Archive | Pediatric Dental Care

To Give Your Child Gluten or Not: Celiac Disease and Your Child’s Oral Health

By Deer Park Smiles on May 15, 2017 in Dental Health, Pediatric Dental Care

It may seem like “gluten free” options are at every grocery store or local restaurant. And even though it can seem like a trendy diet, it is actually a dietary restriction for those who have a condition called Celiac disease. As an immune-mediated disease that occurs when a patient is exposed to gluten, it can cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Additionally, there are oral manifestations to this disease as well which are especially useful to know about if you suspect your child has Celiac. From delayed tooth eruption to a decrease in salivary flow, this article will list a few oral indications that your child may have Celiac disease. Read on to learn more.

Delayed Tooth Eruption

When you’re a new parent, it can be hard not to compare your baby to your friends baby or the babies you see on social media. If your friends four-month-old has started to sprout teeth, and your 8-month-old still doesn’t have one in sight, don’t freak out— that’s normal. Every baby starts sprouting teeth at a different age— anywhere from about 4-12 months on average. If your child is over the age of one and still doesn’t have any signs of teeth, talk to Dr. Janice Scott about it. Although it might not be an issue, it can be indicative of Celiac disease.

Decrease In Salivary Flow

Unless your little one is talking already, this can be a difficult symptom to spot. However, a decrease in salivary cannot only be uncomfortable, but it can also lead to things like dental decay. When trying to analyze if your little one has an issue with their salivary glands, try to notice if they are thirsty more, if their tongue seems dry, or if they have chapped lips. If you do suspect a decrease in their salivary flow, bring them into Dr. Janice Scott as this is also an indication that they could potentially have Celiac disease.

Schedule a Consultation

These two dental symptoms alone aren’t necessarily indicative of your child having Celiac disease. However, if they have both of these symptoms in conjunction to an upset or painful stomach, then it’s worth looking more into. To learn more about Celiac disease and how it can impact your little one’s oral health, call Dr. Janice Scott today at (209) 478-3036 to schedule an appointment.

From Washcloth to Toothbrush: How to Clean Your Little One’s Teeth

By Deer Park Smiles on December 15, 2016 in Children Dentistry, Pediatric Dental Care

Parenting can come with a long checklist of things that you should and shouldn’t be doing, and amidst all of the unknown, it can be hard to weed through all the chatter from other parents. When it comes to your child’s dental health, however, we have created a clear-cut guide that will help you know when you start brushing your child’s teeth and how. Read on to learn more.

Introduce Them With a Washcloth

It takes anyone time to get used to anything, especially little ones. And by experiencing everything for the first time, small things like toothbrushing can be a bit frightening. To get your baby used to the idea of having their teeth brushed, we encourage parents to rub their baby’s gums with a warm, damp washcloth even before they get teeth. Although they may not like the idea at first, once they get used to it and you make it a part of their morning and bedtime routine, it won’t be a big deal.

Switch to a Toothbrush

As soon as your baby starts sprouting teeth, you need to get an infant-sized toothbrush. Available at most drugstores or pharmacies, infant sized toothbrushes are small enough to fit into your child’s mouth and have soft bristles that won’t damage their teeth. Up until your baby is over the age of three or you otherwise get the “okay” from their pediatrician, have them brush their teeth without toothpaste. If swallowed, toothpaste can be harmful to their bodies. By brushing their teeth and gums both morning and night with just water and a toothbrush, you can help get rid of harmful bacteria.

Additionally, once your child starts to get a few teeth, you should schedule their first dentist appointment with Dr. Janice Scott. During their appointment, their teeth will be briefly inspected for cavities and their jaw and neck will be felt for any lumps or abnormalities— a whole dental cleaning won’t take place until they are older.

Schedule A Consultation

By knowing these basic things about your child’s dental care and health, you can ensure that they stay healthy. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Janice Scott’s office today!

Bottle Decay and Thumb Sucking: Two Pediatric Dentistry Issues Defined

By Jude Macapobre on April 15, 2016 in Pediatric Dental Care

Being a parent is both enjoyable and exhausting. However, during those moments of exhaust and complete and utter defeat, it can feel like you’ll do anything to help console an upset child and make them feel better. And although things like giving your child a bottle or allowing them to suck their thumb doesn’t make you anywhere close to a bad parent, after your child starts to sprout teeth, these two methods can cause more dental problems than good.

Baby Bottle Decay

Giving your child a bottle before bed is a great way to soothe them to sleep but after they turn about two years old and they have a mouth full of teeth, that baby bottle is more of a nuisance than anything. By allowing the bottle of milk or juice to rest on their teeth as they sleep, it can cause cavities and tooth decay. Additionally, because your child’s saliva production is slowed down while they are sleeping, the sugars will stay on their teeth for even longer.

Although allowing your child to sleep with their bottle every once in awhile won’t cause any real harm, doing so everyday could cause cavities and a trip to the dentist that you just don’t want to have to take. As a way to wean your child from their bottle, try filling the bottle with water instead of a sugary drink like milk or juice.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a self-soothing mechanism that can start in the womb and continue well into toddlerhood. Although thumb sucking is fine for your child to do before they get teeth, as they develop teeth and get older, thumb socking can put pressure on the child’s upper palate and cause their teeth to move forward. This could result in things like misaligned teeth later on or even in some cases, a speech impediment.

To help to wean off of thumb sucking, try to give them something else to soothe them when they are sleeping or upset, like a stuffed animal or toy.

To learn more about pediatric dental care, contact Dr. Janice Scott today!

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