1. Does pregnancy affect my oral health?
Most definitely YES! When you’re pregnant, there is an increase of different hormones in the body that exaggerates the way your gums react to irritants such as plaque. Gum tissue might respond to plaque by swelling up and forming a lump on the gums called a pregnancy or pyogenic tumor. Thorough brushing and flossing of your teeth twice a day to remove the plaque and bacteria and eating a balanced diet will keep your gums healthy and prevent these “tumors”.

2. Can I still go to the dentist during my pregnancy?
Yes, you should continue with regular dental visits and come in for routine exam and cleaning every 6 months. However, please let us know you are pregnant so we can coordinate your treatment plan accordingly.

3. Can I have X-Rays taken during pregnancy?
Yes. X-Rays are safe and our newer machines have very little radiation. There is much less radiation from dental X-Rays than from walking around on a sunny day! X-Rays are a vital tool used to detect dental and other oral health problems. We are very conscientious of you health and only the X-Rays that are necessary will be taken and you will be asked to wear a lead apron for extra protection.

4. When will my infant begin to get teeth?
Every child is different and development will vary. On the average, most infants will start to teeth around 6 to 12 months. The lower teeth usually come in before the top teeth.

5. When should I begin to brush my infant’s teeth?
You should start even before your child has teeth! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and cool water. It is usually best to have them lie with their head on your lap. By starting early, your child will be used to having you clean his/her teeth and will adopt a good habit early on.

6. How much fluoridated toothpaste should I use when brushing my child’s teeth?
First of all, do not use fluoridated toothpaste on your child until age 2-3. When you do use it, make sure to use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. You want to make sure your child can spit after brushing and not swallow the paste. Although there are no known harmful effects of swallowing fluoride, young children who swallow too much fluoride can be susceptible to dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is spotting of the teeth. It can range from white to brown spots. While dental fluorosis is not harmful, it may cause cosmetic blemishes on your child’s permanent teeth. If you have any questions about how much fluoride to use on your child, please call and I will be happy to discuss it with you.

7. When should I take my baby to the dentist?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists, parents are encouraged to bring their child to the dentist when the first tooth erupts, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. The key to bringing in a child at an early age is to detect problems early on and to familiarize the child to his/her dentist before any problems arise. The worst thing you want is to have your child fall, break a tooth, and rush them to an unfamiliar dentist just to have your child more scared with all the new faces, lights, and sounds while you fill out records. A child’s first visit to dentist should be time for exploration where they get to meet the staff and familiarize themselves with dental toys in a pain-free atmosphere. Their first visit shouldn’t be when they are already in pain. When this happens, their view of dental care will be scarred and they might grow up to be scared of going to the dentist. I believe that once children get to know everyone in the office and are familiar with lying on the chair and having their teeth cleaned and counted, they grow up paying great importance to their oral health. If a cavity were to ever occur in the 6 months interval when we see them, your child will be less nervous because he or she is familiar with us looking in their mouth.

8. How can I prevent my baby from getting baby bottle tooth decay?
Baby bottle tooth decay is a result of sugary liquids such as juice, milk and soda pooling around the infant’s teeth over long periods of time. When you put your child down to sleep, it is best not to let him sleep with any bottle. If you must give him a bottle, then only put water in the bottle. Most parents put their infants down with milk. But even milk can cause baby bottle decay. Baby bottle decay is when the infant’s teeth turn brown to black from decay caused by the sugary liquids kept in their mouth over night. Remember to also brush your child’s gums and teeth twice a day!

For complete information, please visit our Education Section and Services Section, there you will find video content that will better explain the various dental procedures available and how South Valley Dentists can help.