Dental treatment and safety concerns for children, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
Children, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - Dental Treatment, Techniques and Safety Concerns
Care of Children's Teeth
All treatment decisions are based on the philosophy that we treat your family
the same way we would want our own family treated.
Dr. Mark, as most children call him, understands that a unique and individual approach is required to treat children (and most adults). We aim to make sure that everyone enjoys their visit, leaves with a smile, and is excited to return for the next appointment.
Dr. Mark truly believes that overcoming the anxiety of visiting the dentist is closely tied to changing your perceptions through positive experiences.
Techniques used to help children enjoy their experiences at Westmount Dental:
Hyperactivity, resistive movements, refusing to maintain an open mouth can interfere with providing dental care.
Our goal is to help your child enjoy the dental experience. We try to obtain their cooperation with friendly persuasion.
The following are some techniques we use to eliminate disruptive behaviour and prevent accidental injuries:
Parent's Role as the Silent Partner: Parents are always welcome to observe their child's treatment, yet we recommend that you remain in the reception area as space in our treatment rooms is limited. If you decide or we request for you to be present, we rely on your presence as the silent instrument for your child's comfort. We understand the parent's desire to verbally reassure and comfort, however, it is important to understand that young children have the capability of listening to one person at a time, who, in this instant, must be the dentist. Tell, Show, Do: The child is told what to do using simple words and then shown what is to be done on a model or a finger. Then the procedure is done as told. It is important that children know what to expect and they show less anxiety when they do. For this reason we prefer to do the explaining and ask the parent not to do so at home. The techniques we may use often differ from those used in adult dentistry. For instance, in our explanations to children, we use age-appropriate vocabulary and we do NOT use the words needle or hurt, or any other word that a child would associate with negatively. Positive Reinforcement: A reward is given to the child who displays a positive behaviour. These may include praise, compliments, a high-five and a prize. Laughing Gas: Nitrous-oxide sedation is calming and also eliminates the gagging reflex.
Tooth Decay (cavities) and the impact it can have on a child's growth and development
Tooth Decay (cavity) has many causes, including poor oral hygiene, drinking and eating too many sweets or sleeping with a bottle of milk. If your child sleeps with the bottle it should have water only.
Baby teeth are "made" differently than adult teeth. It may take a few years for a cavity to form in permanent teeth however, it can develop in only SIX MONTHS in a baby tooth. Decay can develop so quickly in a child that they may not feel any pain until the it is either extremely deep or infection has developed.
Early detection and treatment are critical in lowering the risk of requiring invasive dental treatment.
Young children with untreated decay are more likely to weigh less than their ideal weight. They may show decreased intellectual, emotional and physical development. Since cavities may be painful these children may experience problems sleeping, become introverted and shy, or develop poor eating habits.
Proper oral hygiene for children consists of ...
Brushing
- Start brushing when the first tooth appears.
- For infants (0-9 months of age) use a moist Q-tip or gauze, and no toothpaste.
- For toddlers (9m - 5yrs) use an appropriately-sized toothbrush.
- Parents should brush their child's teeth twice per day for up to two minutes until their child has developed the proper coordination to brush themselves. Parents should always supervise when children are first learning to brush their teeth.
- Since young children cannot spit, toothpaste without fluoride must be used to avoid the irreversible effects of excessive fluoride (e.g. irreversible staining and pits).
Flossing
If neighbouring teeth are in contact, the parent should floss their child's teeth daily. This routine should be maintained up to an age when the child can successfully floss on their own (usually age 8-10).
If there are large spaces between teeth, which is normal, then flossing may not be needed until their teeth come into contact, which may occur as your child grows.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash, in general, may be too irritating to the sensitive skin of the mouths of children. Mouthwash containing fluoride should only be given to children while under parental supervision and if recommended by a dentist.
Regular Dental Visits
Children should visit the dentist every six months for a check-up starting soon after their first teeth erupt. A cleaning and fluoride treatment should be done for the first time by age 2. Regular visits to the dentist allow for early detection and management of problems.
It is always easier for a child to have dental treatment performed on them whenthe problem is small and if they are not in pain.
Tooth Injuries - Do's and Don'ts
This section is a guide only if you cannot contact a dentist immediately after your child's injury.
ALWAYS consult a dentist or an emergency medical service for ANY type of dental trauma, as the tooth may not be the only thing that is broken or damaged (e.g. other teeth, jaws or joints).
If the tooth is PUSHED IN:
- Baby tooth - Do not touch. It may have damaged the developing adult tooth and may need to be extracted. It will require an x-ray and an examination as soon as possible.
- Adult tooth - Do not touch the tooth until an x-ray can be taken. The tooth may return to its original position on its own or it may need to be repositioned and treatment for the damaged nerve.
If the tooth is OUT OF PLACE:
- Baby tooth - Do NOT touch. Depending on the severity, it may need to be extracted.
- Adult tooth - If an immediate examination with a dentist is not possible, push it in and align with the other adult teeth. Give your child an anti-inflammatory medication (e.g. ibuprofen, as per directions), soft foods only and call the office for the next available appointment for an examination.
If the tooth is FRACTURED:
If the fractured piece can be found, we may be able to bond it to the tooth using special adhesives. Otherwise, your dentist may be able to place a restoration to acheive the tooth's original contours and esthetics.
If the tooth is KNOCKED OUT:
- Baby tooth: Do NOT put the tooth back into your child's mouth. Provide your child with an anti-inflammatory (e.g. chidlren's Advil) or a pain-killer (e.g. children's Tylenol), as per directions), and Call our office for an examination.
- Adult tooth:
- The tooth should be immediately placed back into its socket or, if obviously contaminated, rinse off any dirt and debris under cool running water for 10 seconds. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any tissue. If possible, gently place the tooth in its socket and hold it in place with constant gentle pressure until treatment is performed. Contact our office immediately for treatment.
- If immediate placement is not possible the tooth should be stored in milk, salt-water or cool water and the child, with the tooth, must be seen by a dentist or emergency service immediately. Do not allow the tooth to dry out.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Dental Treatment
How a woman cares for her teeth during her pregnancy can affect her health and her developing baby.
You may experience dental problems during the course of your pregnancy, including bleeding gums, bad breath, cavities, and sensitivity. Once the baby is born many problems, with the exception of decay, reverse themselves. If you do not have healthy teeth and gums before you become pregnant, these problems may worsen and remain after your baby is born.
Studies have shown that bacteria in a woman's mouth can get into her blood and cause other health concerns such as an increase in the severity of heart problems and diabetes. Bacteria can also travel through the placenta and cause premature birth and low birth weight.
Treatment During Your Pregnancy
It is recommended that pregnant patients come in for a cleaning twice throughout their pregnancy. If you have bleeding gums, sensitivity or decay, it is advisable that you seek treatment. While routine dental work can be done safely during pregnancy, the safest time is during the second and third trimesters. However, be aware that as you get into your third trimester you may not be able to lie comfortably in a dental chair. Therefore, see your dentist early.
X-rays During Your Pregnancy
Having radiographs taken during pregnancy is always a big concern for expecting mothers. In the past, they were right to be concerned; radiation dosage was high and not focused onto a small area. Today's digital radiographs have changed that. They are not only highly focused and expose a very small area of the body, but also greatly reduce the amount of radiation, making them safe for the mother and her developing baby.
Treatment if you are Breastfeeding
It is safe to have dental treatment if you are breastfeeding. Local anesthetics do not cross through into breast milk and therefore will not impact the baby.
Thank you for considering Westmount Dental in the heart of Thornhill.
We offer family dentistry and cosmetic dental care to adults and children. We provide a wide range of services including surgical extraction of wisdom teeth, laughing gas sedation, deep cleaning and periodontal treatment, tooth bleaching, root canal treatment, esthetic bonding, porcelain veneers, laser whitening, dentures, and the surgical placement of dental implants.
We are available for emergency dental treatment and we provide free consultations.
It would be a pleasure to care for you and your family. Come in to our office or view the images for a tour of our facility.
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