PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
We are so happy to offer our families a pediatric dental
specialist right here in our office! Dr. John Hinding and his
team are committed to the health and well-being of all the
children they treat, and most of all, they are committed to
making every visit FUN! It’s very exciting to see children
looking forward to their dental visits at BDP…this is a goal
we consistently strive to achieve!
Cavities / Dental Decay
It is our desire for every child to grow up cavity-free, and we have some great advice on how to get there. However, sometimes children do develop cavities at a young age in their baby teeth, and it leaves the parents wondering "what went wrong". Here’s what we recommend to aid in the prevention of decay:
- It all starts with a healthy diet. A well balanced meal, following the food pyramid recommendations is not only good for overall body health, but for keeping balance in the oral environment, which discourages the prevalence of acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities.
- Good oral hygiene is also a must. Children need to brush at least twice a day, and floss once daily. We encourage parents to still help their children brush and floss, even as the children get a little older. When the permanent teeth begin to come in and baby teeth are lost, a LOT is changing and new methods of brushing must be taken on. There are also plaque-detecting rinses available that help to show areas that are being missed during brushing.
- Tooth sealants and preventative fillings are also valuable in eliminating the growth of decay in deep grooved areas in the teeth. “Groovy” areas provide many nooks and crannies for bacteria to settle, so sealing them at a young age is very beneficial.
- Regular fluoride treatments also strengthen the enamel and help fight against the effects of cavity-causing bacteria.
- Fluoridated water is also important during the “enamel formation” years (up to age 8), however, you must check with your water provider to find out what the level of fluoridation is. Children can receive too much fluoride, which can actually weaken teeth. The recommended level of water fluoridation is 1 part per million (1ppm). If you have any questions, please ask us at your dental visit, or talk to your pediatrician.
Pain Control
Every visit has the opportunity to be “pain-free” in our eyes. Most dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, and extractions can be done using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthetic (numbing). And, many times treating small cavities in baby teeth can be done with nitrous oxide alone. We also keep our patients at ease by talking to them throughout the procedure and use the method, “Tell, Show, Do”, which keeps the child feeling they are a part of what’s going on…no surprises.
Conscious Sedation
Sometimes certain patients benefit from the incorporation of conscious sedation to help get their work done. Examples of this include a very young child in need of work, if there is a large amount of treatment to be done, or in a very fearful or behaviorally challenged patient. Dr. Hinding works with an anesthetist to give sedation, via an I.V. Compared to oral sedation, IV sedation is more effective, more predictable, and safer. Conscious sedation means that the patient is awake and responsive, but there is an amnesic effect, so our patients have no recollection of the treatment performed. We have found that conscious sedation greatly benefits some families, and allows the visit to be as pleasant for the child as possible
Orthodontics
Dr. Hinding and other pediatric dentists have extensive training in facial growth and development. Our team works closely with local orthodontists to make sure our patients get appropriate and timely treatment. Good bites and attractive smiles are important!
|
|
| |
|
