Antioch Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Shelby J. Smith is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Pediatric Dentistry.


Q. When should parents take their children to have their first checkup?

A. Unless there is a concern at an earlier age, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first visit take place by age 1. As babies learn to walk and climb they often fall and injure their mouths. It’s such a comfort being able to reach your pediatric dentist immediately for advice. Finding someone you trust shouldn’t have to happen while your child is bleeding. At well baby visits, potential dental problems can be caught early and averted by simple parent education and instruction. Parents genuinely want to do the best for their children and we believe that if we empower and educate the parent, they will do everything they can to help their child be healthy.
 
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?

A. When they first come in, a baby’s teeth can be cleaned daily using your fingers and a damp washcloth, either at bedtime or during their bath. After the teeth have erupted a little more, a soft toothbrush with or without a smear of toothpaste can be used.

Q. What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist? 

A. Dental disease is the most common chronic childhood ailment – five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.  A pediatric dentist has 2-3 years of specialized training in child development and psychology and advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures. Children are not small adults so we are also trained in child-related oral pathology,  pharmacology and radiology, as well as in the management of oral/facial trauma, care for patients with special needs, and sedation. Family dentists, like general dentists, provide services related to the general maintenance of oral hygiene and tooth health. The terms family dentistry and general dentistry are often used interchangeably, though there is a slight difference between the two.
 
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?

A. If your child has a toothache you should contact your pediatric dentist for advice and/or examination. Sometimes the problem is as simple as a canker sore but a toothache can be a sign of serious dental disease which is potentially, though rarely, fatal.

Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?

A. What begins as a comforting and normal way to soothe an infant can develop into an expensive and persistent problem if it continues into toddlerhood or beyond. Thumbs and pacifier habits range in the amount of damage they do to a child’s mouth depending on the strength and duration of the sucking and whether it also develops a tongue thrust. The sucking action molds a child’s developing upper jaw around the thumb or pacifier, creating a high, narrow arch. The bone around the upper front teeth can get bent upward toward the nose, pushing the teeth outward with it. The jaw in the back narrows and the upper teeth no longer mesh with the lower, creating a crossbite which can skew the growth of the lower jaw as the child tries to find a comfortable place to bite. If left untreated into adolescence or adulthood, these conditions can require surgery to repair.
 
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?

A. Nursing is a wonderful and important part of being a mother and has so many benefits for the infant as well. However, nursing at night on demand after age 1 can cause dental decay. If a mother chooses to continue nursing after age 1, firstly we encourage her to be diligent in toothbrushing, especially at night. Secondly, she should not allow the child to remain "latched on" after they fall asleep which increases the frequency of nursing and therefore the exposure of the teeth to the sugars in breast milk. Finally, it is important to regularly take their child to the pediatric dentist to monitor for early signs of decay.
 
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?

A. Generally, we see patients twice a year unless there is a condition we need to follow on a more regular basis.

Q. How to contact Dr. Smith if we have further questions?    

A.
Address:
2213 Buchanan Rd, Suite 112
Antioch, CA 94509
Phone: 925-755-5115
Fax: 925-755-5003
Email: drshelby@drshelby.com
Website: drshelby.com