Dr.Kevin Kizer 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 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, and The American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend a child having a "dental home" by 12 months of age. As many times dental problems develop early and insidiously, it is wise to have a child seen by a dentist by one year of age. That way, many issues can be handled before they become problems. How often I take kids to the hospital for full-mouth dental work at age two and think to myself how preventable this problem was if only the parent knew what to look for and was educated about habits that help prevent dental disease!
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?
A. A toothbrush! "See a tooth, brush a tooth," we say. Actually, even before teeth erupt, it is a good idea to use a soft, damp cloth to wipe a child’s gums after nursing. This not only cleans the mouth, but it also teaches from the earliest of age that cleaning our mouth is "just part of life--no big deal." That way introducing a toothbrush won’t be a traumatic change. When the toothbrush is introduced, toothpaste isn’t necessary. But there are tasty "teeth and gum cleansers" on the market that help clean as well as make it pleasant. When brushing, be gentle but thorough--don’t forget to brush the sides, backs, and gumlines of the teeth! Some infants may have particularly high risks and rates of decay, and may need fluoride at an early age. A pediatric dentist can help determine this. There are also some other products that help clean an infant’s teeth and gums which a dentist can recommend.
Q. What is a Pediatric Dentist?
A. Pediatric Dentist is a dental specialist who has extra training in the treatment of kids. Just like a Pediatrician has completed a special residency in treatment of children, a Pediatric Dentist has completed a two-year residency after dental school to learn the intricacies of dental care for kids. Pediatric psychology, growth and development, and orthodontics are all different from that of adults.
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?
A. A toothache can be caused by several things, including trauma, decay, or even tooth-grinding. Without getting too complicated, if a child complains of tooth pain, look inside the mouth and see if there is any decay. If there is, a visit to the dentist should be made very soon. If none can be seen, it doesn’t mean that no decay is there. It might be between the teeth or in some other spot that cannot be visualized. Also look at the cheeks near the site of pain. The cause may be nothing more than a canker sore. Pain from recent trauma to a tooth is another reason for making an appointment with a dentist. No matter what the cause (even tooth-grinding), an anti-inflammatory pain reliever (like Ibuprofen) is the first medicine to take. Of course, pain with facial swelling is a dental emergency.
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?
A. They can be. Non-nutritive sucking, as these habits are called, is quite normal. Such habits do not usually cause dental problems, but they most certainly can.
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?
A. Be careful and watchful. While it is obviously not the entire cause of early childhood dental decay, nursing is at least a risk factor. Most kids can nurse without any problems, but some kids develop early and rampant decay. Obviously the latter are, for whatever reason, at a greater risk of getting decay. The problem is, you can’t know who the "risky" kids are until it is too late and dental problems have begun. For this reason, I recommend treating all kids as if they are at risk for dental decay. Therefore, nurse on a schedule. At-will nursing is, dentally, a risk factor. Stop night-time feeding as soon as possible. Always, especially when sleeping, clean a baby’s teeth with a moist cloth, after nursing. Also, like I mentioned above, there are a few products that can be purchased to help cleaning an infant’s teeth after nursing. Finally, examine an infant’s teeth regularly. If white, chalky-looking spots start to develop, especially along the gumline or in-between teeth, a problem may be starting. In this case, see a dentist right away.
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A. After the first visit (remember, by age one), your dentist will recommend a schedule. Because baby teeth are small and have thinner enamel, and because children are growing and changing rapidly, I recommend that kids be seen at least every six months. Some kids, with higher than average decay rate and risk, I see three times per year.
Q. How to contact Dr. Kizer if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
349 West Iowa Avenue
Nampa, ID 83686
Phone: (208) 467-5100
Fax: (208) 467-5199
Email: drkizer@idahochildrensdentistry.com
Website: www.idahochildrensdentistry.com
