Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

While it may seem that your child should not face the same dental problems as you do because they have only baby teeth, or maybe they don’t have as many of their permanent teeth in, they in fact, face all of the same problems you face.   Plaque and decay can build up on their teeth causing cavities and if the cavity is not taken care of then there may be a need for a more invasive dental procedure such as a root canal.     Preventative dental care is the key to protecting their smile from plaque and buildup. By having them brush, floss and receive routine dental cleanings you can prevent minor problems from turning into a major dental problem. Gum Disease, while it isn’t typical, in children, is possible. You may notice signs of redness or swollen gums. Without proper treatment, it can lead not only to more severe dental problems such as loss of teeth, but it can also lead to health problems later on. Gum disease is an infection that the body is fighting. T...

When your little one gets a cavity you may be thinking there is no reason to get a filling because it is just a baby tooth and it is going to fall out. However, it is important to keep their baby teeth in great shape because it will help ensure their adult teeth are in great shape as well. Once it is determined your child has a filling that needs to be filled, the dentist will determine whether a local anesthetic is needed or not. If they use one, numbing gel will most likely be placed prior to them receiving   the anesthetic. It is critical the dentist is able to complete the process without having your child afraid or moving. There may be a bit of noise as the dentist begins to remove the decay from the tooth and the dental assistant helps to remove the debris and water from the tooth using suction. Once the tooth has been carefully cleaned out, the dentist will utilize a resin material to seal up the hole and adjust the bite for comfort.. For more information o...

When your child brushed their teeth and went to bed the night before you may not have noticed the little black spot that has now taken residence on the enamel of their tooth. This morning when you look, it is clearly there. What do you do? Is this critical? Should it be fixed as soon as possible? Or wait until their next dental appointment? Those small black spots can be an early sign of a small problem that sits on their tooth and becomes a larger problem if not taken care of.   “Even if the cavity is in a baby tooth, it is important,” says Dr. Cameron Fuller , “that you do not wait. Instead it’s important to get the problem take care of as quickly as possible. Cavities that wait can become larger problems causing pain, and may mean missed school and a need for more in-depth dental procedures. Instead getting the cavity taken care of quickly can prevent your child from needing a root canal or other major dental procedure. A cavity that does not get fixed can also le...