Both natural teeth and teeth with restorations survive best in an oral environment that is clean and where the intake of harmful foods is controlled. Our program is designed to help prevent new cavities, preserve teeth that have been restored and manage periodontal disease.

At the initial visit, oral hygiene instructions are reviewed and are reinforced at subsequent recall visits. The following are helpful recommendations:

Brush your teeth twice a day in a circular motion with a soft bristled toothbrush aimed at the gum
Floss every night in an up and down motion while keeping the floss in a U-shape and against the tooth surface
Avoid smoking
Avoid sticky sugary foods
Eat a balanced diet
Use antiseptic and fluoride rinses as directed
Sealants placed on young permanent teeth

Understanding when teeth develop helps parents know what to expect and when to seek care.

Primary (Baby) Teeth Eruption

Children have 20 primary teeth that typically emerge between 6 months and 3 years of age:

Central incisors: 6-12 months
Lateral incisors: 9-16 months
Canines: 16-23 months
First molars: 13-19 months
Second molars: 23-33 months

Permanent Teeth Eruption

Children develop 32 permanent teeth that replace primary teeth between ages 6 and 21:

First molars: 6-7 years
Central incisors: 6-8 years
Lateral incisors: 7-9 years
Canines: 9-12 years
Premolars: 10-12 years
Second molars: 11-13 years
Third molars (wisdom teeth): 17-21 years

Proper brushing is essential for cleaning teeth and gums effectively. Use a toothbrush with soft, nylon, round-ended bristles that will not scratch or irritate teeth or damage gums.

Brushing Technique

Gently brush the outer tooth surfaces of 2-3 teeth using a vibrating back & forth rolling motion. Move brush to the next group of 2-3 teeth and repeat.
Maintain a 45-degree angle with bristles contacting the tooth surface and gumline. Gently brush using back, forth, and rolling motion along all of the inner tooth surfaces.
Tilt brush vertically behind the front teeth. Make several up & down strokes using the front half of the brush.
Place the brush against the biting surface of the teeth & use a gentle back & forth scrubbing motion. Brush the tongue from back to front to remove odor-producing bacteria.

Toothbrush Care

Remember to replace your toothbrush every three to four months. Researchers have established that thousands of microbes grow on toothbrush bristles and handles. Most are harmless, but others can cause cold and flu viruses, the herpes virus that causes cold sores, and bacteria that can cause periodontal infections.

Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque between teeth that brushing misses. Floss should be used at least once a day.

Flossing Technique

Wrap the floss between your thumb and forefinger of both hands
Start with the molars and progress systematically through all teeth
Wrap the floss around each tooth in a U-shape
Work up and down several times on each side of every tooth
Use a fresh section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth

Tips for Parents

Frequency: Floss at least once daily, preferably before bedtime
Initial bleeding: Some bleeding may occur at first but typically resolves with consistent practice
Floss options: Available in waxed, unwaxed, plain, and flavored varieties
Floss picks: These can be easier for children learning to floss independently

Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to decay. It's one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities in children.

How Fluoride Works

Fluoride helps in two ways:

Topical fluoride: Applied directly to teeth through toothpaste, mouth rinses, and professional treatments
Systemic fluoride: Ingested through fluoridated water and absorbed into developing teeth

Professional Fluoride Treatments

During your child's dental visit, we may apply a concentrated fluoride varnish to their teeth. This quick, painless treatment provides extra protection between visits. The varnish is brushed onto the teeth and hardens quickly when it contacts saliva.

After Treatment

Your child can eat and drink immediately after fluoride varnish application. We just recommend soft foods (not crunchy) for the rest of the day, and brushing/flossing can be postponed for several hours.

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of children's back teeth from decay. The back teeth have small pits, grooves and rough uneven surfaces where food particles and germs can become trapped—even when brushing carefully.

How Effective Are Sealants?

According to the American Dental Association, sealants reduce the risk of cavities in molars by approximately 80%. This makes them one of the most effective preventive treatments available.

The Procedure

Applying sealants is quick and painless—no drilling, no needles:

The tooth is cleaned and dried
A gel is applied to roughen the surface slightly (helps the sealant bond)
The sealant material is brushed onto the tooth
A special light hardens/cures the sealant

When to Get Sealants

Sealants should be applied to permanent molars as soon as they erupt—before decay can develop:

First molars: Around age 6
Second molars: Around age 12

Sealants are durable and last several years. Their condition is evaluated at each dental checkup and reapplied as needed.

Toothaches in children can have several causes, from cavities to erupting teeth to something stuck between teeth.

Common Causes

Tooth decay (cavities)
Tooth eruption (new teeth coming in)
Food trapped between teeth
Cracked or damaged tooth
Tooth infection or abscess
Grinding teeth (bruxism)

What to Do

Have your child rinse with warm water
Gently floss to remove any trapped food
Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek if swollen
Give children's pain reliever as directed (not aspirin)
Do not apply aspirin directly to the gum or tooth
Call our office to schedule an appointment

When It's an Emergency

Seek immediate care if your child has a toothache with fever, facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or if pain is severe and unmanageable.

Dental injuries are common in active children. Knowing what to do can make the difference in saving a tooth.

Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Tooth

For a permanent tooth:

Find the tooth and handle it only by the crown (white part), not the root
Gently rinse with water if dirty—don't scrub or remove tissue fragments
Try to place the tooth back in its socket if possible
If you can't replant it, keep the tooth moist in milk, saliva, or saline
Get to our office within 30 minutes—time is critical

For a baby tooth: Do not try to replant. Call us for guidance.

Dislodged (Pushed-In or Out) Tooth

Do not try to move the tooth back into position
Apply a cold compress to reduce swelling
Contact our office immediately

Chipped or Fractured Tooth

Rinse mouth with warm water
Apply cold compress to reduce swelling
Save any tooth fragments if possible
Call our office—we'll determine if emergency treatment is needed

Prevention

Mouthguards significantly reduce the risk of dental injuries during sports. We can provide custom-fitted mouthguards for the best protection and comfort.

Dental Health