Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Lisa G. Richardson on Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Lisa G. Richardson is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Pediatric Dentistry.
Q. When should parents take their children for their first check-up?
A. When the first tooth comes in the mouth! Why so early? We begin helping parents with nutrition, oral habit detection and prevention, and learning how to brush an infants teeth! We can also begin following growth and development early on to be prepared for any orthodontic concerns that may arise later. Also, an early dental home provides the parent and child a familiarity with the doctor, staff, and office. This really helps in making a comfortable environment as the patient ages!
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?
A. When the teeth first come in, a washcloth or very soft infant brush can be used to clean the teeth and the gums. The American Academy Of Pediatric Dentistry now recommends a "smear" of fluoride toothpaste can be utilized also as soon as the first tooth comes in versus waiting until the child is 2 years of age. The smear method is taking a half pea size of toothpaste and placing it on your finger and "smearing it" across the teeth. This ensures only a small amount is used and prevents the child from swallowing it. You can then brush and/or wipe the teeth and easily remove any excess toothpaste. Many of our patients drink bottled water or have well water in their community. Bottled and well water are void of fluoride, so many children have a very low exposure to fluoride naturally, which has given a rise in dental decay. You may purchase fluoride children’s water in the baby section of most grocery stores which will aid in correct enamel development of your child’s teeth!
Q. What is the difference between a family dentist and a pediatric dentist?
A. A pediatric dentist has specialty training for 2 years past dental school graduation. During that time, we are trained specifically to understand the growth and development of a child from infancy to young adulthood. We are also specialty trained in the field of sedation and hospital dentistry, which allows us to safely offer these routes of treatment when needed. Handicapped and special needs dentistry is also a facet of our training which gives us the ability to work with children with special needs in a comfortable environment for the child and parents!
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?
A. The parent should contact the pediatric dentist immediately. A toothache can range from a newly erupting (coming in tooth) that is sore to a serious dental infection that requires immediate attention. A child complaining of a toothache should be taken seriously as it can lead to a medical emergency if untreated.
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?
A. Yes, if the habit continues for a prolonged amount of time. Breaking the habits before the age of 2 can decrease the amount of changes that may affect the permanent teeth. The most noticeable effect is the inability for the baby teeth to close all the way down in the front. This can lead to difficulty eating and also cause the tongue to "escape" or "thrust" out of the mouth causing improper speech. Habits, such as the thumb, that carry over into the young child with permanent teeth can cause malposition of the teeth and incorrect formation of the roof of the mouth. Orthodontics can be expected later to correct the bite.
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?
A. The best prevention is to wipe the tooth and gums after nursing so that the breast milk isn’t settling or sticking to the teeth all day and night. By removing the excess milk, the teeth are not exposed for long periods of time to the naturally occurring sugars which can cause tooth decay.
Q. How often does a child need to see a pediatric dentist?
A. Children, like adults, are seen every 6 months. If the child has many issues with decay, we may recommend every 3 months helping prevent any further disease. At these visits, we are also looking at growth and development so that we can properly advise on orthodontic issues that may need to be addressed early.
Q. How to contact Dr. Richardson if we have further questions?
