Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

1. Provide floss in a flavor they like          a. Your teen will find lots of things to argue with you about, don’t let flossing and healthy habits be one of them. Find a flavor of floss they really like to encourage healthy habits without having to nag them to do it. "If you find they have asked for a flavor but still are not using it, encourage them to go to the store with you in order to pick out the kind they like," states Dr. Cameron Fuller.    2. Providing floss holders that make it easier             a. Floss holders have a plastic handle that the floss wraps around and creates a longer handle for teens to get the floss inside their mouth, which also allows for teens to reach back teeth. They come in multiple colors and different sizes in order to fit in your teen’s mouth easier.        3. Pediatric dentist Dr. Full...

            Staining on your child’s teeth can be very concerning, especially if you are not sure what is causing the staining. There are multiple causes of discoloration. The foods they eat and drink may be impacting the look of their smile. Pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller, "some foods such as some berries and ketchup are more likely to cause stains to remain on the enamel of their teeth after they brush. If you are concerned about staining look at reducing the amount of sugar or caffeinated drinks they consume and reducing foods that have food dye in them.             Polish, which your pediatric dentist will do at their six-month routine cleaning is very helpful in keeping their teeth white and can reduce the amount of staining. This procedure is safe and will be done every six months. If you notice there is more discoloration than normal have the dentist t...

Your kids may tell you they are going in the bathroom and brushing their teeth but in order to ensure they are check for these simple things. 1.      Bad breath is the number one indicator that your child has not done a great job of brushing their teeth in the morning.   If they do not use enough toothpaste the smell may be slight but you should not be able to smell anything but their toothpaste. 2.      Look for staining on their teeth. "Staining begins to appear if tarter or calculus is building up on their teeth from improper brushing," says Dr. Cameron Fuller.   If they drink plenty of water and do not eat a lot of foods that have high staining probability you should expect to see white teeth when they smile. 3.      Their toothbrush lasts longer than three months. Toothbrushes should be switched out at least every three months. If their toothbrush looks like it is in pristine condition, it is probably no...

   1. Make sure the brush is comfortable for their hands and mouth             a. Your teenager’s body is changing at a rapid pace. In order to ensure they are able to keep up with the hygiene demands of being a teenager, it is important to make sure they have a toothbrush that fits in their mouth correctly. You do not want to fight them brushing their teeth everyday, but if the toothbrush is not comfortable to them or is too big or too small it can create a dramatic situation unnecessarily exaggerated by other hormone changes going on with them.      2. Dr. Fuller suggests,"that your teenager see the dentist regularly and more frequently if they are in orthodontic treatment or wear an appliance."             a. Everyone should visit the dentist at least every six months for a cleaning to ensure there are no problems with...

Does your child have stains on their teeth that don’t go away when they brush? This can be concerning and you may wonder why. While the issue may seem to be a cosmetic issue, only some staining requires a change in something they are eating or consuming in order to get the teeth back to their white color. When you first notice the staining, Dr. Fuller recommends you make an appointment to ensure that the staining is just that. Stain and not decay. If it is stain, Dr. Cameron Fuller, may recommend a cleaning and assist your child in brushing to make sure they are completing the process correctly. Discoloration of the teeth might also be helped if you have them cut back on foods that can stain the teeth.,for example, juices with bright colors or soda can cause stains on the teeth. Also some fruits or processed foods are high in dyes that cause staining. On the other hand you may want to increase foods that increase the whiteness of their teeth. Strawberries...

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...

Depending on the level of decay that your child has or the amount of cavities will depend on how often and what type of x-rays will be used for your child. Dental x-rays are taken in order for Dr. Fuller to see everything that is going on in your child’s mouth below the gum line. A panoramic x-ray is the one where they will sit in a big chair or stand and pictures are taken of the whole mouth. They show all of the teeth in one shot. They also show the bone structure in the jaw, the sinuses above the upper teeth, as well as the temporomandibular joints.   This type of x-ray does not place anything in your child’s mouth. A panoramic x-ray may also be recommended if they have injury to their face, in order to get a full picture of any damage that may have been done. Another type of x-ray that may be recommended for your child is called bitewing x-rays.   This type of x-ray is usually not recommended until your child’s back molars have erupted. B...

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...