TOOTHACHES Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact APDO and we will get you in as soon as possible. It's important that you do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. If your child's face is swollen, apply cold compresses. KNOCKED OUT PERMANENT TOOTH If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap or handle the tooth unnecessarily. If the tooth is not fractured, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. Contact APDO immediately as time is a critical factor in saving the tooth. KNOCKED OUT BABY TOOTH Unlike with a permanent tooth, the baby tooth should not be replanted due to possible damage to the developing permanent tooth. In most cases, no treatment is necessary however you should contact APDO and talk with a pediatric dentistry specialist about your child's unique situation. CHIPPED / FRACTURED PERMANENT TOOTH Time is a critical factor in this situation. Contact APDO immediately to help reduce the chance for infection or the need for extensive dental treatment in the future. Before heading to our office, rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth piece, bring it with you.

Children’s teeth begin forming before birth. As early as four months, the first primary (or baby) teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age three, the pace and order of their eruption may vary. Permanent teeth begin appearing around age six, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. At the age of eight, you can generally expect the bottom four primary teeth (lower central and lateral incisors) and the top four primary teeth (upper central and lateral incisors) to be gone and permanent teeth to have taken their place. The following permanent teeth will begin to erupt around age 9 or 10. This process continues until approximately age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including the third molars (or wisdom teeth).

Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the leftover food particles that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water. For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visits every six months to the pediatric dentist, beginning at your child’s first birthday. Routine visits will set your child up for a lifetime of good dental health. You may also want to consider fluoride treatments or protective sealants. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.

Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanant teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanant front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop. Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, contact Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry. A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO HELP YOUR CHILD GET THROUGH THUMB SUCKING: Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of anxiety, instead of the thumb sucking. Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide comfort. Reward children when they refrain from sucking during difficult periods, such as when being separated from their parents. If these approaches don’t work, remind the children of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night.

Parents are often concerned about the nocturnal grinding of teeth, also called bruxism. Often, the first indication is the noise created by the child grinding on their teeth during sleep. Or, the parent may notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. One theory as to the cause involves a psychological component. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school; etc. can influence a child to grind their teeth. Another theory relates to pressure in the inner ear at night. If there are pressure changes, like in an airplane during take-off and landing, when people are chewing gum, etc. to equalize pressure, the child will grind by moving his jaw to relieve this pressure. The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If excessive wear of the teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard may be indicated. ​ The good news is most children outgrow bruxism. The grinding decreases between the ages of 6 and 9 and children tend to stop grinding between ages of 9 and-12. Reach out to one of our Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Specialists for more information.

When a child begins to participate in recreational activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. A properly fitted mouth guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can help protect your child’s smile and should be used during any activity that could result in a blow to the face or mouth. Mouth guards help prevent broken teeth, and injuries to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. A properly fitted mouth guard from Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics will stay in place while your child is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and breathe.

Tooth brushing is one of the most important tasks for good oral health. However, many kinds of toothpaste and tooth polishes can damage young smiles. That's because they contain harsh abrasives, which can wear away young tooth enamel. When looking for a toothpaste for your child, make sure to pick one that is recommended by the American Dental Association as shown on the box and tube. These toothpastes have undergone testing to ensure they are safe to use. ​ Use only a smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to brush the teeth of a child less than three years of age. For children three to six years old, use a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively on their own. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing. ​ If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. An Amarillo Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontic specialist is always on hand to help out.