There are many areas in your child’s mouth that the dentist can’t see during a regular examination, like under the gums or inside the teeth. That’s when X-rays can be quite useful. Dentists won’t typically recommend an X-ray unless they’ve done a full clinical examination and still have some unanswered questions about your child’s teeth or oral health.

Here are some cases where a dentist might recommend an X-ray:

• To figure out if there’s room in your child’s mouth for all incoming teeth
• To determine if your child is losing primary teeth quickly enough to make room for all permanent teeth
• To check for preliminary development of wisdom teeth or any teeth unable to emerge from the gums (known as impacted).
• To check for early signs of tooth decay
• To look for any developmental abnormalities like cysts or tumors

Types of X-Rays

There are several types of X-rays, each one serving a unique purpose. Depending on what dentists are trying to find out, they might order any of these types of X-rays:

Bitewing

A bitewing X-ray studies the crowns of the upper and lower teeth in one area of the mouth, for instance, the molars and premolars. It can be used to looking at cavities or decay between teeth and monitoring previous fillings’ wear or breakdown.

Periapical

Focusing on just one or two teeth, periapical X-rays show the entirety of your child’s tooth, from crown to root.

Occlusal

By tracking the placement and development of the entire arch of teeth in either the top or bottom jaw, occlusal X-rays can be used to see how the teeth fit together when your child bites down.

Panoramic

A panoramic X-ray will show your child’s whole mouth in one X-ray – all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. These X-rays can be used to see emerging teeth, impacted teeth, or tumors.

Are X-Rays Safe?

Now you might know more about when X-rays are needed for your child but do you still have questions about their safety? According to Mouth Healthy by the American Dental Association, dental X-rays are safe. They will expose your child to low radiation levels, but the possibility of experiencing any harmful effects is also low. Additionally, most dental professionals follow the new pediatric X-ray guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration. These guidelines recommend that “medical X-ray imaging exams be optimized to use the lowest radiation dose needed.”

As a parent, it’s natural to have safety concerns about X-rays, but understanding the benefits and risks of dental X-rays and talking to your child’s dentist can help you figure out the best thing for your child.

The post Dental X-Rays for Children first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

No parent ever
wants to see his or her child suffering from discomfort. When a pediatric
dental emergency occurs, you may ask yourself, “Where can I find emergency
pediatric dentists near me?” Fortunately, the help you need can be found with a
call to our children’s dentist office.

Where to Find
Emergency Pediatric Dentists

When your child is
experiencing a dental emergency, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as
possible. Postponing care can lead to unnecessary complications and could
require more extensive treatment. We offer compassionate care in a welcoming
environment. We understand that many children are uncomfortable when visiting
the dentist, so we strive to make every child feel safe during the treatment process.
If you suspect that your child is suffering from oral pain or another dental
emergency, please contact our office to schedule treatment at (860) 388-0142.

What Are Children’s
Emergency Dental Services?

Pediatric dentist
emergency care includes any urgent dental services that quickly relieve a
child’s oral pain. These services can also repair structural damage to a tooth
or address other issues that could worsen if left untreated. Dr. Edmonstone
also provides restorations and pain management solutions, if needed. Please
call our office if your child requires the following services:
 

• Treatment for oral pain,
  including toothaches or feelings of pressure
• Emergency tooth removal
• Emergency repair of
  fractured, chipped, or avulsed teeth
• Wisdom tooth discomfort
• Repair of missing tooth
  fillings or crowns
• Treatment for dental
  infections

When to Call for
Pediatric Dentist Emergency Care

I’m not sure if my
child’s symptoms are a sign of a pediatric dental emergency. When is it time to
look for emergency pediatric dentists near me?

If your child is
experiencing any of the following conditions or symptoms, he or she may need
urgent dental care. Please get in touch with our office if you observe any of
the following:

Broken or Fractured
Teeth

It’s not uncommon
for children to suffer from broken or fractured teeth as a result of sports or
other activities. If this occurs, gather as many pieces of your child’s tooth
as possible. Using dental wax to cover the broken edges of a tooth can help
reduce the risk of injuring other parts of the mouth.

Knocked-Out
(Avulsed) Teeth

A child with
knocked-out teeth should be evaluated by a dentist as quickly as possible. For
older children, gently place the tooth back into its socket after cleaning it
with warm water. Do not place a knocked-out tooth inside a younger child’s
mouth, as he or she may swallow the tooth. If you need further instructions,
call our children’s dentist office (860) 388-0142.

Severe Toothache
Pain and Pressure

If your child is
complaining of a toothache, it’s time to call a pediatric dentist for emergency
dental services. Ask your child if he or she is experiencing feelings of
pressure or ear pain along with the toothache.

Tooth Sensitivity

Like adults,
children often suffer from tooth sensitivity. However, the causes are usually
different. Toddlers and young children sometimes experience pain in their “baby
teeth,” and older children may experience sensitivity due to an injury or
cavity. Sensitive teeth in children should be evaluated by a dentist.

Dental Decay
(Cavities)

Both baby teeth and
permanent teeth can be affected by dental decay (cavities). Fortunately, during
childhood cavities can be successfully treated. If your child is experiencing
tooth pain or sensitivity, he or she should be examined for cavities.

Dental Abscess

An abscessed tooth
is an extremely painful infection that forms inside the tooth’s root. If an
abscess is present, your child may suffer from swollen gums, fever, or a bad
taste in his or her mouth. Call our children’s emergency dentist office
immediately if you suspect a tooth abscess, as the infection can spread to
other areas of your child’s body if left untreated.

Lost and Loose Fillings

Older children who
have had tooth fillings placed may experience a dislodged or even a missing
filling from time to time. If your child has a lost or loose tooth filling,
call our office right away to make an appointment.

Worn Tooth Enamel

If your child is
suffering from oral sensitivity, he or she may have tooth enamel that’s worn
down by grinding or other causes. Treatments are available to strengthen your
child’s enamel and relieve any discomfort.

What to Do When the
Problem Is Serious

I think my child’s
dental health problem is serious. Should I search for emergency pediatric
dentists near me or visit an area hospital?

At Dr. Edmonstone’s Pediatric Dental office, we are committed to helping your child achieve great dental health. However, some dental issues require more intensive treatment than a pediatric dentist emergency care office can provide. Call 911 or visit a local hospital if your child experiences the following:
 

• Severe swelling around the
  face and gums
•  Uncontrollable oral
  bleeding
• A sudden, painful injury to
  the teeth, jaw, face, or head

Please call our office today to schedule your child’s next dentist
visit (860) 388-0142

The post Emergency Dental Care first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

Overview

Fluoride is a mineral
that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the oceans. Research has
shown that fluoride not only reduces cavities in children and adults, but it
also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay is
visible. Fluoride is the best cavity fighter to help keep the whole family’s
teeth strong — no matter their ages.

How Does FLUORIDE Strengthen Your Teeth?

When it reaches your
teeth, fluoride is absorbed into the enamel. It helps to repair the enamel by
replenishing the lost calcium and phosphorous to keep your teeth hard. This
process is caused remineralization. When fluoride is present during
remineralization, the minerals deposited into the tooth enamel help strengthen
your teeth and prevent dissolution during the next demineralization phase.
Thus, fluoride helps stop the decay process and prevent tooth decay.

When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical?

It is certainly important for infants and children
between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is
the timeframe during which the primary and permanent teeth come in. However,
adults benefit from fluoride, too. New research indicates that topical fluoride
— from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments — are as important
in fighting tooth decay as in strengthening developing teeth.

The post What is Fluoride and why is it beneficial to your teeth? first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth).

Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot
completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent
decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with
fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy
diet.  

Is
Fluoride Varnish Safe?

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and
doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a
small amount is used. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off
after 4 to 12 hours.  Most children like the taste. 

How
is Fluoride Varnish Put on the Teeth?

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of
each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in
contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue
but will not be able to lick the varnish off. 
It does not hurt when the varnish is applied.

The post What is Fluoride Varnish? first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

Halloween Candy vs. Cavities: Don’t Make Kids Choose

Don’t deny your children the Halloween experience. That can send the entirely wrong message — deprivation — and make candy seem even more irresistible, leading to other problems. They may end up sneaking sweets or eating too much candy once they’re out on their own. Instead, let them have the joy of Halloween in all its sticky goodness and the experience of going to a party or trick-or-treating.

After your children get back from trick-or-treating or a party, go through their bags of Halloween candy together. Tell them to each pick the 10 or so (whatever number you decide, based on factors such as age) treats they want the most.

Get the unpicked treats out of sight. You can donate them to a food bank or freeze them if you can’t bear to throw them out.

This can also be a good time to teach (or remind) children that it isn’t just excess sugar that can lead to cavities. Snacks such as pretzels, with starches that stay in the mouth longer, can also lead to cavities, as can fruit juices.

Letting children help decide what is a reasonable amount of candy to keep has benefits beyond good oral Health. The message isn’t “candy is bad,” but that candy and other sweets, in excess, can lead to cavities. Children learn two important lessons:

• How to control their diets
• That what they eat relates to oral health, not just physical health

Preventing Cavities in Children: Set a Treat Time

With your child, set a time of day to eat Halloween candy. This ritual “treat time” may last for a short time after Halloween and help promote healthy thinking about treats:

• Children learn that eating sweets shouldn’t be an all-day feast. Moderation is key.
• Knowing they have a specific sweet time can help make children less inclined to think about eating sweets at other times of the day.
• Be sure to brush after!

Work Cited:

Kathleen Dohenyhttp://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/5-tricks-for-dealing-with-halloween-treats#1 accessed 9-19-17

The post Tricks for dealing with Halloween Treats first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

It’s hard to imagine that spring is here and summer is on it’s way, but before you know it-The kids will be out of school and summer activities will begin! Dr. Edmonstone’s office in Old Saybrook, Connecticut have some helpful tips and advice to help keep your child’s teeth healthy this Spring/Summer and and all year long! Accidents are bound to happen and taking precaution and fast action can make or break your summer if a dental emergency arises.

• Athletic kids may suffer from unusual tooth wear and should see their dentist on a regular basis.
• Custom fitted mouth guards are great for kids who take part in contact and non-contact sports such as little league baseball, soccer, football, basketball and even tennis.
• Seek emergency dental treatment immediately if a tooth is knocked loose or falls out.
• Make sure your kids are not skipping their brushing and flossing routines. They may forget since they no longer have a regular “school routine” in place.
• Try to skip out on as many sugary snacks as possible this summer. Studies show that frequent snacking on sugary sweets can cause an increase in cavities. Check out our snacking guide below to help you and your children make the best choices when it comes to snacking.

Snack Guide

Best Snacks:

• Fresh Fruit
• Raw Veggies
• Milk
• Nuts
• Cheddar Cheese
• Unsweetened fruit juice
• Wheat crackers
• popcorn

Okay On Occasion Snacks:

• Chocolate
• Oatmeal or Butter Cookies
• Ice Cream
• Raisins

Unhealthy Snacks: 

-The items listed below should be avoided or only be given as “Treats” on occasion, and should always be apart of a good Brushing/Flossing routine at home-

• Soda, cola
• Dried Fruits
• Granola Bars
• Sticky Candy
• Potato Chips
• Fruit Rollups
• Sandwich cookies
• Presweetened cereals

Dr. Edmonstone and his staff are committed to providing the best dental care for your Children. We have a wonderful team of qualified dental professionals who will create a positive experience for you and your children. Please call us today  at (860) 388-0142 to schedule your cleaning appointment before the new school year starts! Enjoy your Summer!            Website accessed 6/12/17 11:20am http://www.abcdentalmissouri.com/your-kids-teeth-and-summer/

The post How to maintain good oral hygiene this Spring & Summer first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

Halloween Candy vs. Cavities: Don’t Make Kids Choose

Don’t deny your children the Halloween experience. That can send the entirely wrong message — deprivation — and make candy seem even more irresistible, leading to other problems. They may end up sneaking sweets or eating too much candy once they’re out on their own. Instead, let them have the joy of Halloween in all its sticky goodness and the experience of going to a party or trick-or-treating.

After your children get back from trick-or-treating or a party, go through their bags of Halloween candy together. Tell them to each pick the 10 or so (whatever number you decide, based on factors such as age) treats they want the most.

Get the unpicked treats out of sight. You can donate them to a food bank or freeze them if you can’t bear to throw them out.

This can also be a good time to teach (or remind) children that it isn’t just excess sugar that can lead to cavities. Snacks such as pretzels, with starches that stay in the mouth longer, can also lead to cavities, as can fruit juices.

Letting children help decide what is a reasonable amount of candy to keep has benefits beyond good oral health. The message isn’t “candy is bad,” but that candy and other sweets, in excess, can lead to cavities. Children learn two important lessons:

• How to control their diets
• That what they eat relates to oral health, not just physical health

Preventing Cavities in Children: Set a Treat Time

With your child, set a time of day to eat Halloween candy. This ritual “treat time” may last for a short time after Halloween and help promote healthy thinking about treats:

• Children learn that eating sweets shouldn’t be an all-day feast. Moderation is key.
• Knowing they have a specific sweet time can help make children less inclined to think about eating sweets at other times of the day.
• Be sure to brush after!

Work Cited:

Kathleen Dohenyhttp://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/5-tricks-for-dealing-with-halloween-treats#1 accessed 9-19-17

The post 5 Tricks for Dealing with Halloween Treats first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

It’s hard to imagine that spring is here and summer is on it’s way, but before you know it-The kids will be out of school and summer activities will begin! Dr. Edmonstone’s office in Old Saybrook, Connecticut have some helpful tips and advice to help keep your child’s teeth healthy this Spring/Summer and and all year long! Accidents are bound to happen and taking precaution and fast action can make or break your summer if a dental emergency arises.

• Athletic kids may suffer from unusual tooth wear and should see their dentist on a regular basis.
• Custom fitted mouth guards are great for kids who take part in contact and non-contact sports such as little league baseball, soccer, football, basketball and even tennis.
• Seek emergency dental treatment immediately if a tooth is knocked loose or falls out.
• Make sure your kids are not skipping their brushing and flossing routines. They may forget since they no longer have a regular “school routine” in place.
• Try to skip out on as many sugary snacks as possible this summer. Studies show that frequent snacking on sugary sweets can cause an increase in cavities. Check out our snacking guide below to help you and your children make the best choices when it comes to snacking.

SNACK CHART 

Great Snacks

• Fresh Fruit
• Raw Veggies
• Milk
• Nuts
• Cheddar Cheese
• Unsweetened fruit juice
• Wheat crackers
• popcorn

Okay On Occasion Snacks

• Chocolate
• Oatmeal or Butter Cookies
• Ice Cream
• Raisins

Unhealthy Snacks

• Soda, cola
• Dried Fruits
• Granola Bars
• Sticky Candy
• Potato Chips
• Fruit Rollups
• Sandwich cookies
• Presweetened cereals

Dr. Edmonstone and his staff are committed to providing the best dental care for your Children. We have a wonderful team of qualified dental professionals who will create a positive experience for you and your children. Please call us today  at (860) 388-0142 to schedule your cleaning appointment before the new school year starts! Enjoy your Summer!

Website accessed 6/12/17 11:20am http://www.abcdentalmissouri.com/your-kids-teeth-and-summer/

The post Your Kids Teeth and Summer first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

The best way to avoid any truly tricky consequences in the aftermath of Halloween is not to consume any candy at all.  However, we know that’s highly unlikely, so below you will find  a Halloween candy guide to help protect your kids from tooth decay and thereby ensure their optimal oral health for life:

Below is a listing from most harmful to the safest treats your kids should be choosing from their trick-or-treat bag:

Sour Power – Sour candies are the absolute worst in that studies have revealed that the acids in sour candies are so destructive because they dissolve enamel on contact!

Hardly Harmless – Hard candy needs to be sucked on for an extended period of time and very chewy candies are harmful in that they get stuck between the teeth. Both hard and chewy candy allow bacteria to wreak havoc on your child’s teeth for a much longer period of time.

Resist Raisins – Don’t be fooled by their natural derivative. Raisins easily damage dental work because they are very sticky and do not mix well with fillings, braces or retainers.

Candy Bars Get Four Stars – While we can’t say candy bars are good for your oral health, they are less harmful because they are eaten quickly allowing less time for the sugar to damage with acid.

Dissolve Your Worry – Powder candy is fairly safe as the sugar dissolves quickly and makes little contact with the teeth.

Eat Two or Three if They’re Sugar Free – As obvious as it seems, sugar-free candy is the most highly recommended Halloween treat for your children’s teeth. You can even prevent cavities by chewing sugar free gum! Sugar free gum promotes increased saliva which neutralizes harmful bacteria.

If your little monsters will be in need a routine dental cleaning after Halloween give us a call and book an appointment today!

Halloween Candy Donations– Did your child receive more than enough candy this year while trick or treating? At Dr. Edmonstones Office we are accepting any wrapped Halloween candy that you would like to donate to the local food bank. Any candy donations are appreciated and we will deliver the candy to the food bank for you!

Sources:

http://www.knowyourotcs.org/tool/halloween-and-your-childs-teeth/

http://www.risedental.com/blog/halloween-oral-hygiene/

The post Halloween Oral Hygiene: Keeping your Child’s Smile Healthy first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.

The Importance of Regular Dental Visits

Make dental visits part of your oral hygiene routine. Dental visits for children and adults should be every six months. Visit your dentist twice a year (or as recommended by your dental professional) to help keep tooth stains under control and identify oral hygiene issues before any serious problems arise. Have you ever wondered why the American Dental Association and your dentist recommend you come back every six months? It’s because regular dental visits are essential for the maintenance of healthy teeth and gums. And in between those examinations, it’s important that you work to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. It might help to think of coming to the Dentist twice a year like going to your Medical Doctor for your routine physicals. It is important to have regular dental exams and cleanings to be able to keep your mouth and gums healthy year after year.

What Goes On During a Regular Visit

Checking your teeth for tooth decay is just one part of a thorough dental examination. During your regularly scheduled dental appointments, we will look at your gums, mouth, tongue and throat. There are several routine parts to a dental examination: Don’t be surprised if the dentist also examines your face, bite, saliva and movement of your lower jaw joints (TMJs). Your dentist or dental hygienist will then clean your teeth and stress the importance of you maintaining good oral hygiene at home between visits. We will pay special attention to plaque and tartar. This is because plaque and tartar can build up in a very short time if good oral hygiene is not practiced between visits. Food, beverages and tobacco can stain teeth as well. If not removed, soft plaque can harden on the teeth and irritate the gum tissue. If not treated, plaque can lead to gum disease.

The Best Oral Hygiene Routine

An effective oral hygiene routine starts with a few simple steps:

• Brushing: To get the best oral hygiene results from toothbrushing, hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gums, according to the American Dental Association. Use short strokes to move the brush over each tooth. For complete oral hygiene, be sure you brush your teeth at least twice a day, including the front and back sides of all your upper and lower teeth. Also, gently brush your tongue. The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months to maintain oral hygiene.
• Flossing: Flossing helps maintain oral hygiene by removing bacteria from areas between the teeth that are hard to reach by brushing alone. To floss your teeth, start with an arms-length piece of floss, and wrap most of it around the middle finger of one hand. Wrap a small amount around the middle finger of the other hand. Move the floss carefully up and down between each tooth, and make a C-shape with the floss as you reach the gum line. As you move from tooth to tooth, maximize oral hygiene by unwinding new floss from one hand and wind the used floss onto the other hand. *Flossers are also a good alternative to flossing and may be easier for children and anyone with dexterity issues to use.

• Rinsing: You can also include a dental rinse (mouthwash) as part of your oral hygiene routine. A dental rinse is often recommended for additional oral hygiene if you wear braces.

Choose toothbrushes and types of dental floss that you find easy and comfortable to use and you’ll be more inclined to stick with your oral hygiene routine.

Sources:

1. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/basic-dental-care-overview
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tips-keep-teeth-white
3. http://www.ada.org/en/
4. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/basic-dental-care-home-treatment?page=2
5. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/care-of-braces-retainers

The post The Importance of Regular Dental Visits first appeared on Robert L. Edmonstone, DDS.