Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, Author at wilsonpediatric

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.

What Treatments Are Available at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry?

Posted on September 30, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

At Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, we know how important your child’s dental health is. That’s why our services are tailored to your child and are designed to help ensure the healthy development of your little ones’ teeth.

Here’s a look at the pediatric dental treatments we offer.

7 of Our Available Pediatric Dentistry Services

Exams and cleaning

We go beyond the traditional dental exam and teeth cleaning to ensure your child’s teeth are developing as they should be. We keep a close eye on this, in addition to using fluoride treatments designed to help strengthen teeth and prevent decay.

Sealant

This procedure involves the application of dental sealant on your child’s teeth. Sealant helps protect your kid’s teeth from bacteria and prevent cavities.

Cavity treatment

If your child does get a cavity, we can help. This procedure involves removing the affected part of the tooth and then replacing the area with cavity filling. In rare cases, when the decay is very severe, a dental crown may be needed.

Disking

Disking helps ensure your child’s teeth have room to grow. If a tooth does not appear to have space to grow in the mouth, we will shave off a thin layer from the surrounding teeth. This leaves room for that permanent tooth to grow without becoming crooked or misaligned.

Space maintainers

If your child loses a tooth early, they may need space maintainers. These are custom-fit, removable appliances that ensure the teeth surrounding the gap do not come in crooked or misaligned.

Dental x-rays

X-rays allow the dentist to see any issues with your child’s teeth that may not be easily apparent. Consult the dentist for more information on when these x-rays should be considered for your kid.

Early orthodontics

Interceptive orthodontics help prevent the need for orthodontia later in life. This should be considered when your kid’s permanent teeth start coming in, as early orthodontic care is designed to help ensure these teeth come in correctly.

Schedule a Dental Appointment Today

In addition to the treatments noted above, our dental practice offers emergency care services. For routine dental exams and other select procedures, our team offers the option of general anesthesia for children with severe dental anxiety. Our staff is happy to walk you through your options for this service.

Make sure your child has a positive dental experience from the very start by choosing a kids pediatric dentistry. If you live in the Greenville or Rocky Mount, North Carolina, area, Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is the premier pediatric dentist near you.

Learn more about possible dental treatments to consider for your child here.

5 Questions for Wilson Pediatric Dentistry’s Dr. Elmore

Posted on July 31, 2019December 22, 2020 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

You may or may not be familiar with Dr. Jasmine Elmore, the owner of Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. But if she’s provided dental care for your child or the child of someone you know in the Wilson, North Carolina, area, you know that making a positive impact on her community is her top priority. Creating a warm environment for her patients is only part of Dr. Elmore’s story, though.

We hope these questions will help fill in some of the rest.

Where is Dr. Elmore from?

Dr. Elmore is originally from Richmond, Virginia. It was there that she decided she wanted to make helping others her life’s mission.

Where did she go to school?

Dr. Elmore graduated from Radford University with a degree in Food and Nutrition. Upon graduation, she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from VCU’s School of Dentistry. She completed her residency at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there, she provided free dental care for uninsured children on the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.

What does she specialize in?

Dr. Elmore specializes in working with kids who have had a history of negative experiences with dentists. Her training allows her to create both a comfortable experience at the office and a plan for healthy dental habits at home.

She is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the North Carolina Dental Society, and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

What are her hobbies?

Dr. Elmore is a fan of sports and “old school” music. She enjoys spending time with friends and family and cooking healthy meals when she’s not at the office. She also attends conferences and participates in “Give Kids a Smile Day,” an initiative that offers free dental care to local children.

Schedule an Appointment in Wilson, NC

If you need expert pediatric dental solutions in the Greenville, Rocky Mount, or Knightdale areas, Dr. Elmore and the rest of the team at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry has you covered. Call or schedule an appointment today.

Now that you know more about us, we’re excited to learn more about you.

10 Dental Treatments to Consider For Your Kids

Posted on June 28, 2019July 10, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Early detection and treatment is critical to the development of healthy teeth and gums. Below are 10 dental treatments for kids that every parent should consider.

Dental Treatments Your Child Might Need

1) Examinations

Like most conditions, early detection is the key to good oral health. And identifying potential problems at a young age can help steer your child toward a lifetime of bright smiles. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children begin having regular 6-month checkups as soon as they sprout their first tooth.

2) Cleanings

No matter how diligently you brush your child’s teeth or how well they get the hang of it themselves, you’re unlikely to give as thorough of a cleaning as the dentist. The special tools and treatments used at a kid’s dentist will remove the harmful bacteria that a toothbrush can’t.

3) Sealants

At an age where proper dental care is still being learned, preventive measures can be instrumental. A sealant is a thin layer of plastic that is brushed onto a child’s molars to provide a protective shield against harmful bacteria.

4) Cavity treatments

It’s important for children to have cavities properly treated, even if the teeth will fall out anyway. Cavities can affect a child’s nutrition, cause overbites and other alignment problems, prevent adult teeth from growing in correctly, and lead to infections that affect the gums and other nearby teeth.

5) Disking

Disking involves shaving off thin layers of certain teeth to allow more room for surrounding teeth to grow in straight and correctly.

6) Space maintainers

When a baby tooth falls out prematurely, surrounding teeth may begin to grow crooked into the open space. A space maintainer keeps teeth in their own lanes by blocking off that open space and helping all teeth continue to be aligned.

7) X-rays

An X-ray helps a dentist identify potential issues that are not visible to the naked eye, such as tiny cavities forming in between teeth.

8) Early orthodontic treatment

Children as young as 6 can benefit from orthodontic treatments designed to aid in the early development of young teeth.

9) Anesthesia

Anesthesia is a treatment designed to help young patients get through many other types of treatments that may be too scary for them.

10) Emergency care

Kids can be rambunctious, so emergency dental treatment may be needed as a result of a fall or other accident.

Schedule an Appointment For Your Child

If your child is in need of dental care near Wilson, NC, schedule an appointment with the team at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. The proper dental treatment at a young age can set your child up for a lifetime of smiles, and Wilson Pediatric Dentistry can help.

Find a Pediatric Dentist Near You

Posted on May 20, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist near you in eastern North Carolina, look no further than Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We know that going to the dentist as a child is a pastime many people look back on negatively, but our pediatric dentists have completed years of specialized training to work with kids, ensuring your child receives the proper care they need.

Our kid-friendly office in Wilson, NC, creates an inviting, positive environment for children and their parents. That means going for a teeth cleaning is no longer a dreaded chore, but a pleasant and healthy activity. Learn more about the services we offer and the locations we serve by reading below.

Bringing Brighter Smiles to Eastern North Carolina

Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry

Our pediatric dentists near Rocky Mount take pride in providing the surrounding communities with pediatric dentistry services. Parents often assume that a general dentist can clean their child’s teeth just the same, but that’s not the case. Kids’ mouths are smaller and more sensitive than the mouths of adults, meaning a dentist that is only trained to treat adults could leave your child’s mouth sore after an appointment.

Choosing the right practice is extremely important to ensure your child receives proper care and doesn’t fight you every step of the way to the dentist’s office.

Additional Services

Our team of pediatric dentists near Greenville understands the importance of proper dental care during your child’s development. Highly trained and experienced, our associates offer interventional treatments as well as consulting on proper home care for your kid’s teeth. Our services include:

Exams and cleanings
Cavity treatment
Sealant
Disking
Space maintainers
Early orthodontics

Visit Wilson Pediatric Dentistry Today

Our group of pediatric dentists in Knightdale welcomes everyone because all of us deserve a healthy smile. Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is the only the pediatric dental office in eastern North Carolina that accepts Medicaid, making our practice the go-to office for our surrounding communities. Schedule an appointment online today.

The Preferred Pediatric Dentist of Parents in Knightdale, NC

Posted on April 26, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Quality pediatric dental care near Knightdale, North Carolina can be found just a short drive away at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Learn more about our practice and why we’re the preferred choice for pediatric dental care of parents in Knightdale.

Welcome to Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

About Our Office

Sure, you can take your children to a general dentist. Or you can go the extra mile to bring them to a pediatric dentist like the ones you’ll find at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. A pediatric dentist has undergone additional years of specialized training and experience treating young patients.

Our team knows how to make your little one feel comfortable. We also have the skills necessary to work on the small and delicate mouths of children. Our office is designed in a kid-friendly way that aims to ease any fears they may have of the dentist. Our goal is to have your child leave with a fun and comforting experience that promotes a positive view of the dentist and encourages healthy dental practices.

Treatments We Offer

Your child can get more than just a general checkup at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our services include:

Teeth cleanings: Cleanings and fluoride treatments lower the risk of cavities and ensure the healthy development of adult teeth.

Sealants: A sealant is a thin layer of plastic that’s applied to the surface of molars to provide a protective barrier between the tooth and harmful bacteria from food.

Cavity treatments: More than 40% of children develop a cavity in their primary teeth before the age of 11. Our gentle but effective treatment stops the decay and restores the tooth.

Disking: Disking is a process in which thin layers of teeth are shaved off to make more room for incoming permanent teeth to make sure they come in straight and healthy.

Space Maintainers: When a baby tooth is lost too early, surrounding teeth may shift out of place and cause the incoming permanent tooth to come in misaligned. A space maintainer keeps teeth in their appropriate lane to provide the necessary room for new tooth to develop.

X-rays: X-rays allow our team to monitor growth and spot any potential problems that are invisible to the naked eye.

Early orthodontic treatment: Orthodontic care can be applied to children as young as six-years-old to guide the proper growth of permanent teeth.

Emergency care: We’re here when you need us most. Our team is available for same-day emergency dental treatment.

Schedule Your Appointment

Schedule an appointment for your child or contact our team with any questions about services or costs. We’re the only pediatric dentist in eastern North Carolina that accepts Medicaid, and we promote equality, diversity, and inclusion for parents and children alike. Make an appointment today to see how easy it is to find quality pediatric dental care near Knightdale, NC.

A Teeth Cleaning Near Greenville, NC, Is Just Down the Road

Posted on March 29, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If you live near Greenville, NC and need a teeth cleaning for you or your child, you could search all over for a good dentist. Or you could just join us at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry in the nearby town of Wilson, NC.

Our team of trained and experienced professionals can make your child’s visit to the dentist a positive one and keep them smiling all the way back to Greenville. And we don’t just treat children. Patients of all ages including teenagers and even adults can have their teeth cleaned here at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry.

Teeth Cleanings at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

A professional teeth cleaning will not only brighten up your child’s smile but also remove harmful bacteria to lower their risk of cavities. Sure, a general dentist can clean your child’s teeth. But only a pediatric dentist like the ones found at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry have completed years of additional training specific to treating the small and sensitive mouths of kids.

The dentist can be a scary place for a child, even for just a routine cleaning. But the kid-friendly environment of our office combined with a staff that is specially trained and experienced treating young patients will ensure a positive experience for both you and your child.

Additional Services

If your child requires more than just a cleaning, we offer a wide range of services to get them the care they need.

Sealants. A sealant is a thin layer of plastic that serves as a protective barrier for hard-to-reach teeth.
Cavity treatment. It’s important to treat cavities in children’s teeth, even if they are going to fall out anyway. Stopping decay in children’s teeth will help adult teeth come in straight and healthy.
Disking. This treatment shaves off thin layers from the sides of permanent teeth to allow more space for surrounding teeth to come in straight and less cavity-prone.
Space maintainers. Losing a baby tooth too early can cause surrounding teeth to shift out of place and interfere with the permanent tooth trying to come in in its place. Space maintainers help keep teeth in their own lane to assist with proper growth.
Early orthodontics. Orthodontic treatments can sometimes be necessary for young children to ensure the proper development of their permanent teeth.

Put your search to rest by scheduling an appointment with Wilson Pediatric Dentistry for a teeth cleaning near Greenville, NC, today.

Preventing Dental Anxiety With Sedation and Anesthesia

Posted on February 28, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If your child is apprehensive about the dentist even before they’re asked to open wide, then it’s worth knowing what kind of anesthesia procedures your dentist offers. The most common anesthetic used in dentistry is nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas. It works quickly and leaves the body before your child is out of the chair.

At Wilson Pediatric Dentistry, we want all of our patients to feel at ease. You’ll find an explanation of when and how we use anesthesia below.

When General Anesthesia Is the Best Option

The professionals at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry can use nitrous oxide for a dental exam, a cavity fill, and other procedures.

Bigger procedures such as filling multiple cavities, placing a crown, or emergency dental work require more time and may require general anesthesia for your child’s relaxation and safety. It’s very difficult for a child to sit in a dental chair for hours, even if they don’t have anxiety. Your dentist can do more work quickly without the risk of your child jerking or becoming inconsolable.

If we agree that anesthesia is the best option for your child, we will do a physical evaluation, discuss any medications your child takes and make sure they don’t have breathing issues. We’ll also give you a clear understanding of how to prepare your child, what happens during the procedure and what to expect after.

Important Facts About Anesthesia at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Before using anesthesia for your child, we’ll answer all your questions. These are a few things to know upfront:

General anesthesia is administered via IV in our office.
A parent or guardian must be present for the entire procedure.
You’ll receive detailed instructions about food and liquids prior to the procedure.
We’ll watch your child in the office until the effects are minimal.
Your child will need close observation at home until all effects have passed.

If you’d like to discuss sedation or general anesthesia before coming in, please call us. You can also schedule an appointment at our office in Wilson, NC, serving Greenville & Rocky Mount, and we’ll determine what best meets your child’s needs.

Prepare your Child for a Cavity Filling With These 5 Tips

Posted on February 4, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Having a cavity filled can be a scary experience for an adult, let alone a small child. But with the right guidance, your little one can leave the dentist showing off their new smile.

Below are five tips to help prepare your child for a cavity filling.

How to Prepare Your Child For a Cavity Filling

Downplay it

By now you’ve probably figured out that children take a lot of their emotional cues from you. When you play something up as really fun and exciting — like their first day of school — it can be infectious to them. So when it comes to their first cavity filling, downplay it in front of them and act like it’s no big deal.

Mind your words

Your child may ask you some questions about what will happen at the appointment and if it will hurt. Explain what a cavity is, but avoid using words like “drill,” “needle,” “poke,” or anything else that can sound scary to a young one. You can even use a phrase like “sugar spot” or “candy bugs” instead of saying “cavity.”

Talk about your cavity fillings

If you had any cavities filled during childhood or as an adult, tell your child about it. If mom or dad has done it, it can’t be all that bad, right? If you have any current fillings, you can even let them look inside your mouth to see how “cool” they look.

Don’t frame it as punishment

Of course, you want your kids to understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. But be careful not to frame a cavity filling as “punishment” for them not brushing well enough. Explain how sugary foods can affect your teeth and how a cavity happens. If a child thinks they are being punished, it can affect the way they feel about dentists going forward. Emphasize that the dentist is there to help them, not punish them.

Bring comfort items

On the day of the appointment, let your child wear whatever they want (within reason of course). Allow them to bring their favorite stuffed animal or toy. Have their favorite TV show cued up on your smartphone or tablet with some headphones so they can watch in the waiting room and take their mind off the appointment. Do anything you can to set a positive tone.

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment in Wilson, NC

Now that your child is properly prepared for their cavity filling, the next step is to schedule their appointment at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. A pediatric dentist has additional training, experience, and skills specific to treating young patients and can be a better option than a general dentist in this regard.

Make an appointment for a gentle cavity filling treatment today and let us a bring a smile to your child’s face.

Learn 4 Tips to Care for Your Child’s Teeth in the New Year

Posted on January 1, 2019November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

As the year winds down and the holidays are upon us, it’s a great time to think about your child’s teeth. With the focus on get-togethers, presents, and family time, it can be easy to overlook dental health. That’s why we’re happy to offer four helpful tips for starting — or revisiting — good dental habits as we head into the new year.

Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth

Chit chat about the chompers

If your child has been to the dentist before or will be going for the first time, having an open talk about what to expect is a great way to prepare them for the visit. Presenting everything in a positive light will help alleviate any concerns your child might have. You can even read a story of someone having a good dental visit.

When you arrive at the office, allow the dentist to lead the conversation with your child to build a relationship. You can also ask your child questions like, “What color toothbrush do you like?” to give them some control over the appointment.

After the visit, you can discuss any concerns you have, such as thumb sucking, crowded teeth, losing teeth, and more.

Make healthy choices

When healthy food and drink choices are made, your child’s teeth will benefit. Adding foods that clean while being consumed, such as carrots, apples, and celery, helps scrub away plaque buildup and strengthens the tooth enamel.

Explain to your child that when sugary foods and drinks are consumed, the sugar can cause decay if left on the teeth and that having strong teeth allows us to enjoy the foods we love.

Be a role model

It’s important to brush at least twice a day and floss regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Help your child build healthy brushing and flossing habits by performing the tasks right along with them. This way you’ll be able to show them the correct way to brush and floss and treat it as a daily routine, rather than a chore.

Make and keep appointments

By making and keeping appointments to see your pediatric dentist twice a year, you’ll establish good dental habits with your child. Your child will also receive frequent cleanings and exams, which will allow the dentist to keep you aware of any issues that could arise in the future.

Care for Your Child’s Teeth at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

When your child is due for teeth cleaning, contact us at (252) 291-4300 or schedule an appointment online.

5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Pediatric Dentist

Posted on December 8, 2018December 11, 2018 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Taking a child to the dentist for the first time can be just as nerve-racking for the parent as it is for the child. That’s why choosing the right pediatric dentist is so important.

Below are five questions to ask when choosing a pediatric dentist so that you may know what to expect at your kid’s first dentist appointment.

Ask Your Pediatric Dentist These Questions

What should I expect out of my child’s first visit?

A child’s first visit to the dentist can set the tone for years to come. A negative experience can set them up with a fear of the dentist that can prove detrimental to their oral — and emotional — health. Consider the following:

What kind of measures will be taken to ease your child’s fears?
Are you allowed to hold your child during the examination?
How intrusive is the first exam?

Are your staff members pediatrics?

There are pediatric dentists, and then there are simply general dentists that treat children. The difference is that pediatric dentists have undergone years of additional training to learn how to administer care to the small, delicate, and sensitive mouths of children who may be frightened, shy or unable to remain still throughout the process.

What type of insurance do you take?

Of course, you’ll want to choose a pediatric dentist that accepts your insurance. And don’t hesitate to ask about payment plans or other pricing structures that can make things more affordable for your budget.

Do you offer sedation?

Sedation or anesthesia are ways to help an anxious patient relax while proper treatment is administered proper treatment. They also alleviate any discomfort that the patient may feel. Not all pediatric dentists offer these options, and even if you don’t think you would choose it for your child, it never hurts to know if it’s available if needed.

What about sealants?

Dental sealants are thin layers of plastic that are applied to the surfaces of teeth and offer protection against the harmful bacteria in food that causes cavities. When choosing a pediatric dentist, ask if they offer this preventive measure as an option.

Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Wilson, North Carolina, consider Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Everything from our welcoming lobby to our friendly staff creates a relaxing atmosphere for young new patients. Our team will develop a dental health plan specific to your child’s needs that will set them up for a lifetime of smiles. Drop in to see our facility, meet our staff, and ask any questions about our practice.