Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

Your child should first visit the dentist when their first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. This first visit is really important because most of the time your child is not experiencing any pain or problems allowing the visit to be more fun.  On their first visit to their pediatric dentist, Dr. Fuller at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands andAssociates they will complete an oral exam to make sure there is no decay or other problems developing. If your child is old enough, you should explain what they can expect from the visit. Dr. Fuller recommends, “Do not mention words that may scare your child. Words such as shots or needles.” This first visit will allow you to discuss any concerns you are having, however, it will also establish a healthy pattern for your child and allow them to see how important preventative care is. During the visit you may want to discuss brushing and flossing routines with the dentist and your child....

 Half the battle with insurance is knowing what your insurance will cover and won’t cover. Routine, preventative check-ups are usually covered for children.   Most plans cover cleanings, x-rays and a portion of other treatments. While insurance can be a tricky game of elusive information, it is important that you understand what is and is not a benefit of your dental insurance. Dental insurance works very similar to your medical benefits. For a premium you are entitled to particular benefits. You may also have dentists that are inside and outside of your network. Before scheduling an appointment with a pediatric dentist for your child, if you are concerned about maximizing your benefits,   you may want to check to see if the office accepts your insurance. While this process can be long and frustrating, taking some extra time before the appointment to verify information can save you from trouble later on. Pediatric Dentist Cameron Fuller, suggests, “Hav...

Studies conducted by the American Academy of Pediatric dentistry have found that tooth decay,” is the single most common chronic disease in America,” ( American Academy of Pediatric dentistry .) In fact, rates of tooth decay are higher than asthma, obesity and diabetes in children. Your child does not have to be a part of this statistic because you can prevent tooth decay by establishing healthy preventive dental measures. Tooth decay begins with high sugary or high acid substances that stay on the teeth,or gums, for a long period of time. Decay usually occurs around age six when the first permanent teeth erupt. However, habits that are put in place with your child before their first permanent teeth come in can make a difference.   For example, after breastfeeding or when your baby has had a bottle, wipe off their gums with a tooth wipe. It is highly recommended by pediatric dentist, Dr.Cameron Fuller , “Never put your baby to bed with a bottle.” The mi...

When baby teeth are loose it is because the permanent tooth underneath is pushing on the root until the root dissolves and the tooth falls out. However, sometimes the permanent tooth does not have enough room or the root is not able to dissolve the root fast enough. The result of this is that the permanent tooth comes up behind the baby teeth. Although, there are multiple reasons why this might happen, it usually resolves itself on it’s own. “Shark teeth, as this is called is not necessarily cause for concern,” suggests Dr. Fuller .   This condition actually impacts approximately one in ten children. If you discover that the baby tooth is not loose you can schedule an appointment with the dentist and they can extract the tooth. "Once the permanent tooth has come in, if there still is not enough room for the permanent tooth, your child may need to have a procedure called, 'disking,'completed," says Redlands pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron F...

Tooth decay occurs when food or milk is left on the teeth for a period of time. The longer milk is left on the teeth, the more acid is created in the mouth. Plaque on the teeth eats away at the tooth enamel. Although, milk is a great source of calcium, you want to teach your child to brush their teeth after consuming a glass of milk. You will also want to avoid leaving a bottle in your baby’s crib. As infants suck on the bottle, the milk stays on the teeth overnight. This twelve-hour time frame allows for an exponential amount of plaque and acid to attack your child’s teeth.             Dr. CameronFuller, your Redlands, California Pediatric Dentist recommends, “After your baby has drank some milk, if they are under a year old, use a baby toothbrush and brush the gums to remove any milk from the surface. Once teeth come in, gently brush the teeth in circles after your child has consumed anything other than water.” ...

Your child’s maxillary frenum surgery is complete. Now what? If your child experiences discomfort after their surgery it is okay to give them the recommended dose of Tylenol for their weight/age. Most children, after laser surgery, do not experience any discomfort at all. They may have a small amount of bleeding, which should stop relatively soon after the procedure. Once your child is home, continue proper oral health care – this means brushing and flossing twice a day. Depending on whether your child had an upper or lower frenectomy you will want to brush the area right below the surgery site gently to remove all of the plaque build-up from food. As the mouth begins to heal, be careful that the area effected doesn’t stick together. Pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller recommends, “Lift the lip twice daily to prevent it from sticking to the surgical area.” Hard foods should be avoided for at least forty-eight hours after the surgery has been comp...

The consequences of waiting on tongue-tie surgery are varied. Depending on your child they may struggle with low self-esteem as they work to say correct sounds in front of their peers. Tongue-tie or maxillary frenum or lip frenum is when the thick piece of skin that attaches your lip to your gums is thicker then normal or is attached between the two front teeth. Although, it may be recommended by your doctor to wait to have surgery, pediatric dentist, Dr.  Fuller, pediatric dentist at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands and Associates suggests that you have surgery right away. “Studies have found that children who do not have the laser surgery at an early age, struggle to pronounce specific sounds correctly. This drastically decreases their ability to be understood,”adds Dr. Fuller.   “Tongue-tie can inhibit them from being able to move their tongue around the mouth in the correct position to say certain sounds.” For example, when you say the sound ‘L’ yo...

Your child has an appointment for frenum surgery now what? You have visited the cheerful and supportive team at Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands and Associates and Dr. Fuller has suggested laser surgery to take care of your child’s maxillary frenum or tongue-tie. The laser he uses is a carbon dioxide laser. There is little to no bleeding when a laser is used versus scissors. Scissors can be very painful for the patient. When scissors are used the site bleeds and usually requires sutures. Using a laser reduces the side effects, including pain, swelling, sutures, overall bleeding and reduces the recovery time. This procedure also requires your child to be in the chair for a shorter amount of time, because the wound can be cauterized. A two-day baby up to a one-year old may not lie still while the dentist and their team completes a long procedure in their mouth.   This is why Dr. Cameron Fuller is very happy about technology advancements in laser surgery fo...