About Mini Tooth

A pediatric dentist has extra 2-3 years training in school to see infants, children, adolescents up to 18 years old, and special needed patients in all ages. Pediatric dentists not only specialize in diagnosing and treating dental disease, but also focus on jaw growth development. It is important to establish good experiences for kids in dental office when they are young, and these dentists are trained in behavioral guidance suited to young patients. Preventive dentistry is important and pediatric dentists provide anticipatory guidance to parents and patients.

Primary dentition, or baby teeth, would erupt around age 5-12. Front teeth usually come out at younger ages, around 6-8, but primary molars will stay till 9-12 years old. Baby teeth also play an important role to maintain space for permanent teeth eruption, speech development, eating and nutrition. A patient who does not have primary molars or gets extraction might need longer time in braces to adjust the alignment in the future. Baby teeth also present the opportunity to develop and practice a lifetime of oral hygiene.

Dental sealants are often made with resin filler, which is similar to filling material. Sealants create a physical barrier on top of teeth with grooves and pits, and most of time in the molars area. They are similar to nail polish and don’t last a life time. However, studies show sealants reduce risk of cavities risk at year 1, and 58% at year 4. Since most young kids are not able to brush molars area well, sealants provide a protective coating on top and would be easier to brush in the area. Pits and fissure sealants do not completely prevent decay, and patients are still required to maintain good oral hygiene.

Yes, start brushing with a soft toothbrush when your infant has his or her first tooth. Wipe the gums before tooth eruption.  The American Academy Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends brush teeth with rice-size amount for children less than 1, and pea-size for children age 3-6 twice a day. Parents should assist kids in brushing until they are around 9 years old.

Dental cavities are most common chronic disease for kids. The American Academy Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends first dental visit before age 1 or after 1st tooth eruption. Children have lower dental cavities rate with routine dental check up (at least every 6 months) and preventive care. Establish kids dental home since infant is important and develop less dental cavities in permanent teeth.

Studies show possible toxic dose is 5mg/kg fluoride for human; however, daily brushing 2x a day with small amount of fluoride is in the safe range. Fluoride could increase the strength of enamel structure and lower the chance for dental decay. 

There are different chemicals that lower dental cavities rate, like xylitol and hydroxyapatite. 

• Xylitol is a sugar alcohol was used in diet of diabetic patients. A recent study showed xylitol lowered the incidence of caries and improved oral health. 
• Hydroxyapatite is a chemical that could promote teeth mineralization process. It is also the main component of enamel that strengthens and protects teeth from decay and erosion. Xylitol toothpaste and Hydroxyapatite toothpaste are alternatives to fluoride toothpaste

• Have your child gently bite on the gauze over the extraction site until the saliva turns light pink instead of red.
• Give only cold, soft foods right after treatment (for example: ice cream, popsicles, etc).
• Do not use a straw for the rest of the day.
• If needed, give pain medicine such as Tylenol, exactly as directed.
• Avoid hot foods and avoid chewing on that side for at least one hour after treatment.

It is important to take kids to see dentist when there’s of sign of infection. Primary teeth infection could be caused from decay, history of trauma or gum abscess. Dental infection could be painful and can spread to adjacent tooth, face, brain or cause life-threatening problem if untreated. It could also damage the permanent teeth development.  The permanent tooth could be discolorated or deformation with the infection.

Primary teeth are usually smaller compared to permanent teeth.  A lot of time, genetic played an important role.  If parents have small jaws, their kids most of time would have similar facial feature.   If a child has a small jaw, permanent teeth could not have enough space and cause crowded teeth. There are also other factors could cause crooked teeth. If a child looses baby tooth from cavity, infection or trauma and permanent teeth are not ready to erupt, the adjacent teeth will shift to the empty space and prevent underneath permanent teeth from erupting correctly. If a kid used to suck their thumb, use a pacifier, or encounter tongue thrusting, it could cause narrow upper jaw and adult teeth would be out of alignment. Growth development also plays an important role. If upper and lower jaws do not grow simultaneously, it could cause bite problem. If kid has hard time wiggle baby teeth and adult teeth is about to erupt, the adult tooth would find its way to erupt and cause buccal/lingual eruption of the alignment.

Studies show a small amount of fluoride is a safe and effective component to decrease risk of caries.

Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. They affect your child’s confidence, smile, speech, eating, and overall growth and development. Taking good care of baby teeth also builds strong oral hygiene habits that carry over when permanent teeth come in.

Many parents assume children lose all their baby teeth around ages 6–8, but most baby molars stay in place until ages 9–12. Keeping them healthy helps guide proper spacing, jaw development, and future alignment of permanent teeth.

It is common for kids to grind their teeth during sleep. It is often caused by stress, less muscle control, medical conditions, or misaligned teeth. Most of the time, it is harmless and patients usually outgrow it. Sometimes reducing electronic use before bedtime and applying a warm towel to the cheek muscles may decrease grinding. When patients have all permanent teeth and your child is still grinding during sleep, the doctor may make a night guard to protect the permanent teeth.

How to reduce bedtime grinding?

• Calming time before sleep
• Massage jaw before bed
• Avoid chewing gum before sleep
• Limit cafeine like chcolate, soda, tea after late afternoon
• Reduce screen time 60 mins before sleep

Nitrous oxide is a chemical compound commonly known as laughing gas. It is a commonly used inhaled sedative in dental offices to lower patient anxiety. It has a fast onset and fast offset, allowing patients to return to school or daily activities after dental treatment with nitrous oxide.

Vomiting is the most common side effect of nitrous oxide. Children do not need to have an empty stomach for 8 hours; however, Dr. Ava recommends not eating for 90 minutes prior to the appointment. Dairy products such as milk may increase the risk of vomiting and stomach upset during treatment, so no milk or dairy products should be consumed before treatment.

If the patient is hungry before a dental appointment with nitrous oxide, a small amount of food such as 1–5 crackers or a small piece of bread is acceptable. It is important to let your dentist know what your child ate before dental treatment.

Nitrous oxide is safe when it is administered by certified doctors. Excessive use could lead to serious problems. Dr. Ava is a board-certified pediatric dentist and is well trained in the use of nitrous oxide for children and teenagers.

Before Nitrous Oxide

• No milk or dairy products 90-120 minutess prior to treatment
• No big meals before treatment
• No respiratory problems

Studies showed that a small amount of fluoride tooth paste for under 3 years old is safe.