Tag Archives: children’s dental care

Pediatric Dentistry

My Child’s Baby Teeth Aren’t Falling Out

My daughter has some adult teeth coming in, but the baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet. They do not even feel loose to me. Should I take her to the dentist in order to have them removed or just keep waiting? She’s never been to the dentist before. I’m afraid it will be scary if she does have to go in.

Deborah

Dear Deborah,

four children smiling

I am glad that you wrote. I know there is a tendency to think that a child doesn’t need a dentist, especially with baby teeth that will fall out anyway. Many parents have fallen into that same fallacy so don’t be too hard on yourself. Ideally, you want to bring your children in to see the dentist early, well before there are any problems. This way they start life thinking the dentist is fun.

But, the ideal does not always happen. When baby teeth are not coming out, and they won’t even wiggle, then it is time to bring them to the dentist. A dentist who works with children will be able to get those teeth out. If you leave the baby teeth in, then they’ll end up deflecting the adult teeth. That will lead to her needing expensive orthodontics, and the teeth will have to come out either way.

Because it won’t be a simple appointment, you may want to look for a dentist who offers some type of dental sedation. Generally a dentist can help prevent this before it becomes a problem but you are in management mode now.

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Pediatric Dentistry

When Should My Child Start Flossing?

My daughter is starting to get teeth and I have been brushing them, but am wondering when I should start flossing her teeth. She’s been cooperative so far, but I don’t know when I should start.

Kelly

Dear Kelly,

young boy smiling with toothbrush

It is amazing that you are so on top of this. I can tell that you are a great mom. I recommend you begin flossing as soon as her teeth start touching. You can get flavored floss. You’ll have to do it for her at first, until she has the manual dexterity to start doing it herself. They even have ones with handles to make it easier.

In case you are not already doing so, I would start bringing her to a pediatric dentist for check ups. Some parents make the mistake of thinking there is no reason to take a child to the dentist because their teeth are new and won’t have any problems. Then, they just keep with that attitude until, suddenly, there is a problem.

What that means is the first experience their child has with a dentist is for a dental problem or, worse, a dental emergency. Now, instead of having a nice visit with the dentist which is fun and exciting, it is more likely to be scary or painful. It’s always best to have your children start seeing the dentist as soon they develop teeth. This way, they associate the dentist with pleasant things instead of frightening ones.

You can read our dental tips for parents page in order to get more information on children’s dental care.
This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.
Click here to learn how she keeps dental care affordable.

Pediatric Dentistry

Do I Need to Get My Baby Tooth Pulled?

I have a baby tooth that never came out. Now I have an adult tooth that is sort of coming out just in front the baby tooth. Do I need to get it pulled? If so, will it hurt? I haven’t been to the dentist because my parents do not have a lot of money. I just need to know what to do and what to expect.

Emma

Dear Emma,

happy girl in a dental chair

I’m sorry you are faced figuring this out on your own. Yes, this baby tooth will have to come out. The good news is that baby teeth come out much more easily than adult teeth. If you don’t get it extracted, then the adult tooth is going to come in very crooked. If you go to a pediatric dentist, they are used to doing things for young children and will likely have ways of making things easier.

They should put a numbing medication on your gum before giving you the shot that numbs out the gums deeper into the tooth. Most people hardly notice. However, if your nervous, which you probably will be because you haven’t been to a dentist before, then ask them to give you some nitrous oxide. This is administered by a nose piece and it is a special medicine you just breathe in. It will relax you so that you won’t be tense during the numbing process.

So, your parents know, there are affordable dentists out there who are willing to work with patients in difficult financial situations. You may have your parents look some of them up and see if one of them is willing to work with you.

You may find that you have more work that needs to be done with your teeth, but don’t stress about that. You can have that done a little at a time.

I really appreciate your maturity and how you are proactive about taking care of your oral health. This type of responsible attitude will serve you well in many areas of your life.

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