A pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training in addition to the normal four years of dental education. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, monitoring their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should visit a pediatric dentist when his or her first teeth erupt on the lower front (around age 6 months).

Teething, the process of baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into the mouth, is variable among individual babies. Some babies get their teeth early and some get them late. In general the first baby teeth are usually the lower front (anterior) teeth and usually begin erupting between the ages of four to eight months.

Because your child’s teeth will be going through bone and gum tissue at a very slow rate; irritability, crying and drooling will be a common occurrence. Unexplained diarrhea and mild fevers are also very common.

During the early months while the first teeth erupt 4 on the top front and 4 on the bottom front you can use a strip of cloth with a touch of non fluoridated toothpaste to wipe off plaque 2 times a day in the morning and at night. When the molars in the back start to erupt you can move to a finger brush or a very soft tooth brush (run in warm water to soften bristles) and use the same toothpaste until your child begins to show complete removal of toothpaste from the mouth. Once you are sure your child is removing all of the toothpaste (spitting out) then you can begin to use fluoridated toothpaste. Use only a half of a pea size toothpaste amount.

In general any foods that contain sucrose (sugar) will cause tooth decay. Some unexpected foods include chocolate/strawberry milk, juices, fruit snacks, kids and adult cereal. Tooth decay is the result of chronic acid attack which is a byproduct of sucrose digestion by the bacteria that live on our teeth. Acid is a by product of sugar digestion by the bacteria.

Brush 2 times a day once in the morning and once at night. Floss at least 2 times a week with waxed floss. If your child has a snack before bedtime make sure he or she brushes again. Do not send your child to bed with any substance other than pure water if a bottle is necessary. (Watered down juice is just as harmful as regular juice)

General anesthesia is a state of total unconsciousness resulting from general anesthetic drugs. This type of anesthesia can only be performed in a hospital operating room by an anesthesiologist.

Patients who need complete oral rehabilitation involving complex treatment, as well as those who are not able to handle treatment under normal office conditions. Therefore, patients with special needs are good candidates for general anesthesia. Parents of patients who wish to have all treatment completed in one visit; and patients who may have health problems, may also want to consider general anesthesia.

Please contact our office to check for eligibility with your insurance. All forms will be provided for you here at the office with instructions.

Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick NJ. Please visit their website at www.rwjuh.edu.

During an initial visit or consultation visit, you and the doctor will discuss the pros and cons of both forms of treatment and will then choose the best for your child.

You should plan on being with your child for the rest of the day after treatment. Some children go back to normal activities by the afternoon but most children sleep for the remainder of the day. They will need your supervision. Postoperative discomfort is minor and can be taken care of with Tylenol.

Plan on being at the hospital between 3 to 4 hours from beginning to end. Also, plan on bringing someone with you so that your child can be supervised during the ride home.

Conscious sedation is a way of using medication to relax a child without the loss of consciousness. Children with severe anxiety and/or the inability to relax are candidates for sedation.

Conscious sedation aids in calming a child so that he/she can accept dental treatment in a more relaxed state. This can help prevent injury to the patient and provide a better environment for treatment.

Many different agents can be used for conscious sedation, from inhalation agents to medications provided orally or by injection. None of these sedative render the child unconscious. Your pediatric dentist will discuss sedation recommendations. Pediatric dentists are trained to administer, monitor, and manage sedated patients. Your pediatric dentist will discuss sedation options and procedures with you.

To alleviate potential anxiety, your pediatric dentist may recommend minimal discussion of the dental appointment with the child. Should your child become ill, contact your pediatric dentist. It may be necessary to choose to arrange another appointment. It is important not to have a meal before a sedation appointment. Your pediatric dentist will inform you about food and fluid intake guidelines prior to the sedation appointment.

Children who have been sedated are usually requested to return home for the remainder of the day with appropriate supervision. Your pediatric dentist will discuss post-sedation instructions with you, including appropriate diet, physical activity, and requested supervision.