Pediatric Dentistry of Redlands

              It can be unnerving and stressful when you take your child to the dentist, especially if they are not comfortable or are crying and feeling anxious. When you hear the words that your child needs a crown this can be even more stressful, but a necessary dental tool to help improve the health of their smile. Here are 4 reasons why your child may need a crown. 1.      They have tooth decay that has compromised the structure of the tooth. A filling may not be enough to support a tooth that has too much decay. 2.      The tooth may be broken or chipped significantly. In this case a crown will be placed to recreate the tooth structure that has been lost. 3.      A crown allows your child to eat and drink foods that they would regularly consume. 4.      The tooth has become infected. When this occurs the pulp may need to be re...

Are you worried that your teen is keeping things from you? While this can be a difficult time of childhood for children, their smile can help reveal if there is something more than teenage angst going on with them. Here are 4 common things to look for with their smile if you suspect that something more may be going on with them. 1.      23% of teens use a tobacco product. If your teen is smoking they may begin to have signs of yellow plaque that builds up on their teeth. Their gums may appear puffy and red and they may bleed when they are brushing or flossing their teeth.   Or when they get close to you they smell like mouthwash. Many teens attempt to use mouthwash to cover up the smell on their breath. 2.      Drug use is another common problem these days among teens. If they are using you may see an increase in cavities, their teeth, depending on what drugs they are using and how often, may become brittle and break or chip. They ma...

It may be nerve racking to see your child in the chair getting a dental procedure done. If they are in pain or struggling it can be even more difficult to let the dentist be alone with your child to do what they need to do. Dr. Cameron Fuller says that over time the perspective on whether a parent should stay with their child or not during dental procedures has changed, but he says it depends on several factors as to whether it is best for you to stay or wait in the waiting room.   1.      The age of your child. If your child is below the age of 5, they may not be ready for you to leave them. Sitting next to your child or having them on your lap can improve their trust in the dentist and allow for a calm dental visit. 2.      The dental procedure that is being completed. If your child is getting a routine cleaning, it can be very beneficial for the parent to be in the room in order to hear how well your child is doing with brushing ...