age 3, they should be able to brush with toothpaste without swallowing it.  Ensure your child is able to spit out the toothpaste before starting to use fluoridated toothpaste.  A pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste is all that is necessary.  Parents should assist their child with brushing twice daily until age 6 or 7, or until it has been established that your child has the skills necessary to brush properly on their own.  Flossing should also be introduced around age 4 to remove plaque in the areas between teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach.

When brushing, be sure to thoroughly brush all surfaces, including the inner, outer and chewing surfaces.  Use a soft bristle toothbrush and using a circular motion, gently clean along the gumline and over all tooth surfaces.  Don’t forget to brush your child’s tongue.

A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of your child’s back teeth (molars and premolars).  The sealant prevents food from sticking in the hard-to-clean grooves on your child’s teeth, so they are very effective at preventing cavities and can protect your child’s teeth for many years

Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards, are made of soft plastic and fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks and gums from sports-related injuries.   We recommend the use of a mouth guard during any activity where there is a risk of injury to the head, face, or neck.  The highest number of dental/oral injuries tend to occur during basketball, baseball and soccer.  Mouth guards may be purchased at most athletic stores; however their level of comfort and protection may not be optimal.  A custom-fitted mouth guard fitted by our doctor is your child's best protection against sports-related injuries.

You can help prevent cavities by establishing good oral hygiene practices for you and your child.  Ensure your child brushes their teeth twice daily, especially before bedtime.  Avoid sugar-containing liquids in your child’s bottle or sippy cup and monitor the number of snacks containing sugar that your child eats.  Take your child to the dentist regularly, starting at the time of their first birthday, and every 6 months after that.  Sealants will be suggested for your child’s permanent molars to prevent decay.  Most importantly, follow the recommendations of your pediatric dentist.