Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

            Your child falling can be scary. While it is normal for a toddler to fall as they learn to walk, if they have hit their front tooth it may bleed. You may also notice they have hit hard enough to knock the tooth loose.   A low-sugar popsicle is a great way to help reduce swelling and to keep your little ones’ mind off of having fallen.             Take them to the dentist to make sure they have not caused any major damage to the tooth or mouth. If they do not have any pain, or it does not appear damaged, a regular check-up is fine. If your child is unusually fussy, or if the tooth is cracked or chipped, you’ll want to take them in right away. Dr. Fuller states, “Their fall may have caused nerve damage to the tooth requiring more extensive treatment.”               ...

Baby bottle tooth decay can be a scary and painful problem for a child. It is caused when milk or sugary substances stay on your child’s teeth and is not rinsed away after feeding. The milk turns into bacteria that begin to eat away at the enamel. This then creates cavities and decay.   Don’t PANIC. These four easy tips can help your child avoid getting bottle rot. 1.      Always rinse the mouth or wipe the mouth after the bottle or breastfeeding                   a. After your baby has eaten is when they are most susceptible to this problem. If they do not actually have any teeth, you’ll still want to gently wipe their gums with gauze or a soft cloth. 2.      See your dentist after the first tooth erupts                   a. The first visit to the...

The importance of brushing and flossing does not decrease when your teen has orthodontic work, it actually becomes even more important. "Depending on the type of orthodontics will make a difference on where food and bacteria can grow and hide," says Pediatric dentist Dr. Fuller . Teens who have a removable appliances are not in as high of a risk situation for missing key spots when brushing and flossing, but teens who wear braces are in danger of causing more permanent damage to their teeth if they are not brushing and flossing appropriately. They may need to see their dentist more frequently – generally it is recommended they are seen every couple of months in order to ensure they are not having any problems with their teeth. When teenagers fail to brush or floss the bacteria can grow and attack the enamel of the teeth. And stains can become permanent on the teeth if your teen fails to brush properly.   Brushing and flossing will also help prevent gingiviti...

If your child has fallen and chipped their tooth, it can be scary. Learn what your options are in order to improve their smile. Today’s technology allows for multiple options and ultimately it will depend upon where the chipped tooth is located. Here are three suggestions from pediatric dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller.  If it is a baby tooth that is chipped it is usually recommended that it be left alone until it falls out. Another option is to have the dentist smooth the tooth and afterwards polish it. This is a viable option if the child feels sensitivity when eating and drinking. A filling can be utilized if the chip is too big to smooth. Dr. Fuller recommends using this option for permanent teeth where the chip is large. A crown may be done if the cracked portion of the tooth is larger and there is a risk of bacteria entering the pulp. A root canal may need to be done in order to clean out the infected area, and after a...

Two year olds can be unpredictable and getting them to follow through with cleaning up, eating their vegetables, and brushing and flossing their teeth requires a dedicated, structure which helps them to understand the importance of healthy routines. If you are having trouble getting your little one to brush follow these three simple tips from Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Cameron Fuller.   First, make sure the brush fits in their hand and mouth. You want to have the perfect toothbrush to be comfortable for them. It’ll make it easier for your toddler to want to use the toothbrush on a consistent basis.   Second, use toothpaste with a taste they like. They can be picky at this age. Therefore, it’s important to make sure the flavor is a flavor they can enjoy. You can fight over lots of other things you want them to try, d...

If your child’s teeth are crooked, don’t panic yet. Speak to your pediatric dentist first. Many times baby teeth erupt with lots of space between them. Baby teeth are still shifting and finding the correct space they fit into and the space can be created by a number of reasons. The cause of the spacing will allow for a variety of possible solutions. Dr. Cameron Fuller says, "baby's teeth are the placeholders for permanent teeth, if you fix the space in the baby teeth before the permanent teeth come in, then your child’s permanent teeth may not have enough space to come in correctly and may end up being crooked.      If its permanent teeth you are concerned about, it might be time to consult your pediatric dentist and determine if early intervention could be beneficial. "Once their permanent teeth begin to erupt it might be time to look into opt...

1.      Have them do the research with you       a.   If your child is able to, have them look up some information on the dental procedure they are going to have done. If not, you can create a social story or a small story about the procedure with pictures to support the tale. 2.      Ask their pediatric dentist for more information       a. If you cannot find the information on the Internet about specifics of the dental procedure, ask the dentist. They should be able to get you more information that would be appropriate to share with your child. 3.      Prepare them ahead of time         a.   "Give your child an opportunity to adjust to the information and prepare themselves as is appropriate to their developmental level," says Pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller . Some children may preservate – hu...

1.      Don’t panic       a. It is important that you trust your pediatric dentist. The more relaxed you are the more relaxed your child will be.   If you do not feel comfortable, find a dentist you can trust. If you’re nervous, your baby will feed off of this and become anxious as well. 2.      Ask questions       a. "Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions" says Dr. Cameron Fuller . The more you know the better you will feel. Your child’s dentist should be happy to answer your questions. If they act annoyed, it may not be the right location for you. This can be scary if your child has never had any major surgeries before. Ask what to expect before, during and after the procedure to help ease your mind. Know the side effects and anything you should be aware of. Ask about the recovery time and what to watch for after the procedure.    ...