Preventative Care

 

Sealants

 

What are sealants?

Sealants protect the pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They are made of a tooth-colored resin and are placed on a healthy tooth to prevent a cavity from forming.

 

How do sealants work?

The grooves in permanent molars are narrow and deep. Food and bacteria build up in these areas, placing the tooth in danger of decay. Sealant material flows into these grooves sealing them off to food and bacteria. This helps decrease the risk of decay in the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.

 

How long do sealants last?

Research shows that sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects (ice, pencils, pens), sealants will last longer. Dr. Tiffany will check the sealants during routine dental visits and we will reapply or repair when necessary.

 

What is treatment like?

The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. It takes only one visit. The tooth is first cleaned and dried. The sealant material flows into the grooves of the tooth and is hardened with a blue light. Your child will be able to eat immediately after the appointment.

 

If my child has sealants, is a cavity still possible?

Your child needs to brush and floss to keep the plaque from all surfaces. The tooth can still get a cavity in between from not flossing where a sealant doesn’t cover. The same plaque that causes cavities can eat through a sealant if left there for long periods of time. That’s why good brushing and regular dental visits are so important to be sure the sealants do their job.

Here are some important things that you as parents can do to help ensure the long-term success of sealants:

 

1) Supervise good brushing habits.  Poor oral hygiene can affect the sealants.  The acids produced by plaque can etch them, causing sealants to break down over time.

 

2) Sticky foods (fruit snacks, gummy candy, caramel, taffy, etc.) can pull some or all of the sealant off the tooth.

 

3) Avoid chewing on ice and other hard items. This habit can chip the sealants.

 

Your child’s sealants are checked at every recall appointment to ensure they are effective.

 

If we work together, we can help your child's sealants last for years!

 

 

Silver Diamine Fluoride

 

What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?

It is a FDA-approved antibiotic liquid applied to active dental decay to prevent further progression of the disease.

 

How does Silver Diamine Fluoride Work?

It is composed of 2 primary components: silver and fluoride.  Silver acts as an anti-microbial agent that strengthens the protective layer of the tooth called dentin.  Fluoride is the active ingredient that helps stop the tooth decay and prevents additional decay from appearing.

 

What are the Benefits of Silver Diamine Fluoride?

It is effective for children who have difficulty cooperating for treatment.  It is an alternative treatment for children whom may be too young for in office sedation.  It can also be beneficial for special needs patients.

 

Post Care for Silver Diamine Fluoride

 

1. The cavity will change color to black.  This means the treatment is stopping the cavity.  Healthy tooth enamel will not be stained.

 

2. If Silver diamine fluoride touches the skin or gums, they may turn dark.  The stain will not harm the patient and should go away with in 1-3 weeks.

 

3. After the Silver diamine fluoride treatment, your child can eat and drink normally.

 

4. Return to routine brushing and flossing 4-6 hours after application.

 

5. Silver Diamine Fluoride is placed in 3 separate office visits.  The above instructions apply to all visits.

 

 

Print your child's tooth chart to make brushing easy and fun!

 Restorative

 

Nitrous Oxide Analgesia

 

What is nitrous oxide/oxygen?

Nitrous oxide/oxygen (often called “Laughing Gas”) is a blend of 2 gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. When inhaled, it is absorbed by the body and has a calming effect. Normal breathing eliminates nitrous oxide/oxygen from the body.

 

How will my child feel when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen?

Your child will feel calm and relaxed. Your child will be fully awake while inhaling the nitrous oxide.

 

How safe is nitrous oxide/oxygen?

It is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is mild, easily taken then quickly eliminated from the body

 

Are there any lingering effects or special care after nitrous oxide/oxygen?

No. All the nitrous oxide is completely out of your child’s system by the time the appointment is over. At the end of the appointment the child is given 100% oxygen to breathe for 5 minutes. After the appointment no special care is required.

 

Are there special instructions prior to having nitrous oxide/oxygen?

Tell Dr. Tiffany and/or her staff about any respiratory condition that makes breathing through the nose difficult for your child. Also tell us of any medications your child may be taking.

 

 

Resin vs. Amalgam

 

Dr. Tiffany uses composite resin filling material whenever indicated. Southern Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is an amalgam-(silver) free dental practice. Resin restorations have many advantages over amalgam fillings. Resin restorations require a smaller preparation, which means removing less tooth structure. Resin restorations are more technique-sensitive than amalgam fillings and require more care when placing them. We feel your child is worth this extra effort! We base all of our treatment on what is best for your child and not on specific dental insurance coverage. Your insurance may not cover resin fillings at the same level as amalgam fillings.

 

Post Care for Resin or Temporary Fillings:

Your child has had dental caries removed and the tooth/teeth repaired.  Please review the instructions indicated below to help your child have a successful post-operative experience.

 

Dental anesthesia:

The area of the mouth will be numb for approximately 1-3 hours after treatment.  Supervision is recommended to help prevent your child from biting, sucking, scratching, or injuring the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time.   Orange juice or tomato soup can aid in decreasing the numbness.

 

Resin composite (tooth colored filling) restorations:

Composite fillings are strong; however several things can shorten their life.  Please help your child avoid using their teeth to tear into packages and biting on toys.  Consistent chewing on hard sticky foods (sugary gums, laffy taffy, jolly ranchers, etc) can also affect the life of the fillings.

 

Temporary filling:

This restoration is placed to allow the tooth some time to recover from injury or decrease sensitivity if a large cavity is present.  A permanent restoration will be done at a later date.  Your child will be asked to avoid hard sticky foods (sugary gums, laffy taffy, jolly ranchers, etc).

 

 

Stainless Steel Crowns

 

Dr. Tiffany follows the recommendation for use of stainless steel crowns as set by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). These guidelines are the following:

 

1. If a pulpotomy (nerve treatment) is indicated.

 

2. The tooth has such a large area of decay making the remaining tooth structure insufficient to hold a traditional filling.

 

3. A tooth that has formed incorrectly or has fractured.

 

The stainless steel crowns are the best treatment for your child, when indicated. If a filling were to be done on the tooth after Dr. Tiffany recommended a stainless steel crown, the filling could fail. Your child might need to have the tooth retreated in the future (which might not be covered by your insurance) or extracted. In most cases, the stainless steel crown should last until the tooth comes out naturally.

 

Post Care for a Stainless steel crown or tooth colored crown:

 

Dental anesthesia:

The area of the mouth will be numb for approximately 1-3 hours after treatment.  Supervision is recommended to help prevent your child from biting, sucking, scratching, or injuring the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time.   Orange juice or tomato soup can aid in decreasing the numbness.

 

Crowns:

Crowns are cemented to tooth and should not come off until tooth is lost naturally (if baby tooth). Please help your child avoid sticky foods and candies (fruit snacks, sugary gums, laffy taffy, jolly ranchers, etc). This is important as long as the crown is present.  Please call our office if the crown comes off the tooth.

 

 

Pulpotomy

 

The pulp of a tooth contains the blood supply and nerves. A healthy pulp is ideal, but if it is sick, medicine needs to be placed to maintain the vitality of the tooth.

 

Tooth decay and trauma are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a nerve treatment, baby root canal, pulpectomy, or pulpotomy. The two common forms of pulp therapy in children’s teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

 

 

Post Care Instructions for Extractions

 

Your child has had a tooth/teeth extracted.  Please review the instructions indicated below to help your child have a successful post-operative experience.

 

Dental anesthesia:

The area of the mouth will be numb for approximately 1-3 hours after treatment.  Supervision is recommended to help prevent your child from biting, sucking, scratching, or injuring the cheek, lips, or tongue during this time.   Orange juice or tomato soup can aid in decreasing the numbness.

 

Bleeding:

Bleeding was controlled prior to your child leaving our office. Some occasional oozing (pink or blood-tinged saliva) may occur. Hold gauze with firm pressure against extraction site until oozing has stopped.  If active bleeding continues for more than 2 hours please call the office.

 

Oral Hygiene:

Keeping the mouth clean is essential.  Resume regular brushing and flossing routine.

 

Diet:

Patient can resume normal diet once numbness has worn off.  Encourage fluid intake.

 

Pain:

If necessary, ibuprofen (Advil®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) may be taken.

 

 

Space Maintenance

 

Why do children lose their baby teeth?

A baby tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose a baby tooth too soon due to an accident or disease. When a tooth is lost too early, Dr. Tiffany may recommend a space maintainer to prevent future space loss and dental problems.

 

Why are baby teeth important?

Baby teeth are important to your child’s present and future dental health. They encourage normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. They save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. Remember: Some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 years old. Space maintainers are so important, in fact, that most insurance companies will pay 100% for them.

 

What are space maintainers?

Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by a prematurely lost tooth. They steady the remaining teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position in the jaw. It’s more affordable-and easier on your child-to keep teeth in normal position with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.

 

Post Care for Space Maintainers:

 

1. NO sticky candy or chewing gum.

 

2. NO tugging or pushing on space maintainer with your tongue or fingers.

 

3. Keep it brushed and flossed like directed.

 

4. Most important, continue with routine dental care.