Category Archives: Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

Should My Preschooler See A Pediatric Dentist for Teeth Grinding?

I planned on waiting until my daughter was in elementary school to bring her to the dentist. She is a little (lot) on the hyperactive side and I didn’t want to drive a dentist batty. However, I’m worried I need a change of plans. I went into her bedroom the other night to put some of her clothes away. She was sound asleep, but was grinding her teeth like crazy. Is this normal?

Adrianne L – Oregon

Adrianne,

I have a mixed message for you. First, this is perfectly normal. Many children grind their teeth and many children outgrow it. But, here’s the mixed message. I still think you need to change your plan and take your daughter to a dentist.

I realize she’s an active child, but dentists who enjoy working with children are perfectly comfortable with that. They have means of helping children with their wiggles.

You want your daughter’s first experience with the dentist to be a pleasant one. If you wait until her elementary years (and here you’re assuming/wishing her hyperactive side will just fade away), she’s likely to develop a cavity and her first experience with the dentist will be much more scary than it needs to be.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

My pediatric dentist refuses to make a dental flipper

I need some advice. My pediatric dentist absolutely refuses to make a dental flipper for my son.  He’s three years old and lost a front baby tooth in an accident. I keep hearing how important it is to replace missing teeth in children because of shifting, but my dentist absolutely refuses. She says toddlers can’t do the procedure. I think she just can’t be bothered working with him because he’s so young. But, why did she go into pediatric dentistry then?

Brooklyn L. – Minn.

Brooklyn,

I wish your dentist had a better chairside manner and took the time to explain things for you. It is only a child’s molars that require some form of replacement. Otherwise it could cause shifting as you mentioned. That is because molars aren’t replaced until around twelve years old. Permanent front teeth come in much sooner.

However, even with molars a pediatric dentist wouldn’t make a flipper for the missing tooth. Instead, they’d place a space maintainer. That just holds the space so things come in properly when it’s time.

Despite her poor manners toward you, she’s right that a toddler wouldn’t easily tolerate the procedure for a flipper. Plus, because they’re so easily removable, they’re a choking hazard.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

 

Pediatric Dentistry

What Happened to my son’s tooth?

When my son was three, he took a tumble and bumped his face. He was upset and cut his lip, but his teeth looked fine, so I didn’t even consider taking him to the pediatric dentist back then. Here we are six months later and his tooth is turning an ugly gray color. At first, I thought it was just come kind of staining, but I have scrubbed at it to no avail and it looks like the whole thing is colored. I know in an adult this means the tooth is dead, but my son doesn’t seem bothered by it at all unless I’m messing with it. I think this must be connected to the fall, but I don’t understand why it would take so long to develop- he’s four now. I’m kicking myself for not taking him to the pediatric dentist back then. Could this have been prevented? Going forward, do I need to book him with a pediatric dentist, a root canal specialist, or should I just monitor for more symptoms?

Thanks,

Delilah

Dear Delilah,

It does sound like that tooth has died. When a tooth is injured, it can start to look like a bruise is developing from the inside. This may be from the fall he experienced earlier or from an unrelated incident. It’s not always easy to tell with small kids. Moreover, a dead or dying tooth doesn’t always cause pain. It just depends on what happened with the nerve. Taking him to the pediatric dentist right after the fall would not have prevented this from happening. The damage was instantaneous and even if it wasn’t killed right away, nothing could have stopped the progression.

At a certain point, baby teeth begin the process of resorption, in which the body starts diminishing the roots in order for the tooth to fall out. The pulp fades away naturally at this point anyway, and your son could be getting to that stage. With an adult, there’s concern over bacteria entering the chamber and creating an infection, which is why a root canal is necessary. The dentist cleans out the canal, and then fills the space so bacteria can’t seep in and cause a problem.

Given that your son will probably lose the tooth naturally in the next couple of years, you may not need to treat the tooth at all. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on it and if you’re worried about anything, you can have it checked out by the pediatric dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Questions from a child

Hi my name is Neil and I’m going to the dentist for the first time. I had some questions and my mom said the best thing to do would be to ask a dentist. So, she’s typing my questions to you.

  1. Will it hurt?
  2. What happens if my teeth ever get twisted?
  3. What happens if my teeth look like a cows? (My mom doesn’t want to ask this one, but I made her promise).

Thanks, Neil

Hi Neil,

Great questions! (Even the one about the cow).

  1. Usually children’s dentist appointments don’t hurt, especially first ones. The dentist just checks out that your teeth are growing in healthy. A special helper called a hygienist will give your teeth a gentle cleaning and take off any bacteria. Most children like going to the dentist.  (Some even give treats at the end of the appointment)
  2. If your teeth come in twisted, your dentist will suggest that when you’re old enough you get braces. Those gently fix your teeth into their proper position.
  3. Hmmm….that’s a new question for me.  I think if you had cow’s teeth (and didn’t like them), when you were old enough you could get them to look different with porcelain veneers.

I hope you really enjoy your first dental appointment. I bet it will be awesome!!!

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Does a child really need a filling?

My four year old has a cavity. The dentist wants to fill it. Why, when he’s just going to lose it anyway?

Becky K. – Texax

Becky,

Much of that will depend on the type of tooth. If the cavity is small and on a tooth that is already quite loose then, yes, let nature take it’s course. But, if it is a tooth that’s going to be there for a while, especially one like a molar, than your pediatric dentist is right and it does need to be filled.

The cavity will spread and then become an abscess. IT might seem scary to give your four year old a filling, but that will be much less traumatic and painful than waiting until infection is set in and then he needs a pulpotomy.

If it is a molar and he ends up losing it, make sure your dentist puts a space maintainer there so his teeth don’t shift.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dentist wants to do sedation on my child

I’m a little concerned. My daughter has very pitted molars which is causing cavities. My dentist needs to treat the cavities, I understand that, but am concerned that isn’t safe. If it were your daughter, what would you do?

Olivia N. – Destin, FL

Olivia,

First, I want to put your mind at ease. If the dentist is qualified to do sedation, then it is perfectly safe.  If takes a little extra training, so make sure they have it.  The reason for using it is that if the child moves or is uncooperative, then the drill can do serious damage to her. The sedation is to protect her.

I have another question, I’d like to have answered before you continue with this pediatric dentist. If your daughter has pitted molars, why hasn’t he suggested dental sealants. Those little molars can be a bacteria magnet and it’s important to keep them healthy for much longer than the rest of her baby teeth.  It bothers me that this seems to have been overlooked.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Dental Flipper for a two year old?

My two year old lost his front teeth in a play yard accident. I went to a pediatric dentist and asked about a dental flipper until his new teeth come in, but he just blew me off and said that wasn’t possible. When I asked him why, he said because he was the dentist and knows better. Am I just supposed to take his word for it? Won’t his teeth shift, leading to crowding?

Leila K. – New Jersey

Leila,

The arrogance you just described is one of my least favorite qualities in some medical professionals. Yes, he’s the dentist. Yes, he has knowledge you’re unaware of. But, YOU are the parent and have a right to know all you treatment options for your child and why some won’t work well.

Despite his rude behavior, the pediatric dentist was right. A dental flipper is not a good fit for a two year old. Here’s why.

First, a dental flipper is removable and would be a choking hazzard. Then, there is the issue of getting a toddler to cooperate keeping it in.

Additionally, at that age, their mouth is growing so quickly that there is no way to keep in an appliance that is attached by clipping in.

You won’t have to worry about these teeth being out, either functionally or socially. At this age, kids aren’t thrown by missing teeth. Plus, the only ones that will cause shifting is when the back teeth come out prematurely.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Do I have to see a pediatric dentist for a thumb sucking device?

I am considering switching from a pediatric dentist to a dentist that can see our whole family.  It’s just so inconvenient going to two different clinics and time is a precious commodity in our household.  My only hesitation is that my five year old sucks her thumb.  Her pediatric detist feels she needs to have a thumb sucking device made.  Can a general dentist do that or should I stick with the pediatric one?

Amanda A. – Kansas City

Amanda,

A lot of patients find dthat having their family go to the same dentist is not only convenient, but helps with treatment in the long run. This helps the dentist to see patterns in your family’s dental health that will benefit your children.

You’ll want to make sure it is a general dentist who enjoys treating children.  You can generally tell by when they like to first see them.  If they suggest waiting until they are 8 or 9, you can extrapolate that children aren’t their favorite.  If they’re happy to see them by three years old, you’ve found someone who’ll enjoy treating your darlings.

Any dentist can help fit your five year old with a thumb sucking device, so you’re good to go there.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck

Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentist insists my children have separate appointments

I have twin three year old boys.  They’re not naughty, but they do have a lot of energy can have trouble sititng through an entire appointment. My dentist said I have to bring them seperately so I can give my full attention to the child he’s treating.  He expects them to sit there and not ask questions or talk.  I feel not only is this unrealistic, but it is not feasible for me. I can’t spent twice the time with dental appointments and pay for a sitter every time.  Is this really what is to be expected with dental appointments? These are my first children and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.

Orianna K. – New Mexico

Orianna,

Three year olds generally can’t sit for a complete appointment like adults can, but every dentist has different ideas as to how they want to run things. My initial thought is that this is not the best pediatric dentist for your family.

You’ll want one who is comfortable working with young, wiggly patients. It doesn’t just have to be a pediatric specialist. It could also be a general dentist who loves working with children.  They’re completely qualified to meet the dental needs of your children.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Pediatric Dentistry

Does a child’s molar HAVE to be removed?

My son has an infected molar.  The dentist is recommending it be extracted. Is that necessary before they even try a treatment?

Olivia M. – Massachusetts

Olivia,

Adult tooth infections can often be treated with a root canal.  children’s teeth can sometimes be treated with a similar procedure called a pulpotomoy. However, with molars this never works.  If the tooth is infected it will have to be extracted.

Make sure your pediatric dentist also places a space maintainer where the tooth was.  It will be many years until his adult molar comes in.  You don’t want his teeth tipping or shifting into that place.  It will cause crowding and other orthodonitic problems later on.

You also don’t want to leave the infection.  It will spread and cause other serious problems.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentists Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.