8/5/2015 4:31:00 PM |
Anonymous
Good parenting can be difficult, especially when it involves
important decision-making processes that directly affect the health and safety
of our children. We want to protect our children from harm, but we also want to
teach them how to function responsibly in our world. So, when it comes to
sedating our children for general dental procedures, where do we draw the line
and what approach should be taken?
When is Dental
Sedation for Children Acceptable?
Each person’s situation is unique and what may be right for
one patient may not be the correct approach for another. We evaluate each case
individually and make the best decision for each patient on a case-by-case
basis.
Generally, sedation during dental procedures is recommended when
the procedure is more involved and time-consuming, and there may be concerns
with the child’s anxiety during the procedure. A root canal is a good example
of when dental sedation would be considered for a minor.
Avoid Complications with
Non-Sedation Dentistry
There are medical risks involved with sedation dentistry for
any age group. Complications can potentially arise depending on the patient or
the specific circumstances as there is no risk free sedation method.
Non-sedationdentistry eliminates problems that include:
·
Sickness or Nauseous after the procedure
·
Children will not be lethargic, confused or
disorientated after the procedure is complete.
·
Non-sedation methods will not impact school,
daycare or other physical activities after the procedure is complete.
·
The extra cost of the drug and administration
when applicable.
The Pros for your
Child When Opting Out of Dental Sedation
You can provide your child with the education and skills
they will need to successfully maintain their long-term oral health by just
opting out of any dental sedation while they are young and still growing.
Children learn very quickly that to avoid getting cavities,
they must make good food and drink choices and improve their brushing and
flossing habits. By avoiding sedation you not only decrease the cost of your
child’s dental care, but also eliminate the potential risk of side effects.
7/21/2015 11:49:00 AM |
Anonymous
Pediatric and family
dentists alike are known to emphasize good brushing and flossing routines when
patients visit the dentist. Children need time to develop a routine and the
ability to clean their teeth on their own. A toothbrush is much easier to hold
and manipulate than floss so parents should take the time each evening to
ensure that their teeth are flossed properly.
When do I start flossing my child’s teeth?
As your child’s teeth
develop, the gaps between them begin to shrink. Once neighboring teeth are in
close proximity, parents can begin flossing their child’s teeth. Depending on
your child’s development, this could be as early as age 2 ½.
When should a child start to floss their own teeth?
Once your child has
reached school age, you will want them to start flossing their own teeth. The fine motor skills needed
to floss correctly may not be developed yet, parents may need to follow up with
a more thorough flossing after their child has had a chance to try on their own. It is essential to take these moments to help
give pointers on how to improve.
- Give your child a visual prompt
to suggest the length of floss, perhaps a towel rack or the length across the
sink.
- Demonstrate how to gently wrap
floss around their fingers to keep it from being too tight.
- Let them watch you floss so
they can mimic your movements.
- Repeat tips often until your
child has mastered the task.
When will my child be able to floss alone?
Depending on your
child’s fine motor development, he/she may not be able to floss alone until
after the age of ten. At that point flossing should be a routine part of your child’s
bedtime regimen each day.
Making the flossing habit stick!
You want your child to
floss every day, your pediatric dentist does too! Building good habits are
easier for some children so it may take some extra leg work on the parents’
part for those kids who may be more forgetful.
Here are a few tips to
help get the flossing routine to stick:
- Keep the floss next to their
toothbrush and toothpaste
- Place a checklist next to the
sink so they remember each step - use pictures clues for non-readers
- Hang a calendar in the bathroom
and let your child check off or place a sticker each day after they floss.
Just remember, every child
is different and your plan may need adjustments for other children in the home.
7/8/2015 7:52:00 AM |
Anonymous
Minerals
and vitamins are the building blocks of our body's overall health and immune
system. Calcium, for example, helps us grow strong bones and teeth, while
potassium plays an important part in nerve function and muscle control. In a
similar fashion, our teeth benefit from fluoride.
What
is Fluoride?
Fluoride
is a mineral found in the earth's crust and in foods such as fish, and tea.
Fluoride is also added to treated water supplies, in addition to toothpaste and
mouthwash. It strengthens developing tooth
enamel during infancy and early childhood years. This typically happens before
the teeth push through the gum tissue. Fluoride also helps strengthen the
enamel found on permanent teeth, which reduces the effects of acidic bacteria
on teeth and gums.
The
benefits of fluoride have been extensively researched and documented since the
early 1900's, when scientists discovered that a lack of fluoride in drinking
water resulted in widespread tooth decay and gum disease.
Modern
Fluoride Treatment
Today,
fluoride is an active ingredient in virtually every toothpaste on the market
and can be found in many over-the-counter mouthwashes. According to the
National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, 200 million people
receive fluoridated water, and over 13 million children take part in a
school-based fluoride mouth-wash program. As a result, tooth decay has declined
and is considered to be a preventable condition for most people.
- Dentists use concentrated
fluoride treatments when treating a
variety of dental conditions, such as gum disease
- Cracked teeth
- Untreated
cavities
- Exposed roots
- Dry mouth
Fluoride
treatment is typically included during regular dental cleanings, particularly
for patients with poor oral hygiene and diet, immune-suppressing illnesses,
extensive prior dental work, or those who haven’t had a thorough dental
cleaning in a while.
If
you have any questions, or you would like to know more about concentrated and
intensive fluoride therapy, please contact North Scottsdale pediatric dentist,
Dr. Noel W. Korf. Fluoride education and treatment are incorporated into his
preventive education and care procedures for the area’s youth. Instilling good
dental habits and understanding of oral health is a large part of his practice.
Visit www.drkorf.com for
more information about pediatric dental services in North Scottsdale.
6/4/2015 5:25:00 PM |
Anonymous
We're excited to announce the official launch of our Noel W. Korf, DDS blog.
We'll be posting helpful dental tips, news from the dental industry, news from our practice, and more about the latest in dentistry.
We built our practice on the notion that we're there for our patients when they need us and we want our online presence to be a reflection of that principle. We hope this blog provides an extra level of service to our current and future patients.
If you would like to stay up to date on the latest from Noel W. Korf, DDS, simply click the RSS “Subscribe to feed” link located on our website and subscribe. Our subscribers will be updated when we make a new blog post.
Here's to your best oral health ever!