Pediatric Treatment
In Gulf Breeze, FL
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be a positive and welcoming experience. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment.
While children are not inherently fearful of the dentist, unfamiliarity can cause anxiety. This is why we help you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Dr. Barrineau has been treating children of all ages for over 20 years, and her gentle approach with children creates a fun and safe dental environment.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Recommends…
Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly erupted teeth receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Your child’s teeth should begin to emerge around the age of 6 months, and then again at a year old.
Getting to know your teeth is fun!
To make your child’s first visit to the dentist easier, we recommend prepping them (and yourself) in advance. Here are some tips to make their first visit easier!
- Prepare your child for the upcoming visit with encouraging and age-appropriate language.
- Bring along a comforting toy or other distraction
- Reward them with a special activity or treat afterward
- Make sure that you remain relaxed
First Visit? Here’s What to Expect
A child’s first visit to the dentist is one meant to familiarize them with the dentist, environment, and procedures, so when the time comes for dental work or regular cleanings to be done, your child is familiar enough with the dentist to not be afraid.
Barrineau DDS offers personalized care for every patient, so your child’s early dental exams will look much like yours. We may ask you to hold your child during the procedure to help them feel more comfortable. The dentist will:
Dr. Nicole Barrineau is dedicated to the education of patients and parents, to not only help them and their child feel comfortable but to help them understand and practice preventative oral health care for the best results.
Preventing Tooth Decay with Regular Checkups
Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth.
Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.
Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.
Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s adult teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at regular checkups.
BRUSHING WITH TOOTHPASTE
When a couple of teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste with your child’s brush. Too much fluoride can be dangerous for youngsters, so choose fluoride-free toothpaste unless directed otherwise by your dentist. At this stage, use only a tiny amount of toothpaste.
From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing to prepare for fluoride toothpaste, which should not be swallowed at any age.
AVOIDING CAVITIES
The sugars present in fruit juice, formula, and milk (this goes for breast milk as well) can cause decay, which is why regular teeth and gum cleaning is vital. Don’t give your baby any sort of sweetened liquids such as flavored drinks or soda.
Also, make sure your baby never goes to bed with a bottle; sugary liquids in prolonged contact with teeth make childhood tooth decay much more likely.
FIRST VISIT TO THE DENTIST
It’s recommended that you bring your baby in for a visit within six months of the first tooth’s eruption—usually around their first birthday.
Since decay can occur in even the smallest of teeth, the earlier your baby visits us, the more likely it is that you and your child can avoid problems with their smile. We’ll look for any signs of early problems with your baby’s oral heath, and check in with you about the best way to care for your little one’s teeth.
SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE
As part of the natural learning process, little ones are expert mimics, and you can take advantage of this talent.
Brush and floss daily while your child is watching, and he or she will learn at an early age the importance of brushing their teeth. As soon as your child shows interest, offer a toothbrush of his or her own and encourage your toddler to “brush” with you. (If you go to the toothbrush section at most stores, you’ll find toothbrushes with chunky, short handles that are easy to grip.)
Most children don’t have the dexterity necessary to thoroughly clean their own teeth until they’re about six or seven, so you’ll have to do that part of the job. Try different tactics to make brushing fun: flavored toothpaste, a toothbrush with a favorite character on it, or singing songs about tooth brushing.
The primary goal is to instill healthy oral habits at an early age to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth!
DENTAL CARE FOR BABY IN GULF BREEZE, FL
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! Are you prepared for the arrival of your baby’s first tooth? Follow these guidelines and your child will be on the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
CARING FOR GUMS
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, the gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your baby’s gum tissue. Doing this regularly clears your little one’s mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process of building good daily oral care habits.
BABY’S FIRST TOOTH
When that first tooth makes an entrance it’s time to upgrade to a baby toothbrush. There are usually two options: a long-handled toothbrush that you and your baby can hold at the same time, and a finger-puppet-like brush that fits over the tip of your pointer finger. In each case, the bristles are soft and few.
At this stage, toothpaste isn’t necessary; just dip the brush in water before brushing. If your little one doesn’t react well to the introduction of a toothbrush, don’t give up. Switch back to a damp washcloth for a few months and try the toothbrush again.
During the teething process, your child will want to chew on just about anything, and a baby toothbrush with a teether can become a favorite toy during this period.
When New Teeth Arrive
Your child’s first primary teeth, also called baby teeth, will begin to erupt between the ages of 6 and 12 months and will continue to erupt until about age 3. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore.
To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.
Your child’s primary teeth will come loose and fall out at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin growing at age 6 and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).
If you have questions about teething or dental milestones, please ask at your next appointment, or call us today.
Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits
As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can damage a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing at least two times a day, but you can brush up to four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth-brushing procedures with your child.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.
Pediatric Dental Emergency Care
If your child faces a dental emergency, give us a call immediately. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our emergency number. We are always here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk.
Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations. You may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.
Bitten Lip or Tongue
If your child has a bitten lip or tongue severe enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is. If the bleeding will not stop, or a portion of their tongue has been detached, immediately visit an emergency room.
Object Caught in Teeth
If your child has something caught between his or her teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.
Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth
If your child has chipped or broken a piece off of a tooth, rinse his or her mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.
Knocked-Out Tooth
If your child’s tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it’s in the gums). Place the tooth in a clean container with milk. Call us immediately and/or head to the hospital. If you act quickly it’s possible to save the tooth.
Loose Tooth
If your child has a very loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled. If the loose tooth was an adult tooth, contact us immediately.
Toothache
If your child complains of a toothache, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and inspect the teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If the pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain.
Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Children’s pain relievers may be taken orally. Schedule an appointment immediately.
Broken Jaw
If you know or suspect your child has sustained a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call our emergency number and/or head to the hospital immediately.
In many cases, a broken jaw is the result of a blow to the head. Severe blows to the head can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
Avoiding Injury
You can help your child avoid dental emergencies. Child-proof your house to avoid falls. Don’t let your child chew on ice, popcorn kernels, or other hard foods.
Always use car seats for young children and require seatbelts for older children. And if your child plays contact sports, have him or her wear a mouthguard. Ask us about creating a custom-fitted mouthguard for your child.
Finally, prevent toothaches with regular brushing, flossing, and visits to our office.
Set Them Up for Success with Pediatric Dental Care in Gulf Breeze
The best preventative healthcare starts with childhood habits and regular dental check-ups. If you want to learn more about pediatric dentistry or how you can set your little ones up for lifelong success, give our Gulf Breeze, FL, office a call today.
We are conveniently located just 15 minutes from East Hill, Navarre and downtown Pensacola, making us easily accessible for families throughout the area. We’re happy to help you and yours establish healthy habits that will keep them confident and smiling for years to come.