Birmingham Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Jonathan C. Curtis 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. The newest guidelines suggest all children should see a dentist either 6 months after their first tooth erupts into their mouth or by their first birthday.  These guidelines are meant to reduce the number of children seen at 2-4 years of age with early childhood caries, a condition that affects a significant percentage of children.  ECC usually requires children to be treated in a hospital setting under anesthesia.  So, early intervention is a great way to avoid this problem.
 
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?

A. Ideally, a soft toothbrush should be used to clean a child’s teeth.  Before a child’s first birthday, no fluoride should be used on the toothbrush.  However, after their first birthday, a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used.  For infants who are still feeding multiple times a day, wiping the child’s mouth out with a soft, damp cloth after feedings will greatly reduce the likelihood of cavities developing.
 
Q. What is a Pediatric Dentist?

A. Baby teeth are very different from adult teeth and require special treatment and care--this is where pediatric dentists come into play.  A pediatric dentist is a dentist who, after graduating from 4 years of dental school, completes a 2-3 year residency where they learn to treat the unique needs of infants, children, and teens.  Also, all pediatric dentists treat children with special needs and many continue to treat these patients well into their adult years.
 
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?

A. Ideally, they should call their child’s dentist.  Most pediatric dentists will have after hours answering services so they may be reached.  If a pediatric dentist cannot be reached, they should take their child to the emergency room of the nearest hospital, if children’s Tylenol or Motrin are not controlling the pain.  If pain control is working, the parents should contact a dentist as soon as possible the next day, as dental pain can be a symptom of an infection that, if left untreated, can cause very serious medical problems.
 
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?

A. Pacifier and thumb habits can be very destructive to a child’s mouth if left unchecked for too long.  Ideally, all pacifier and thumb habits should be stopped by 2-3 years of age.  If they continue, a condition known as an "open-bite" can occur, whereby the child’s front teeth no longer overlap properly.  This disallows the child to bite into food properly and will affect the esthetics of the child’s smile permanently if left untreated.  If these habits are stopped by 2-3 years of age, the child’s natural growth will correct most, if not all, of the open-bite problem.
 
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?

A. The act of nursing will not cause decay by itself.  What can cause ECC is when a child is transitioning from nursing to table food and oral hygiene is not maintained.  When any substance is left in a child’s mouth for too long, the bacteria in the child’s mouth use that food or milk or formula as their food.  The by-product of their metabolism is acid.  It is this acid that will destroy a young child’s teeth very quickly.  These bacteria live in the plaque on our teeth.  That is why oral hygiene is of the utmost importance in infants and young children who are still nursing.  Using a soft damp cloth or a soft toothbrush to clean an infant’s mouth after feedings will help keep the teeth plaque-free, and therefore cavity-free.  For older children, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day will greatly reduce their risk of getting cavities.
 
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?

A. All children should see their dentist two times a year, or every 6 months.  Children need to follow this routine even more so than adults, as baby teeth are much more fragile and cavity-prone than adult teeth.  Baby teeth can get cavities in 6 months or less, whereas adult teeth take 2-3 years to form cavities, on average.

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

A.
Address:
141 Narrows Drive
Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: 205-408-8889
Fax: 205-408-8187
Email: drcurtis@cvpd.com
Website: http://www.cvpd.com/home.asp