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Is it normal for a baby’s teeth to have white spots?

May 17, 2016

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 9:26 am

I have a 12 month old. He has his bottom and top teeth. We do a little brushing and he’s just starting on some mild solid food. What worries me is he has white spots on his teeth. I thought that was a sign of decalcification. If we’re brushing, why would he have decalcification this soon?

Trish T. – Washington

Trish,

You’re right that the white spots are a sign of decalcification. It’s concerning on a child so young, especially when you say you’ve already started his oral hygiene. That’s a good thing that you have, because likely things would be worse if you hadn’t.

There may be an issue with the way your son’s teeth are developing. Don’t panic. It can usually be handled if dealt with sooner rather than later. It’s likely your pediatric dentist will recommend extra fluoride treatments as well as some sealings as your son’s molars develop.

Just be sure to be seen. It won’t be a full visit, such as an adult gets. It’s a quick young child’s appointment. There’s even a special billing code for it so you’re not charged too much.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Don Swearingen.

Why does my child have extra teeth?

March 15, 2016

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 7:48 pm

I noticed today that my son has two extra teeth coming in behind his baby teeth. Do you know why? Is this normal? We haven’t found a pediatric dentist yet, because he hasn’t had any problems until now.

Janie S. – Colorado

Janie,

You didn’t mention how old your son was, but I suspect his adult teeth are erupting and not waiting on his baby teeth to evacuate the premises. If his baby teeth are loose, then I wouldn’t worry too much.

If the teeth aren’t loose you’ll want to take steps. My suggestion would be to have the teeth extracted. You don’t want them in the wrong position any longer than necessary. That will just cost you more money later with their orthodontic work.

I know you don’t say you have a pediatric dentist yet, but I’d suggest you see one now, just to have a peek. If you have trouble getting in, you can also see a general dentist who enjoys treating children. They’re qualified.

One thing I’d like to address is a common error that parents make, and that is waiting until there is an issue to take a child to the dentist. First, you don’t want their first experience to be a painful one. That will forever negatively impact the way they view the dentist. Secondly, getting them in before there’s an issue can prevent problems before they start.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Don Swearingen.

Does a child’s cavity really need to be treated?

January 14, 2016

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 4:28 pm

My daughter has a cavity on her molar. My dentist wants to do a filling. I feel like that isn’t necessary for a child’s tooth, which will fall out anyway, but wanted to get a second opinion.

Maria B. – Brooklyn

Maria,

I’m afraid in this case your pediatric dentist is right.  Molars are different than front teeth. While front teeth often fall out in their younger years, molars need to stay put until your daughter is around twelve years old.

If you don’t treat her cavity, it will spread. This is an infection. Left unchecked, it will not only cause her to lose her tooth, but will spread throughout her body.

If she looses her tooth, you’ll need a space maintainer to hold that spot open, otherwise her other teeth with crowd in, causing her to need braces.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Should I have a loose tooth pulled?

November 14, 2015

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 11:03 am

My daughter has had a loose molar for a month. It’s still not coming out and all she does is complain about it. Should I have it pulled?

Meagan K. – Yonkers, NY

Meagan,

It can take teeth quite a long time to fully come out.  Those ligaments which hold them in place stretch and snap back so much you can despair that the tooth will ever come out.  I wouldn’t jump to pulling it yet.  You don’t want to pull it out before the adult tooth is ready.  The baby tooth is holding that space open. If you pull it prematurely, her teeth could shift, not leaving room for an adult tooth.

This is especially true of molars which need to say in much longer than other teeth. If you’re daughter isn’t around eleven years old, that molar needs to stay put, barring there being an infection.

If you’re concerned, I would take her in to her pediatric dentist and let him or her have a look. They can make sure the adult tooth is fine and there is no underlying problem with her molar. If there is a problem and the molar needs to come out early, the pediatric dentist can place a space maintainer to keep her teeth from shifting.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

White Fillings for Children

September 14, 2015

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 10:39 pm

I was wondering if children can have white fillings. I go to a general dentist and he said that it isn’t possible for children to have it.  I don’t know why, but I find that hard to believe.  I’d really rather not put mercury into my daughter’s mouth.  Would a pediatric dentist feel the same way?

Judy W. – Ft. Smith, AR

Judy,

It’s not as much the difference between a general or pediatric dentist in this case. It is a combination of their comfort level with children and their comfort level with composite (white) fillings.

Composite fillings require the patient to sit very, very still.  Even their tongue has to be still. Most children find that challenging. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t be done or even if there was a fidgety child, sedation couldn’t be used.

You’d have to be confident your child could handle the procedure and find a dentist skilled in white fillings that enjoys working with children, which could either be a general dentist who treats children or a pediatric dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Child restrained at dentist

July 15, 2015

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 4:44 pm

I read a news story this month about a child who was restrained in a papoose without the parents consent.  The article said it was a common practice.  This makes me terrified to bring my child to the dentist.  It seems like abuse to me.  How can that be common?

Olive D. – Baltimore

Olive,

I don’t think they meant it was common practice to use the papoose without a parent’s consent.  If you don’t want your child in a papoose, your child doesn’t go in a papoose. It’s a simple as that.  Though, I will say always be sure to read any treatment consent forms.  In this particular case, the dentist said the parents had signed a consent for restraints.  But, because the dentist only discussed laughing gas with them, they didn’t realize what was in the consent form.  If the dentist left that out of the discussion to intentionally mislead the parents, it would be considered quite unethical.

Bottom line, find a pediatric dentist you trust.  Have open communication with them. Ask questions.  Many dentists will also let parents come back into the operatory with their child.  For some kids that is a comfort. For others, that makes it harder.  You know your child best, so go with what your heart tells you.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Is a space maintainer really necessary?

May 15, 2015

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , , , , — okcitydentist @ 3:31 pm

My son needs to have a tooth removed.  I can hardly afford this procedure and my dentist is wanting to have a space maintainer put in as well. That is an additional expense. Tell me honestly, is it really necessary?

Hannah D. – North Dakotta

Hannah,

Children are the joy of our lives, but they sure cost a lot of money.  Fortunately, they’re worth it. We have to remember we cost our parents a lot of money as well. That being said, I do understand how difficult it can be to afford everything they need. You don’t want to spend any additional money if it is not absolutely necessary.

In this case, however, your pediatric dentist is right. The expense is a necessary one. If you don’t have a space mainainer placed, the adjacent teeth will shift. When his adult teeth begin to come in, it will lead to crowding.  If you think a space maintainer is an additional expense, you should see how much braces cost.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

My Dentist is Terrible with Children

January 17, 2015

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 3:00 pm

I had read that children didn’t have to go to a pediatric dentist. I took my son to my dentist and he was terrible with children. Was I mistaken? Should I have taken him to a pediatric dentist?

Leslie M. – Staten Island, NY

Leslie,

You weren’t mistaken about the fact that children not having to see pediatric dentists, however, maybe your dentist isn’t the best choice when it comes to working with children.

Sometimes, an adult dental office has a dentist there that prefers working with children. Some even hire a pediatric dentist to come to their office. I’d ask the receptionist if you’re worried about hurting your dentist’s feelings.

One way to tell whether a general dentist is comfortable with children is when they say they’ll first see them. If they say they’ll take a two or three year old, you can know they’re truly comfortable. If they prefer  to wait until they are eight or above, I’d take that as a hint to look for someone else.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

My pediatric dentist won’t let me back with my child

November 14, 2014

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 5:49 pm

I don’t know what to do. We found a great pediatric dental clinic, but he doesn’t let parents back. My daughter said she was terrified. I don’t want to put her through that again. Is there a way to convince the dentist I need to be back there?

Amanda P. – Staten Island, NY

Amanda,

Each dentist has a different way of handling this issue. Some pediatric dentists are fine with parents being back in the operatory. Others absolutely will not allow it, feeling children do better without their parents in the room, projecting anxiety. Still others decide on a case by case basis.

What is boils down to is you’re the parent. You’ll have to find the pediatric dentist that works best with your family. I’d talk to your current dentist about your daughter’s experience. If he’s at least willing to try you going back with her then you can continue with him. If not, and you feel strongly it is in your daughter’s best interest to go, then you’ll have to find a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

Do I have to go to a pediatric dentist?

September 6, 2014

Filed under: Pediatric Dentist — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 3:50 pm

I have a minor problem. The only pediatric dentist within 50 miles is my ex boyfriend. I’m having my first child in a month. Does my child need a pediatric dentist or will a general dentist be sufficient? Does this question make me a terrible mother before I even start?

Elise L. – Montana

Elise,

Let me assure you that your question does not make you a bad mom. If you didn’t care enough to ask the question and just took him to whereever you were comfortable, then I might wonder.

A general dentist is well qualified to treat children. However, not all of them like to. You’ll want to look for a dentist who enjoys pediatric dentistry. You can generally tell a couple of ways. 1. You could ask. 2. They’ll have a page on their website about pediatric dentistry.

However, you’ll want someone who is comfortable seeing children at a young age. If they say they’ll see children as young as two or three, then you can know they’re comfortable with children. If they want to wait until they are 8 or 9, then I would look for a different dentist…obviously.

This blog is brought to you Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.

 

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