Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

Does your child smile and share their pearly whites with you and it makes you cringe? Do you tell them to brush and floss only to wonder if they really did it? Here are five different things you may notice about your child's smile that could be telling you something more. 1.      Yellow stains on their teeth. This can be due to not brushing and plaque building up. It can also be indicative of foods they are consuming that is leaving stains on their teeth. Having a dental cleaning can help to determine what is the problem and then help your child to start off with a healthy white smile. 2.      Bleeding or puffy gums. Similar to adults, children’s gums should not bleed on a day to day basis when they brush. If they are bleeding when they brush it could be due to them not flossing. Helping them develop proper flossing routines can ensure they develop healthy habits from a young age that they can carry over as they get...

A dentist can seem like just another place you take your child, but the relationship that you and your child has with their pediatric dentist can save them from a lifetime of problems with their smile and their teeth. Children who do not regularly brush, floss or visit the dentist tend to have more decay and problems that require major dental work. If you trust the pediatric dentist, your children will trust the dentist too. Pediatric dentists can help to reinforce some of the behaviors that parents fight with their children to adhere to. When your child visits the dentist and they see firsthand the impact that not brushing or flossing has on their smile and they hear it from someone other than you, it can help build positive habits for a lifetime. Let your child’s dentist back up and support your positive dental message today. The pediatric dentist is specially trained to help provide dental help to your child. Their schooling requires them to atten...

It is not uncommon for your two-year-old to crawl up into your lap and take a drink of your water, or take a bite off of your fork, but did you know bacteria can be transmitted from mother to child? If you are sharing saliva with your child and you have periodontal disease they are more likely to have cavities and other dental problems. Here are 5 tips from Dr. Fuller and the pediatric team at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands, that can help decrease the chance of your child having dental issues. 1.      Don’t share utensils. Keep a plate with their own utensils next to your food. Only allow them to eat off of their own plate and their own fork. 2.      Don’t share cups. There are different types of cups that your child may prefer to drink out of, but always having an option is better for your kiddo then sharing with them. 3.      Don’t share gum. While it may be tempting to just tear some o...

1.      How do I introduce the brushing process with my child? a.      It is really important to get them used to using a toothbrush from a young age. To get them started you may want to have them just chew on one as you’re getting ready for your day or as you are getting ready for bed at night. The sooner you begin to introduce a toothbrush the easier the process is. 2.      What are the signs of a more serious dental problem with my child? a.      If your child is complaining of sensitivity, or pain in their mouth, take it seriously. It may end up being nothing, but left unchecked it can turn into something that is extremely painful for your child.   If your child all of sudden develops sleep issues that are unexplained in other ways, they may have a tooth that is bothering them. 3.      What snacks are best for my child? a.      De...

If your child has never had x-rays it can seem scary to them. They may have to climb up into a bigger chair, have a lead apron placed over them and a machine that moves around their mouth to get a picture. However, x-rays are critical to allow the dentist to see anything that is brewing in the places they cannot see. It can help the dentist to make sure there is no root damage, gum tissue problems or any abnormal growths. Helping your child to understand the importance of x-rays can help to alleviate their fear. Your pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller , will take every precaution in order to make sure that they are exposed to the minimal amount of radiation. And the conversation you have with your child ahead of time can help to dispel any anxiety they may be feeling. There are four types of x-rays that Dr. Fuller can use. Each one has a different purpose and shows a different picture of what is going on in their mouth. Show your child an example of...