Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, Author at wilsonpediatric

How to Help Your Child Develop Healthy Teeth

Posted on September 29, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

In light of the ever-growing list of responsibilities you have as a parent, helping your child develop strong, healthy teeth may seem like an enormous weight on your shoulders. The good news is that most of the steps towards a child’s healthy smile can be achieved by integrating simple yet intentional steps into your daily routine. Continue reading to learn more.

3 Steps to a Healthy Smile

1. Alter Your Child’s Diet

Many of the dental issues seen in children, such as cavities and tooth decay, can be slowed by minimizing the amount of sugary and acidic foods your child eats. Cavities and decay come from bacteria which are found naturally in the mouth. This bacteria feeds on the sugars left on the teeth and gums and leaves plaque behind which will lead to tooth decay. Likewise, acidic foods can erode the enamel which is the protective and hard layer of the teeth leaving them more exposed to potential cavities.

While altering your child’s diet will not remove the need for daily hygiene practices, it may help to maintain the health of your child’s teeth between brushing.

2. Brush, Floss, and Swish

The best way to ensure your child develops healthy teeth is to establish healthy hygiene practices early on. If your child is still a baby and does not yet have teeth, use a damp cloth to wipe the gums at least twice a day. Once your child’s first tooth comes in, practice brushing at least once a day. As your child ages and more teeth erupt, follow age-appropriate recommendations, which will eventually include daily brushing, flossing, and the use of a fluoride rinse. Make these steps a habit now so that your child will maintain these steps as an adolescent and adult.

3. Find a Pediatric Dentist

One of the most valuable steps towards helping your child develop strong, healthy teeth is to find a pediatric dentist to partner with your efforts. Regular checkups and cleanings will help establish oral hygiene as a priority in your family. The dentist will reinforce what you are teaching at home and will help correct most dental issues early on to avoid costly dental procedures down the road.

This step also gives your child a sense of ownership and accountability when it comes to taking care of their own teeth. As they grow, they will understand the value of these regular appointments and will become more comfortable going to the dentist.

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Greenville, NC

We are now accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Contact our office to schedule your child’s first appointment and take the first step towards improving the health of your child’s teeth today.

What to Do When Your Child Loses a Baby Tooth Too Soon

Posted on August 24, 2020September 1, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Most children’s primary teeth are lost at pretty standard points throughout their childhood. If, for whatever reason, one of your child’s primary teeth falls out much earlier than expected, the teeth farther back in the mouth are in danger of shifting forward. Continue reading to learn how space maintainers can help to avoid costly dental procedures later on.

An Overview of Space Maintainers

What Does a Space Maintainer Do?

One of the responsibilities of a primary tooth is to maintain a clear space for the adult tooth to grow and erupt. If a primary tooth comes out before the adult tooth behind it has developed, then that space needs to be maintained until it is ready to erupt.

Space maintainers are a simple way to protect that space and provide a temporary placeholder which can be removed once the adult tooth erupts.

How Do You Know If a Tooth Has Fallen Out Too Soon?

Most primary teeth follow a general pattern and timeline which can make it easy to predict when each of your child’s teeth will fall out. If you are unsure as to whether a tooth has fallen out too early, you can always consult with your child’s dentist. She may recommend a quick appointment to take a look at the gum and may take an X-ray to confirm. If a lost baby tooth isn’t caught quickly, your dentist will see if a space maintainer is necessary during a routine dental cleaning.

Types of Space Maintainers

Space maintainers can be fixed or removable depending on the recommendation of your child’s dentist.

A fixed space maintainer is cemented onto the adjacent teeth and comes in a variety of designs. Some include a wire loop with metal bands that wrap around the adjacent teeth. Others include a stainless steel crown instead of bands. Most dentists recommend a fixed design for younger kids since they are easy to maintain and are not as easy to fidget with.

A removable space maintainer closely resembles a retainer. Some designs have a false tooth attached which may be preferable if the lost tooth is still visible, particularly in older children. This design requires more personal accountability to maintain healthy dental hygiene and must be worn on a daily basis to ensure the space is maintained.

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Wilson, NC

If you are looking for a new dentist for your children, we are accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of pediatric dentistry services in Wilson, NC. Give us a call or schedule an appointment today.

How You Can Motivate Your Teenager to Have Good Dental Hygiene

Posted on July 14, 2020August 14, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Chances are that between a busy social life, extracurriculars, and schoolwork, dental hygiene may be the last thing on your teen’s mind. However, setting the standard for good dental hygiene early in life is crucial to long-term dental health. So how can you encourage good dental hygiene in your home? Continue reading to learn more.

How to Encourage Your Teen to Have Good Dental Hygiene

Limit Sugar and Soda

Our dental health is largely affected by the foods we eat. One of the best ways to encourage dental health is to encourage healthy food choices. Foods that are high in sugar or acids, like sodas, can encourage plaque buildup or even tooth decay. Try to limit the amount of sugars and sodas your teenager consumes.

Appeal to Their Looks

Teenagers spend much of their day preoccupied with the way they look. Appeal to this concern by reminding your teen that brushing his teeth, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings will go a long way in maintaining a pretty smile for years to come.

Require the Use of a Mouthguard

If your teen is an athlete, then she may be at higher risk of tooth damage due to injury. If high-risk or high-impact sports are a part of your teen’s life, make it a priority to purchase a mouthguard and require it to be used during practice and games.

Schedule Regular Cleanings

One of the best ways to encourage good dental hygiene habits is to schedule regular cleanings with a pediatric dentist. This simple step will help establish these appointments as a regular part of your child’s annual routine. It will also allow your child’s dentist to partner in your efforts to help communicate and educate your child on good dental practices.

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for a new pediatric dentist for your teen, visit Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff is ready to partner alongside you to give your kids a healthy smile. We will walk you through what to expect on your first visit as soon as you schedule an appointment. Give us a call today to learn more.

The Importance of Fluoride in Pediatric Dentistry

Posted on June 27, 2020August 14, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

You may recognize fluoride as an ingredient in your toothpaste or mouth rinse, but what exactly is fluoride and why is it so important for your child’s developing teeth? Continue reading to learn more.

The Connection Between Fluoride and Dental Hygiene

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral which is found in plants, water, soil, and even air. Fluoride is consumed naturally in our food and water and might often be prescribed as a supplement. In the body, fluoride acts as a strengthening agent and offers a variety of benefits to our bones and teeth which is why fluoride is a commonly used substance in pediatric dentistry.

How Fluoride Benefits Your Teeth

Throughout the day, we consume a variety of minerals such as fluoride, phosphate, and calcium. These minerals are deposited onto the protective enamel layer of our teeth. Acid from sugars and plaque bacteria, however, will strip away these protective minerals. This process is known as demineralization and remineralization. If demineralization occurs faster than remineralization, then the enamel becomes weak which paves the way for cavities and tooth decay.

To strengthen and improve the health of enamel, fluoride treatments can be recommended or prescribed. These treatments help to rebuild weakened tooth enamel, prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria, and can even reverse the early signs of tooth decay. Fluoride treatments can include mouth rinses and specialized toothpastes. It is always recommended to speak with your child’s dentist before considering these treatments on your own.

The Importance of Fluoride for Children

While fluoride is important to people of all ages, it is especially important between the age of 6 months and 16 years. This is when the primary and permanent teeth come in and additional care should be taken to ensure these developing teeth are strong and healthy. Your dentist can recommend a specific oral hygiene routine to ensure your child’s teeth remain as healthy and as strong as possible.

Pediatric Dentistry Services in Wilson, NC

If you are looking for a dentist for your child, contact Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We are currently accepting new patients and look forward to helping you establish healthy routines for your child’s lifelong oral health. Give us a call to learn more or schedule your first appointment today.

How to Prepare Your Baby for Her First Dental Visit

Posted on May 28, 2020August 14, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

As a new parent, you have so many doctor appointments and check-ups to remember that scheduling your baby’s first dental visit might be the furthest thing from your mind. So when should you take your baby to the dentist for the first time? Continue reading to learn more.

Your Baby’s First Dentist Appointment

When to Schedule

The moment your baby’s first tooth breaks the surface of her gums, she is susceptible to cavities and tooth decay. That’s why the general rule of thumb is that a baby’s first dentist appointment should be after her first tooth appears but no later than her first birthday.

Establishing dental hygiene habits early is the best way to avoid complications and cavities later in her life. This first appointment will serve as an opportunity to get the baby used to the idea of going to the dentist as well as offering a chance to share valuable information with you regarding oral health in her first years of life.

Things We’ll Discuss

Some of the things we’ll discuss in your baby’s first appointment will include topics such as healthy habits and diet. We’ll help guide you in teaching her how to brush her gums, even if her first teeth haven’t erupted yet. We will also talk about how giving her a bottle at night can lead to early tooth decay and other dietary subjects.

This is the perfect opportunity to bring questions about subjects such as teething, thumb sucking, and pacifiers. Subjects like these can feel overwhelming and we want to help you feel as informed and prepared as possible.

How to Prepare for Her First Visit

The best way to help your baby feel as comfortable as possible during her appointment is to eliminate the element of surprise. Explain who a dentist is and what she can expect when she arrives. Help her to practice opening and closing her mouth so she won’t be thrown off guard during her appointment.

Look for books or videos that can help explain her first visit to the dentist. Overall, let her see that you are excited and ready for the appointment, and she will follow your lead.

Schedule an Appointment in Greenville, NC

It’s not too early to schedule your baby’s first appointment at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our team specializes in providing excellent oral health care while making our younger patients feel as comfortable as possible. Give us a call or schedule your appointment today.

Pediatric Dentistry: How to Avoid Cavities

Posted on April 30, 2020May 8, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Teaching a child to brush and floss at a very young age is the best way to instill healthy oral hygiene habits as the child grows. Continue reading to learn how you can explain cavities and healthy hygiene practices to your child.

How to Explain Cavities to Your Child

What Is a Cavity?

There is a bacteria in your mouth that has a funny name. It’s called a streptococci mutant. This bacteria likes to live on your teeth and loves to eat sugar. Whenever you eat sweet or sugary foods, the bacteria will eat the sugar and make an acid on your teeth. When you don’t brush or floss the sugar or acid off of your teeth, the acid will begin to erode or eat away at the surface of your teeth. Over time, this erosion will create a hole in your tooth called a cavity. Cavities can be very painful and if you don’t take care of them quickly, they can grow until the whole tooth is damaged. A damaged tooth can make it difficult to eat your favorite foods and may even need to be removed.

How Can I Protect My Teeth?

You can protect your teeth from cavities by brushing your teeth in the morning after you wake up and again right before you go to sleep at night. Your toothbrush will remove sugar from the surface of your teeth, but it can’t reach the sugar or bacteria that likes to hide between your teeth. This is why it is so important to floss every day to make sure the bacteria can’t hide and create a cavity between your teeth. Every six months, you should go to the dentist for a cleaning so that she can look for any cavities that might be hiding.

What Happens If I Get a Cavity?

If the dentist finds a cavity in your mouth, she will need to drill away the damaged part of your tooth. But don’t worry, the dentist will give you some medicine first so that you will be comfortable. Once the damaged part of your tooth is removed, the dentist will use a special material to fill the hole in and make it look good as new. This material is called a filling which will harden to protect your tooth from any more damage.

Schedule Your Next Appointment in Greenville, NC

If you are looking for a dentist for your child, come to Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of services including pediatric cavity treatment in Greenville, NC. Our staff is highly qualified to put your child at ease and provide whatever dental services he may require. Schedule an appointment today.

Types of Pediatric Dental Emergencies

Posted on March 31, 2020April 10, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Any health emergency should be taken seriously, and dental emergencies are no exception. But what is considered a dental emergency and what should be done in the event of one?

Any dental problem that puts the future of a tooth in jeopardy, causes ongoing tissue bleeding, or severe pain is considered to be a dental emergency and should be immediately addressed.

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry immediately at (252) 291-4300.

Below are some common types of dental emergencies and the appropriate actions for each.

Common Types of Dental Emergencies

Knocked out tooth

Every year, more than five million teeth are knocked out in children and adults. Sports and general roughhousing are the most common culprits.

What to do:

Pick up the tooth by the crown (the top). Do not touch the root.
Rinse off the tooth, but don’t scrub it or remove any attached tissue.
Try to place the tooth back into the socket and hold it in place until you get to the dentist. If you are unable to do so, place it in a cup of milk.
Call your dentist immediately. If you’re near Wilson, North Carolina, call Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Time is of the essence for a knocked out tooth.

Chipped or fractured tooth

A tooth that becomes cracked or chipped on the outside has often suffered some internal damage as well that can put the tooth’s health in danger.

What to do:

Rinse out your mouth with warm water.
Use a cold compress to minimize any swelling if facial trauma was involved.
You may take acetaminophen to alleviate pain.
Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.

Injuries to the mouth

Punctures, tears, and cuts to the lips, cheeks, gums, mouth, or tongue can constitute a dental emergency when severe.

What to do:

Clean the affected area with warm water.
Apply pressure to the wound with gauze.
Take acetaminophen for pain.
Get to an oral surgeon or emergency room as soon as possible.

Oral infection

Most infections of the mouth are not considered to be emergencies. But if you experience swelling around the jawline or under your mouth and have difficulty breathing or swallowing, it may qualify as a dental emergency.

What to do:

Take acetaminophen for pain and swelling.
Contact your dentist.

Contact Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, call us right away to schedule a same-day appointment today. Dental emergencies can lead to long-term damage if they’re not addressed right away, and the team at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is standing by to help.

Pediatric Teeth Correction: Your FAQs Answered

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Knowing what pediatric dentistry treatments are right for your child can be tricky, especially when it comes to teeth correction or early orthodontic procedures. To help guide your decisions, read our answers to your frequently asked questions on pediatric teeth correction.

What You Need to Know About Pediatric Teeth Straightening

Q: How do you know if you should consider teeth correction for your child?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should start bringing your child in to the dentist for regular check-ups when their first tooth comes in — and definitely by their first birthday. Given this information, you should consult your pediatric dentist when it comes to teeth correction options, usually when their permanent teeth start coming in.

People will often consult their dentist about teeth straightening if their child has crooked, overlapping or overcrowded teeth. This is especially important to discuss if your child still has some of their baby teeth, as misaligned teeth can make it difficult for permanent teeth to come in correctly.

Q: Will my child’s teeth straighten out on their own?

While your child’s teeth may straighten out on their own, this is not always the case. It is less likely to happen if the crooked teeth make it difficult for other permanent teeth to come in correctly.

Q: When should you bring your child in for their first orthodontic screening?

To be on the safe side, you should bring your child in for their first orthodontic screening when they’re 6-7 years old. By age 7, most kids’ permanent molars have come in. This gives your pediatric dentist time to identify any issues early and proceed accordingly.

Q: What age should you consider braces for your child?

You’ll want to consider braces for your child when they’re between 10-14 years old. During this timeframe, your kid’s head and mouth are still growing, which makes their teeth easier to straighten out.

Schedule an Appointment at Your Local Pediatric Dentist

Learn about our pediatric teeth correction in Wilson, NC, and schedule an appointment today. We’re conveniently located near Greenville, Rocky Mount, and Knightdale.

What You Need to Know About Dental Sealants

Posted on January 11, 2020February 11, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Dental sealants have become a popular service for parents seeking some extra protection for their children’s teeth. But why are sealants important? And what can they offer that a routine teeth cleaning cannot?

Before discussing the importance of dental sealants, let’s go over what a dental sealant is and how it works.

What Are Dental Sealants?

A protective dental sealant is a thin protective coating that is usually made from plastic or other dental materials. It adheres to the surface of your molars, which are the teeth we use for chewing.

A sealant acts as a shield for your teeth. When we eat, bacteria from food particles remains on our teeth. And when this bacteria is not swept away by brushing, flossing, or mouthwash, it can attack the tooth and cause decay, better known as a cavity.

But with a sealant standing in the way, those food particles (and the bacteria they carry) never actually come into contact with the tooth. Instead, they come to rest on the surface of the sealant and not the tooth itself.

Why Are Sealants Important?

Cavities are so common in children because kids have not yet perfected the art of brushing their teeth. Young brushers tend to miss spots and leave harmful food particles on the surface of their teeth. The bacteria present in these food particles is a big reason why more than 50 percent of children develop a cavity between the ages of 6 and 11.

Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of tooth decay in molars by almost 80 percent, and school-age children without sealants have nearly three times as many cavities as children with sealants.

Sealants are applied with a brush and the process is completely painless. By protecting your child’s teeth from cavities, they can avoid costly repair work in the future and put them on a track toward a happy and healthy smile in adulthood.

Dental Sealants Near You

Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is a kids dentist in Greenville, NC, offering dental sealants to children along with a range of other dental services. Contact us to learn more about our sealant service and consider adding the protection to your children’s teeth that will keep them smiling for years to come.

What Is Dental Disking Teeth Correction?

Posted on December 31, 2019January 13, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Dental disking is when thin layers of tooth enamel are shaved off to ensure there is room for a tooth to come in straight. Either one tooth or teeth on both sides of the area are shaved off during this pediatric dentistry procedure.

The CDC recommends parents bring their children to a pediatric dentist by the time your kid is 1 year old, and dental disking is one of the many ways to set your child up for success with a focus on oral health.

By why should you consider dental disking for your child? Read the top 4 reasons below.

4 Reasons You Should Consider Dental Disking For Your Child

Potentially avoid future orthodontic treatments

Orthodontic work can be expensive. Avoid these costly treatments by doing what you can to ensure your child’s permanent teeth come in straight. When the tooth erupts, it’s important that there’s enough space for it. Dental disking is a great procedure for helping with this.

Potentially avoid future tooth decay and cavity treatments

If a child’s teeth come in crooked or misaligned, this can lead to overcrowding in the mouth. Since the teeth are so close together, decay often builds up on and around them. This can lead to a child needing more cavity fillings in the future. Thus, dental disking can often prevent this future stress and costs.

It’s a pain-free procedure

Dental disking only affects the enamel of the tooth. As this is the surface level of the tooth, the shaving process is most often pain-free. That being said, it’s always important that you choose a dentist who has experience working with children and keeping them calm throughout the procedure.

It can often be covered by insurance

While this depends on your insurance plan, pediatric dentistry procedures can often be covered by insurance. We recommend checking with your provider before you schedule an appointment.

Schedule a Pediatric Dentistry Appointment Near Greenville, NC

Learn about the disking teeth correction services available at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, located conveniently near Greenville, Rocky Mount and Knightdale, North Carolina. We also offer teeth alignment and teeth straightening procedures.

Follow up this article by exploring these other two pediatric dentistry resources below:

5 Teeth Cleaning Practices to Teach Your Child

Posted on November 30, 2019December 16, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

A lifetime of healthy smiles begins with learning good dental habits at a young age. A pediatric dentist will be able to give your child’s teeth a professional cleaning, but there are some tips that every parent should share with their child about taking care of their own teeth in between visits to the dentist.

Below are five of the best teeth cleaning practices to teach your child.

The proper way to brush

It seems like a no-brainer, but many children — and even adults — don’t brush their teeth correctly. Teach your children the proper way to brush their teeth, and continue to help them until they are at least coordinated enough to tie their own shoes.

Flossing

Your child has probably heard of “the floss” dance move. But how much do they know about “flossing” the dental move? Once your child’s teeth begin to fit closely together, it’s time to add flossing to their routine. Start by flossing their teeth for them until they get the hang of it themselves.

Using mouthwash

Once your child is around six years old, they can begin to use mouthwash under your supervision. Practice with water first to make sure they know how to swish it around without swallowing.

Eating a healthy diet

A poor diet is not just unhealthy for a young body. It can also wreak havoc on a child’s teeth. Teach your children about how sugar causes cavities, and monitor what they eat.

Drinking only water at night

Kids often only associate food with cavities. So after they brush their teeth for the night, they can still have some juice or soda to drink, right? Not exactly. Sugary beverages can be just as harmful to teeth as food. Once they have brushed up for the night, only water is allowed.

Schedule a Cleaning for Your Child Near Greenville, NC

Schedule a dental cleaning for your child at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our team has years of training and experience working with young children and can help you and your child instill the proper teeth cleaning practices that will set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Come see us in Wilson, North Carolina, today.

How to Avoid a Cavity This Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Each Halloween, the streets are full of costumed kids trick-or-treating. And not long after, it’s the dentist’s door that receives a knock.

Halloween means bags full of sugary sweets, but it doesn’t have to mean a mouth full of cavities. Follow the tips below to learn how your child can avoid a cavity this Halloween while still enjoying everything the holiday has to offer.

Eat Halloween candy with meals

Saliva is a natural defender against the sugary food particles and bacteria that lead to cavities. Saliva production heightens during meal time. Have your children indulge in some Halloween candy only after eating a regular meal to ensure they’re eating it with a healthy amount of saliva to help cancel out some of the effects.

Avoid long-lasting candy

Hard candy that stays in your mouth for an extended period of time brings about an increased risk of cavities due to longer exposure. Instead, stick with candy that is simply chewed and swallowed in order to limit the amount of time that it’s actually in the mouth.

Avoid sticky candy

The residue from sticky candy like taffy, gummies, and caramel clings to the teeth long after you’ve swallowed and takes longer to wash away by saliva or brushing. Have your children avoid the types of candy that are especially sticky.

Ration it out

Instead of letting your child binge-eat on Halloween candy, allow them just a couple pieces per day so as to not overwhelm their teeth with sugar. Better yet, allow them to pick out a specified number of pieces and then donate the rest.

There are many organizations that collect Halloween candy and donate it to overseas troops or underprivileged kids. There are even candy buyback programs where kids can trade candy for cash.

Replace sugary drinks with water

Set a compromise with your kids this Halloween: They can eat candy if they give up the sugary beverages like soda, sweet tea, and artificial juice. Sugary drinks combined with candy will only increase the risk of a cavity, and drinking water (especially water that contains flouride) is a great way of washing out harmful bacteria from the mouth.

Schedule a Post-Halloween Cleaning

One final way to help your children avoid cavities this Halloween is to schedule a post-Halloween cleaning. A professional cleaning can rinse away all the cavity-causing bacteria that everyday brushing and flossing often can’t.

Follow the tips above, and schedule an appointment today to keep your child from having a scary looking smile this Halloween.