Raleigh Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. David D. Olson 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 Pediatrics, American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist should occur by 12 months of age. This visit will enable the dentist to evaluate your child and introduce you to proper oral hygiene. Diet, fluoride, finger and pacifier habits and tooth eruption will be discussed to insure optimal dental health.

Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?

A. I usually recommend using a damp wash cloth to wipe the gums of infants at bath time each night.  Once the first teeth appear, parents can use the damp washcloth or a finger brush to wipe the teeth after each time the baby feeds.  Once a child is one year old, I recommend using an infant brush and a very small smear of fluoride toothpaste in the morning and at night. 

Q. What is a Pediatric Dentist?

A. A pediatric dentist is a specialist dedicated to the oral health of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs. Pediatric dentists complete two or three years of additional specialized training (after the required four years of dental school), which includes study in child psychology, growth, and development. They are also trained and qualified to care for patients with medical, physical, or mental disabilities. Their specialization allows them to provide treatment for a wide variety of children’s dental problems such as tooth decay and cavities, malocclusion and crooked teeth, and emergency care. Personally, I completed four years of dental school at UNC Chapel Hill and three years at the University of Iowa for my pediatric dentistry certificate and Masters in Dental Public Health.  Additionally, many pediatric dentists such as myself go through the extensive process of becoming Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?

A. If a child has a toothache, that typically means that something is wrong.  Parents should call their dentist or a local pediatric dentist for an exam to determine the cause of the pain.  If the toothache is after-hours or on a weekend, most dental offices have an emergency call number in order to discuss if there is a need for an emergency appointment.  Many times I will recommend over-the-counter ibuprofen (the amount taken for a headache) for pain relief until the child can be seen in the office.

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

A. The majority of children stop sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and three years of age without any harm being done to their teeth or jaws. However, children that repeatedly suck on a finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time may cause the upper front teeth to tip toward the lip or not come in properly. We carefully monitor the way your child’s teeth come in and how the jaws develop. For most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until the permanent front teeth are ready to come in, but it should be discouraged by the age of four.  If all other options have been exhausted, we usually discuss the use of a bad tasting "nail polish" or even a fixed appliance to discourage the habit.

Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?

A. Breast feeding is an excellent source of nutrition and provides many other benefits.  I typically recommend moms try to keep specific feeding times.  Not only does this get the child into a routine but also it gives the teeth a break in between feedings.  After each feeding, be sure to wipe the teeth off with a damp wash cloth or finger brush.  Finally, and most importantly, beware of on-demand feeding at night.  Long exposures to breast milk or bottle milk without cleaning the teeth, may lead to cavities, especially when other foods are part of the diet. 

Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?

A. After the age one visit, I generally recommend children to be seen on a regular six month recall schedule in order to make sure they stay cavity-free, evaluate growth/development, and in order for the child to get to know us better.  There are times when I recommend more frequent check-ups, especially if a child is at higher risk for cavities. 

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

A.
Address:
10931 Raven Ridge Rd., Suite 105,  Raleigh, NC  27614
Phone: (919) 845-8212
Fax: (919) 845-8201
Email: dds155@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.raleighpedo.com