Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Many infants and young children find sucking on fingers, thumbs, pacifiers, and other items to be soothing, and it is a completely natural reflex. These children often find a sense of security from it and it can help them fall asleep.

Thumb- and finger-sucking that continues once permanent teeth have come in can cause problems. The level of dental issues it might cause depends on the intensity of the sucking. Children who vigorously suck may have more dental issues than those who are more passive about having a thumb or finger in their mouth.

In any case, it’s best that children stop the habit before the permanent front teeth start to come in. Usually children from ages two to four will cease the thumb-sucking on their own. Those who don’t usually will succumb to peer pressure once they start grade school.

There are those children who find it more difficult to break the habit. Here are some suggestions that might help:

• Use positive reinforcement. Don’t chastise children for thumb sucking. Praise them when they are not doing it instead. Reward them during particularly difficult times that they haven’t engaged in the habit.
• Comfort children who might be doing it because they feel anxious or insecure.

If these gentle approaches don’t do the trick, you can have your child wear a sock at bedtime or put a bandage on the thumb to remind them of the habit.

If the habit persists, we might recommend a mouth appliance.

Many people wonder about the importance of baby teeth because they will be lost during childhood and replaced by permanent teeth. But it is imperative to keep these first teeth healthy.

Baby teeth, which are also called primary teeth, are significant for a number of reasons:

1. They enable a child to chew and eat properly.
2. They provide spacing and guidance for the permanent teeth to erupt properly.
3. They permit development of the bones and muscles of the jaw.
4. They impact speech development.
5. They help provide an attractive appearance, which in turn helps your child gain self-confidence.

Although they begin forming before birth, your child’s first teeth will usually erupt sometime between the ages of six months and one year. The lower central incisors are the first to come in.

Most children will have all 20 of their primary teeth by the age of three. Although the front teeth will be replaced by permanent teeth around the age of six or seven, children will keep their back teeth until they reach adolescence—sometime between 10 and 13 years of age.

Dental x-rays are a necessity when it comes to the diagnostic process for your child’s dental health, and they shouldn’t be skipped. Dental x-rays allow us to see beyond what can be seen by the naked eye, including health conditions that might need treatment. Without an x-ray, dental conditions can be missed and left untreated. It’s important to remember that when dental problems are detected early, treatment is more comfortable for your child—and for your wallet.

We ascribe to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendations for x-rays: Children should have them done twice annually; children who are at a higher risk for tooth decay might have x-rays done based on their individual risk level of developing cavities.A full set of x-rays, including panoramic and bitewings, is recommended every three years.

For parents who are worried about the safety of x-rays, they needn’t be. Parents should keep in mind that your pediatric dentist is particularly careful about using all safeguards available to protect your child from radiation exposure. With today’s high-speed equipment and safety measures such as lead body aprons and shields, the amount of radiation exposure is minimal and the risk to your child is negligible. It is far more worrisome to let a dental problem go undetected and untreated.

If you are unsure about what to do if your child has an urgent dental matter, you can always give us a call. If you have a true after-hours emergency (such as facial swelling or a knocked-out permanent tooth), call the office and the doctor will be available to respond shortly.

We have also included some guidelines here to help you make a decision on what to do.

• For toothaches, have your child rinse thoroughly with warm water and use a toothbrush or dental floss to remove and food debris. If your child is still in pain, Children's Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) is recommended as directed on the bottle. Call to make an appointment as soon as possible to prevent more severe problems.
• For a chipped tooth, rinse the mouth out with water and apply and cold compress to the injured lip or cheek. Locate the fragment and bring it with you to the office. Call us right away and we will fit you in the same day.
• If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, find it if you can. Handle it by the crown, rather than the root. You can rinse it carefully with water or saline. If you don’t see any fractures or other damage to the tooth, your child can try to hold the tooth in place by biting down on a piece of gauze. Bring your child in to Little Smiles Dentistry immediately. Time is of the essence if the tooth is to be saved.
• If a baby tooth has been knocked out, make sure that your child did not swallow or aspirate the tooth. This usually does not require treatment but call our office to schedule an appointment so that we may evaluate proper healing. 

For serious injuries, such as a blow to the head or jaw, or if bleeding of the mouth will not stop, take your child to the nearest emergency room immediately.

It is important to note that not all dentists who treat children are pediatric dentists. There is specific training that all pediatric dentists must undergo.

• A pediatric dentist receives an extra two to three years of training beyond dental school that focuses on the oral health of children.
• A pediatric dentist is focused on the oral health of children of all ages, from infants through the teenage years.
• A pediatric dentist focuses on the differences in dealing with children, particularly in terms of their behavior, growth, and development.

Pediatric dentists are specifically trained to deal with problems that are unique to children. For example, when a child might need a root canal on a tooth that is not fully formed, your dentist will need to approach this much differently than on an adult’s tooth.

Dr. Stefan Ionescu is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has a specific interest in working with children. He loves children and feels like he can relate to them particularly well.  Like other pediatric dentists, he knows how important it is for children to feel comfortable and happy at the dentist. This is one of the reasons he enjoys bringing in his therapy dog to the office, a goldendoodle named Zorro.

Making sure your child brushes his or her teeth at least twice each day (or after every meal or snack) is a big part of taking good care of their oral health. It also establishes good habits that can last a lifetime. But there are so many choices available for toothpaste, many parents might wonder which one is best.

Keep in mind that some toothpastes or tooth polishes might be too harsh for young smiles. Many contain abrasives that can be tough on a child’s tooth enamel.

When you are seeking the right toothpaste, make sure you find one that is recommended by the American Dental Association. If you look at the tube and the box, you will see the ADA designation if it is approved. These toothpastes have been tested to ensure their safety for children.

There are also many flavors available, so have your child choose one that he or she will like. The best toothpaste for your child is one that he or she will use, and often a fun flavor will provide just the incentive needed for regular brushing. Toothpaste that contains fluoride is the best for preventing cavities.