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We recommend to each parent that, when their children reach the age of three, they bring them along to our office during their own regular hygiene visit. In that way, they can see it is fun to go to the dentist!
At Tischler Dental we address the basic dental issues of children such as cleanings, sealants and basic dental issues of children. When a referral is deemed necessary, we refer to a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentistry is a recognize dental specialty that often best treats the special needs of children. These specialists have been specifically trained to address the psychological and clinical needs of children's dental care. At Tischler Dental we believe that a dentist best trained in an area of dentistry should treat that area. We have a few pediatric dentists that have been part of our referral team for years. If we deem it necessary a referral will be arranged. These children's dental specialists are equipped and trained to handle all children's dental situations. Through a pediatric dentist treating a child, the child has reduced trauma from a dental experience, and the work is done by a clinician specially trained.
These early visits teach your child to take responsibility for his or her own dental health and can allay any concerns that might otherwise arise. This is why these early visits are so important.
For a general guide as to when you may expect your child's teeth to come in, please refer to the pictures below. We've also included some information on sealants – which are only used on a child's teeth if we detect grooves in them – and some questions and answers about braces. (We've been working with several local orthodontists for years and routinely screen your child at the appropriate time to see if such a referral is needed.)
SEALANTS
What is a sealant?
A dental sealant is a thin plastic film painted on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars (the teeth directly in front of the molars). Sealants have been shown to be highly effective in the prevention of cavities. They were developed through dental research in the 1950s and first became available commercially in the early 1970s. The first sealant was accepted by the American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics in 1972.
How effective are sealants?
Scientific studies have proven that properly applied sealants are 100 percent effective in protecting the tooth surfaces from decay. Because sealants act as a physical barrier to decay, protection is determined by the sealants' ability to adhere to the tooth. As long as the sealant remains intact, small food particles and bacteria that cause cavities cannot penetrate through or around a sealant. In fact, research has shown that sealants actually stop cavities when placed on top of a slightly decayed tooth by sealing off the supply of nutrients to the bacteria that causes a cavity.
Sealant protection is reduced or lost when part or all of the bond between the tooth and sealant is broken. However, clinical studies have shown that teeth that have lost sealants are no more susceptible to tooth decay than teeth that were never sealed.
How are sealants applied?
Sealant application involves cleaning the surface of the tooth and rinsing the surface to remove all traces of the cleaning agent. An etching solution or gel is applied to the enamel surface of the tooth, including the pits and grooves. After 15 seconds, the solution is thoroughly rinsed away with water. After the site is dried, the sealant material is applied and allowed to harden by using a special curing light. Other sealants are applied and allowed to harden much the same way nail polish is applied to fingernails.
Sealant treatment is painless and could take anywhere from five to 45 minutes to apply, depending on how many teeth need to be sealed. Sealants must be applied properly for good retention.
How long will a sealant last?
Sealants should last five years, but can last as long as 10 years. One study reported that seven years after application, an impressive 49 percent of treated teeth were still completely covered. Sealants should not be considered permanent. Regular dental check-ups are necessary to monitor the sealant's bond to the tooth.
Who should receive sealant treatment?
Children, because they have newly erupted permanent teeth, receive the greatest benefit from sealants. The chewing surfaces of a child's teeth are most susceptible to cavities and the least benefited by fluoride. Surveys show that approximately two-thirds of all cavities occur in the narrow pits and grooves of a child's newly erupted teeth because food particles and bacteria cannot be cleaned out.
Other patients also can benefit from sealant placement, such as those who have existing pits and grooves susceptible to decay. Research has shown that almost everybody has a 95 percent chance of eventually experiencing cavities in the pits and grooves of their teeth.
Sources:
American Dental Association;
The National Institute of Dental Research;
Leslie V. Margens, DDS, MPH, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Ecology, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis;
Leonard Cohen, DDS, MpH, MS, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Education and Instructional Resources, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland at Baltimore.
© AGD at www.agd.org
ORTHODONTICS
What is "orthodontics," and why do people get braces?
Orthodontics is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws to improve one's smile and oral health. "Ortho" means correct or straight, and "dont" means tooth.
A dentist usually recommends braces to improve the patient's physical "orofacial" appearance. Through orthodontic treatment, problems like crooked or crowded teeth, overbites or underbites, incorrect jaw position, and disorders of the jaw joints are corrected.
When is the right time for braces?
Patients with orthodontic problems can benefit from treatment at nearly any age. An ideal time for placement of braces is between 10 and 14 years of age, while the head and mouth are still growing and teeth are more accessible to straightening. However, because any adjustments in facial appearance can be traumatic to a child during these sensitive years, parents should discuss the matter with their children before braces are applied. And braces aren't just for kids. More and more adults are also wearing braces to correct minor problems and to improve their smiles.
What kind of braces will I have to wear?
Your dentist will know what appliance is best for your particular problem, but the patient often has a choice. Braces generally come in three varieties: The most popular type are brackets, metal or plastic, that are bonded to teeth and are far less noticeable. The "lingual" type of braces are brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hidden from view. Bands are the old-fashioned type that cover most of your teeth with metal bands that wrap around the teeth. All use wires to move the teeth to the desired position.
How long will I have to wear braces?
That depends upon your treatment plan. The more complicated your spacing or bite problem is, and the older you are, the longer the period of treatment, usually. Most patients can count on wearing full braces between 18 and 30 months, followed by the wearing of a retainer for at least a few months to set and align tissues surrounding straightened teeth.
Will treatment be uncomfortable?
The interconnecting wires are tightened at each visit, bearing mild pressure on the brackets or bands to shift teeth or jaws gradually into a desired position. Your teeth and jaws may feel slightly sore after each visit, but the discomfort is brief. Keep in mind also that some teeth may need to be extracted to make room for teeth being shifted with braces and for proper jaw alignment.
Do I have to avoid any foods or personal habits?
Yes. Cut down on sweets, chips, and pop. Sugary and starchy foods generate acids and plaque that can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease.
Cut healthy, hard foods like carrots or apples into smaller pieces. Sticky, chewy sweets like caramel can cause wire damage and loosen brackets. Avoid hard and crunchy snacks that can break braces, including popcorn, nuts and hard candy. More don'ts: ice cube chewing, thumb sucking, excessive mouth breathing, lip biting, and pushing your tongue against your teeth.
What about home care of my teeth with braces?
With braces, oral hygiene is more important than ever. Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped. Brush carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and check your teeth in the mirror to make sure they're clean. Take time to floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss threader. Have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy. Insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining around brackets or bands.
Who will provide my orthodontic treatment?
Your family general dentist is responsible for coordinating your dental treatment, and this could encompass any orthodontic treatment plan, including diagnosis, examinations and some orthodontic procedures. Your dentist may, however, refer you to an "orthodontist" - a specialist trained in the development, prevention and correction of irregularities of the teeth, bite and jaws, and related facial abnormalities.
Sources:
"A textbook of Orthodontics," by WJB Houston, et al., 1992;
"Orthodontic/Restorative Interface," Dental Update, June 1992;
"The Orthodontic Standard of Care," Bulletin, Oct/Nov 1992;
"Braces: Health or Beauty," Consumer Reports, Nov. 1992;
"Orthodontics: For the Growing Years," "Orthodontics: Keeping Your Smile Clean," American Dental Association, 1991;
"Orthodontics: Questions and Answers," CDA Journal, Nov. 1990;
"Change Your Smile," by Ronald E. Goldstein, DDS, 1988;
"The Role of Orthodontics in Comprehensive Dental Care," NYS Dental Journal, March 1986.
Tooth Eruption Chart
