How to Prevent Cavities in Children: A Guide for Parents

Posted on August 8, 2024 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Cavities are a common dental issue that can affect children of all ages. However, with the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can help your child maintain a healthy, cavity-free smile. Wilson Dental will help you identify early signs of cavities and provide actionable cavity treatment information to protect your child’s oral health.

Signs of Early Cavities in Children

1. White Spots on Teeth

Chalky, white spots on the surface of teeth, especially near the gum line, indicate demineralization, the first stage of cavity formation. Additionally, complaints of discomfort or pain when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods suggest tooth sensitivity, which can signal that the enamel is wearing away and leaving the dentin exposed.

2. Visible Pits or Holes and Dark Spots or Stains

When checking your teeth, look for small pits or holes on the surface, as these are clear indicators that a cavity has formed and needs professional attention. Additionally, keep an eye out for dark spots or stains, which can be brown, black, or gray; these stains may indicate decay and should be examined by a dentist.

Preventive Measures to Protect Your Child’s Teeth

Preventing cavities involves a combination of good oral hygiene practices and regular dental care. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Establish a Routine and Monitor Diet

Ensure your child brushes their teeth twice a day and flosses daily using a fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush suitable for their age. Limit sugary snacks and drinks by encouraging healthy alternatives such as fruits, vegetables, and water.

2. Regular Dental Check-Ups and Education

Schedule check-ups with a pediatric dentist every six months, as early visits can help detect issues before they become severe. Teach your child the importance of oral hygiene by making brushing fun with songs, timers, or reward charts.

What If You Find Cavities?

If you discover that your child has developed cavities, it’s crucial to take immediate action to prevent further decay and ensure proper treatment. Schedule an appointment with your kid’s dentist in Greenville, NC as soon as you suspect cavities; they can provide a comprehensive evaluation and recommend appropriate treatment options based on the severity of the cavities.

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Dental Fillings

Posted on July 16, 2024July 16, 2024 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

As parents, you want to ensure your children’s teeth stay healthy and strong. However, sometimes cavities happen. Our pediatric dentist will use dental fillings — one of the most common dental procedures — to help preserve your child’s smile when these problems occur in Greenville, NC.

What Are Dental Fillings?

Dental fillings are regularly used to repair and rebuild parts of a tooth compromised by cavities and decay. Cracks or fractures caused by accidents, or everyday wear and tear also often need fillings, even if the damage is in baby teeth. The process involves removing the damaged part of the tooth, cleaning the area, and filling it with a suitable material to keep the tooth stable and healthy.

The Dental Filling Procedure for Kids

Diagnosis: The first step involves a diagnosis. This might be done through a visual exam, X-rays, or other diagnostic tools. We will carefully check your child’s teeth to see the extent of the issue.
Numbing: To keep your child comfortable, a local anesthetic is used to numb the area around the affected tooth, minimizing pain and discomfort.
Removal of Decay: The dentist removes the decayed part of the tooth with specialized instruments to prevent further damage.
Cleaning and Preparation: After removing the damage, the cavity is cleaned to get rid of any bacteria and debris. The area is then prepped for the filling to ensure it bonds well with the material.
Filling Placement: Depending on the chosen material — like composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain — the filling is applied in layers. Each layer is hardened or cured using a special light.
Shaping and Polishing: Once the filling is in place, it is shaped to fit the natural contours of your child’s tooth. Finally, it is polished to ensure a smooth finish that blends seamlessly with other teeth.

Taking Care of Your Child’s Fillings

Here are a few tips to help care for your child’s dental fillings and their overall oral health:

Ensure they brush twice a day and floss daily.
Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Teach them to avoid chewing on hard objects like ice or pencils that can damage fillings.
Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks that contribute to decay.
Consider preventative dental sealants as an extra step to protect your child’s hard-to-brush back teeth.

Fillings are a key part of keeping your child’s teeth healthy and functional. If you suspect your child needs a cavity filling in Greenville, or have any concerns about their oral health, don’t search your phone for “dentist near me” — just reach out to us at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Your child’s smile is our top priority!

Appropriate Age for Children’s Dental Exams

Posted on March 6, 2023 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Protecting a child’s health is important to all parents, and one crucial element of achieving that goal is good dental hygiene practices. But when should you bring your child in for their first dental check-up? Read on for the answer to that question and to learn about the benefits of visiting a pediatric dentist.

Appropriate Age for Children’s Dental Exams

Your child should come in for their first check-up with a dentist when they are 12 months old or within six months of their first tooth growing in. This will help catch any problems early so they can be treated accordingly before they grow any more severe. Your child’s first visit will be quick, typically taking a half hour and 45 minutes.

Benefits of Good Dental Hygiene

Healthier Teeth and Gums

The most apparent benefit of coming in for regular check-ups is protecting the health of your child’s teeth and gums. Your child will be protected from tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental health issues. Because these problems can worsen if left untreated, keeping up with your child’s dental health visits is essential.

Uninterrupted Learning

When a child has a cavity or other dental issue, it might involve missing school to treat the problem or recover from a procedure. This can lead to the child falling behind on their education and coursework. Children with good dental hygiene typically miss less school than those with poor dental hygiene.

Greater Confidence

Along with the tangible benefits of good dental hygiene, the benefits it has for your child’s outlook, and self-esteem can’t be ignored. A smile they can feel good about will work wonders for your child’s confidence. This will allow them to approach any challenge they face in life feeling ready to overcome it.

Find a Pediatric Dentist Near You

Want to learn more about maintaining your child’s hygiene to keep their teeth healthy? We have the resources you need to educate yourself about your child’s dental health needs. Visit Wilson Pediatric Dentistry today to learn more about our services.

Learning About Pediatric Dentist Emergency Care with Wilson Pediatrics

Posted on January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

You want to do everything you can to protect your child, and that includes being able to help them in an emergency situation. When your child needs emergency dental care, you must know how to respond. Read on for some tips from a pediatric dentist about how to handle your child’s dental emergency.

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental situation that requires immediate attention. Pediatric dental emergencies come in many different forms. For instance, tooth decay that is left untreated could grow severe enough to become an emergency. A cut on the lips or gums that becomes infected could also constitute a dental emergency.

Other dental emergencies are caused by sudden trauma. These include broken or fractured teeth, teeth that have been knocked out, or a broken jaw. All of these events cause acute pain and need to be treated by a dental professional as soon as possible.

What to Do In a Dental Emergency

Stay Calm and Act Fast

Although your child experiencing a dental emergency is frightening, it’s important that you keep a cool head so that you can handle the situation properly. Panicking will only make the experience more traumatic for your child, so maintain your composure to help ease their stress.

One of the best ways you can keep your child calm in this distressing event is knowing what to do when responding to the situation. Keep contact information on hand for pediatric emergency dental care. This will allow you to respond promptly, reassuring your child that you know what to do to help them.

Call for Emergency Dental Care Immediately

Acting fast is vital in a dental emergency. The sooner you get the emergency treated, the better the results will be for your child. Acting fast may enable dental professionals to save any teeth that were damaged in the emergency.

Contact Wilson Pediatric Dentistry for help in a dental emergency and all your other pediatric needs. We’re standing by to provide the high-quality care that your child deserves.

Learn Healthy Dental Hygiene From a Pediatric Dentist

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Dental hygiene is important for overall health, especially for children. If your kids start with a good foundation for oral health, they will carry these lessons into adulthood. Healthy dental hygiene will reduce or prevent many future oral problems including ulcers, gingivitis, or even root canals. Here are some tips on how to help your kids learn good teeth cleaning in Greenville, NC.

Learn Healthy Dental Hygiene From a Pediatric Dentist

Start at an Early Age

Kids learn very quickly as they grow, and visiting a dentist at an early age helps them to understand the importance of their teeth. It is advisable to visit a pediatric dentist and book regular visits with a kids dentist as soon as your child’s first tooth appears.

If you have more than one child, it’s a great idea to take your kids for a teeth cleaning service at the same time. Try combining the visit with a fun family activity on the same day to positively reinforce the dental visit.

Regular Dental Visits

Most problems with children’s teeth can be prevented by regular dental visits. This allows your dentist to maintain your child’s baby teeth. On average, a child should visit the dentist at least ten times before starting kindergarten. If your child’s baby teeth are healthy from regular checkups, their adult teeth should develop without any problems.

Lead by Example

As a parent, you are the most important role model for your kids. They look up to you for guidance, and this extends to dental care. If you demonstrate to your child the right way to brush their teeth, they will copy you. Children need to build a routine as they grow and brushing your teeth with your children together is a fun and important way to teach them great dental habits.

Provide Healthy Substitutes

Everyone loves sugar. The problem is too much sugar can cause serious damage to teeth, especially in children. As a substitute, try using little bags of healthier fruit or raw vegetables for your kids. Fruits and vegetables will provide essential vitamins and minerals, which further improve their dental health.

Talk With Your Dentist

Your child’s dental health is as important as their physical health. Your friendly pediatric dentist is here to help your child build a firm foundation for a lifetime of bright smiles and good dental hygiene. We also provide extra tips and advice at Serving Greenville.

Contact us at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry to introduce your child to a lifetime of good dental hygiene and book a teeth cleaning service 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.

How Can Dental Sealants Protect Your Children’s Teeth?

Posted on February 2, 2018November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

Teaching children to brush and floss efficiently enough to prevent cavities can be a challenge for even the most diligent parents. Factor in all the juice and other sweets children get their hands on and it’s no wonder over 40 percent of kids under 11 develop cavities on their baby teeth.

Fortunately, there’s an easier way to protect children’s teeth from plaque, bacteria, and decay. Many parents today are turning to dental sealants for help.

How Dental Sealants Work

So how can dental sealants protect your children’s teeth?

A dental sealant is a very thin layer of plastic coating that is applied to the surfaces of teeth. They are most often used on the back teeth where most chewing takes place. The sealant fills the grooves and crevices of the teeth to form a protective shield over the enamel. This protective shield forms a barrier between food and the actual tooth, making it more difficult for sugar and other harmful substances to attack the tooth.

Applying Sealants

Applying dental sealants is not a difficult process. Your children’s teeth will first be cleaned and dried. Then an acid substance is placed on the teeth to provide the sealants something to bond with. After rinsing and drying the teeth again, the sealant is then “painted” onto the teeth with a brush where it then hardens.

Dental sealants are recommended during the cavity-prone ages of six to 14. Dental sealants can last for up to 10 years and will be inspected for wear and tear during regular checkups. Many insurance companies provide coverage for the cost of dental sealants for patients under 18 years of age.

Where to Get Dental Sealants for Your Children

Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is happy to provide dental sealants and other treatments for your child. We understand that visiting a dentist can be scary for a child and that’s why we’ve dedicated our practice to providing the best possible experience for young patients in a fun and comfortable environment. Our team has years of training and experience working with children, even ones who have had negative experiences at a dentist in the past.

Schedule an appointment today for our Wooten Blvd location in Wilson, NC to help put a smile on your child’s face.

How To Protect Your Kids’ Teeth From Holiday Sweets

Posted on December 15, 2017November 22, 2019 by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

With the constant influx of candy, cookies, and other sugary treats, the holiday season can take a toll on teeth. This is especially true for children, who would probably subsist on the sweet stuff if they were allowed. As a parent, you need to take extra steps to protect your kids from holiday sweets before their next dental visit.

You can also make sure that any extra holiday plaque is taken care of by scheduling your kids’ next dental cleaning at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry.

Ways to Protect Your Kids’ Teeth From Holiday Sweets Ahead of Their Next Dental Cleaning

Ration the Sweets

It is impossible to keep holiday sweets from your children completely, but you can lessen the negative health impact by dolling candy out over a long period of time. If you give your just a few sweets every couple of days, they’ll see it as a special treat and not a regular part of their diets. It can also be a fun way to count down the remaining days until they get their real gifts.

Be Wary of Hard Candies

All sweets can promote plaque buildup, but hard candies, like candy canes, pack extra risks. Children often lack the patience to wait for these candies to dissolve naturally, so they bite down. Doing so may lead to them breaking or chipping a tooth. Limit hard candies when possible and encourage kids not to bite.

Don’t Let Them Crack Nuts With Their Teeth

Your kids may be tempted to try to crack nuts open with their teeth after they see holiday nutcrackers do the same. Like hard candy, this also puts them at risk for fracturing teeth. Unlike hard candy, nuts are packed with healthy proteins and nutrients you want your kids to consume. Just make sure to give them pre-shelled nuts.

Their Teeth Aren’t Box Cutters

Children are often so enthusiastic to break in their new gifts, they throw all manners to the side and dig into the packaging with their teeth. This can lead them to damaging their teeth, cutting their gums, or getting something lodged between their teeth. When it comes time to open presents, keep a pair of scissors handy and brace yourself for flying wrapping paper.

Maintain a Routine

With all the traveling that comes with the season, it can be hard to maintain a regular schedule of brushing twice and flossing once daily. Unfortunately, it can be hard getting back into a habit once it’s broken. Make sure your kids brush and floss at around the same time every day, even when you’re on the road.

Schedule Strategically

Experts recommend you take your child in to see a pediatric dentist once every six months. You can get more out of these visits with smart planning. Schedule one of their regular dental cleanings for one of the weeks after the holidays. This will help them eliminate all the extra candy plaque and start the new year with fresh smiles.

Contact Wilson Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your child’s dental cleaning to help them recover from the deluge of holiday sweets.