Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentistry, San Mateo

• What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?
• What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
• What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?
• What do I do if my child has a toothache?
• How can we prevent dental injuries?
• How do I know if my child gets the appropriate amount of fluoride in their diet?
• What is an appropriate diet for my child?
• Can my child’s diet affect their dental health?
• How do I create a diet safe for my child’s teeth?
• Should I eliminate all sugar and starch from my child’s diet?
• What helpful information can you give me regarding tooth decay in infants?

What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

Contact our office as soon as possible.

What should I do if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?

Rinse the knocked-out tooth in cool water. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze. If you can’t put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a container of milk (SALT water if milk is not available). Come to our office immediately. Feel free to call our emergency number if it is after hours. The tooth has a better chance of being saved if you act immediately.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?

Contact our office as soon as possible. Time is of the essence! Our goal is to save the tooth and prevent infection. Rinse the mouth out with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, it may be possible to bond it back to the tooth.

What do I do if my child has a toothache?

Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. To help comfort your child, rinse the mouth with cold water and apply a compress.

How can we prevent dental injuries?

Simple. Wearing mouth guards can reduce or prevent sports-related dental injuries. Childproofing your home can also help reduce injuries at home. In addition, regular dental checkups will contribute to preventative care.

How do I know if my child gets the appropriate amount of fluoride in their diet?

If you do not reside in a community that has fluoridated water or has the appropriate amount of natural fluoride in your well water, your child will need some sort of supplement in their diet. We can help you determine how much supplement your child needs based on their weight, age, current water fluoride levels, and brand of toothpaste.

What is an appropriate diet for my child?

Your child must receive a naturally balanced diet that includes the important nutrients your child needs to grow. A daily diet consists of the major food groups of meat, fish and eggs, vegetables and fruits, bread and cereals, and milk and other dairy products.

Can my child’s diet affect their dental health?

Absolutely. It is important that you initiate a balanced diet for your child so that their teeth develop appropriately. In addition, this will positively affect healthy gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Please note that a diet high in sugar and other forms of carbohydrates may increase the probability of tooth decay.

How do I create a diet safe for my child’s teeth?

As we stated earlier, initiate a balanced diet. Analyze the frequency at which starch-based foods are eaten. These types of foods include bread, pasta, potato chips, etc. In addition, sugar is found in more than just candy. All types of sugars can promote tooth decay. For example, most milk-based products contain sugar. A Peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a favorite for bag lunches. Unfortunately, it includes sugar in not only the jelly but also the peanut butter. Try replacing jelly with fresh fruit slices (apples, pears, or bananas) or chopped dried fruit for less sugar and more flavor and nutrients. Go easy on the peanut butter, though it’s high in fat. Choose the no-salt-added kind for less sodium.

Should I eliminate all sugar and starch from my child’s diet?

Of course not. Many of these foods are incredibly important to your child’s health. Starch-based foods are much safer for teeth when eaten with an entire meal. Foods that stick to teeth are also more difficult to wash away by water, saliva, or other drinks. It’s important you talk to our staff about your child’s diet and maintaining proper dental care.

What helpful information can you give me regarding tooth decay in infants?

Most importantly, don’t nurse your children to sleep, nor should you put them to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula. When a child is sleeping, any liquid that remains in the mouth can support the bacteria that produce acid and harm the teeth. A simple pacifier or bottle of water is fine.