Don't fall for it, parents! Just because baby teeth are temporary doesn't mean they don't matter. Despite what naysayers and wishful thinkers might have you believe, forgetting to care for primary teeth comes at a steep price for your child.

If you're questioning whether it's worth wrangling your little one into a dental routine now, these facts prove that adopting good habits early on can pay off big time for your child's oral health down the road.

1: Baby teeth help shape your child's speech.

Forming and pronouncing words correctly depends largely on the presence and alignment of baby teeth. Premature loss of any primary teeth can result in speech impediments such as a slur or lisp, and negatively impact both a child's ability to communicate and his or her self-esteem. Depending on the severity of the case, a speech pathologist may be required to help correct the problem(s).

2: Baby teeth facilitate proper chewing and eating.

In addition to efficiently breaking down solid foods, chewing correctly is important for other reasons. Tooth loss and/or alignment issues can cause unnecessary stress to the jaw and result in serious complications over time, and chewing problems can also interfere with the development of key facial muscles. Improper chewing can even contribute to a nutritional imbalance if poor oral health starts impacting food choices.

3: Baby teeth act as a placeholder for permanent teeth.

Permanent teeth will emerge, but how and where has a lot to do with your child's first set of pearly whites. Each primary tooth reserves a spot for a permanent tooth, but the loss of this initial placeholder can cause shifting and result in harmful misalignments. Cosmetic issues aside, misaligned teeth can make brushing and flossing more difficult, result in crowded and/or impacted teeth, and contribute to jaw disorders such as TMJ.

4: Maintaining healthy baby teeth helps to instill effective dental habits.

Teaching the ins and outs of good oral hygiene can have a lifelong impact on your child. Introducing healthy dental habits early on can solidify the importance of preventative dental care, making it easier for him or her to stick with these habits throughout adulthood. This can mean a lifetime of optimal oral health, and significantly reduced chances for costly dental problems.

Dental Tips for Baby Teeth

Brushing and flossing may not be your child's favorite activity, but introducing healthy habits the moment that first tooth appears can make it easier for both parent and child to stick to a routine.

While there is no set timeline for baby teeth to erupt, here are some general guidelines the American Dental Association provides for cleaning and caring for baby teeth:

• From birth (no teeth present): wipe gums clean with a moistened gauze or cloth
• Ages 0-3 (teeth present): brush twice daily with a tiny dab of fluoride toothpaste*
• Ages 3-6: brush twice a day, but use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
• Any age when teeth touch each other: add flossing to your daily routine

Paying a visit to the pediatric dentist before your child's first birthday, and getting regular checkups are also crucial to his or her oral health. Depending on your child's individual situation, certain in-office treatments and/or instructions for at-home care may be recommended.

*Note: Fluoride toothpaste should be expectorated and not swallowed. If you feel your child will swallow the fluoride toothpaste it can be substituted with non-fluoride toothpaste.

Sources:

Baby Teeth Care: Brushing First Teeth, Teething, Gum Care, and More. (2014, November 6). Retrieved June 12, 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/caring-babies-teeth

The Importance of Baby Teeth. (n.d.). Retrieved June 12, 2015, from http://www.dentalassociates.com/pediatric-dentistry/importance-baby-teeth/

Here's How We are Keeping You Safe

It has been a wild ride since March! Our community has been through a lot and we are all looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. Since reopening our practice on May 11th, we have implemented new processes that are responsible, safe, and simple. We are overwhelmed by the positive reaction of the patients we have treated since we have reopened. We can’t thank you enough for your confidence in bringing your children, kind words and supportive comments once you have seen the systems we have in place.

We want to take this opportunity tell you about the infection control procedures we follow and the extra precautions we are taking to keep patients and staff safe:

• Limited number of patients in the office with proper distancing.
• Outdoor check-in system: A numbered sign is located at each parking spot with a phone # to text upon arrival. Everyone will remain in their cars until a dental assistant does a COVID-19 screening at the car.
• Prior to enter the building, each patient will receive a temperature scan and hand sanitizer.
• All staff members wear appropriate protective gear and undergo an assessment and temperature scan daily.
• All parents and non-patients must stay in their car for the duration of the appointment.
  Children who require a companion are still able to have that person accompany them while following our normal protocols, as well as our infection control protocols.
• New patients may have one parent accompany them inside for their first visit but are required to wear their own mask.
• After the visit is complete, an assistant will walk your child(ren) out to the car and the doctor will call to discuss the visit.
• All payments are now contactless and will be collected over the phone or online prior to the visit.
• Additionally, we invested in a new dual function HVAC system that combines UV light and an ionization plasma generator to kill germs, viruses, spores, mold, etc. throughout the building.

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. With enhanced protection and new protocol, we plan to reopen our practice on Monday, May 11th.

Dentists have been practicing infection control for over 30 years. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  We want to tell you more about the infection control procedures we follow and the extra precautions we are taking in our practice to keep patients and staff safe:

• We will be limiting the number of patients in the office and they will be spread out appropriately.
• We have invested in a new feature for our HVAC system throughout the entire building. It is a dual function system that combines a UV light and an ionization plasma generator to kill germs, viruses, spores, mold, etc. We have also added additional air purifiers in each private room
• If you or anyone in your family has flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, aches/pains, etc.) and/or has been in contact with a person testing positive for COVID-19, PLEASE DO NOT COME TO OUR OFFICE!  Simply call and reschedule your appointment.
• After arriving for your appointment, please park in our parking lot and REMAIN IN YOUR CAR. There will be a numbered sign at each parking spot with a phone number to text. Once parked, please text the number on the parking sign with your child’s name and the parking space number. A dental assistant will greet you at your car with a medical release form and will escort your child to the treatment area. 
• Each patient will have a temperature scan and use hand sanitizer prior to entering the building. All dental assistants will be wearing appropriate protective gear.
• All parents and non-patients must stay in their car for the duration of the appointment.  For patients who must have a companion, please notify us before your appointment. All companions will be required to provide their own mask.  
• The waiting room and public play areas will not be used. All toys will be removed and all children will stay in their chair during their appointment. The bathroom will be used for emergencies only.
• At the completion of your child’s appointment, they will be escorted out to the car without stopping at the front desk and without contacting public surfaces. You will then receive a phone call giving you an opportunity to speak to the doctor and schedule additional appointments.
• All payments will be contactless for your own safety.  Our office will collect any necessary co-payments via credit card of Paypal when your child’s appointment is scheduled. 

We value your trust and loyalty and appreciate your patience with our new protocols. During these uncertain times, we realize that your child’s visits will feel more “matter of fact” than fun and playful. Their dental health and medical safety remain our top priority as we navigate these new challenges. We will continue to show our usual warmth, compassion and technological standards that you have come to expect and appreciate over the last 35 years. Our objective has always been to provide the highest quality pediatric dental care without the kids even knowing!! Hopefully we will soon return to the “Disney World” atmosphere, where kids cry when they have to leave and can’t wait for their next visit.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our new safety procedures.  To make an appointment, please call our office at 336-292-0411 or request an appointment online.