Author: Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

While it may seem obvious to encourage a mouthguard to protect your child’s permanent teeth, it might surprise you how important a mouthguard is to the long-term health of your child’s mouth — even before the baby teeth are lost. Continue reading to learn more. 

The Importance of Mouthguards at Any Age

Full-Mouth Protection

While your child’s baby teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth, his gums, jaw, and tongue will not be. A mouthguard is a simple way to provide full-mouth protection during any high-speed or contact sport. 

As soon as your child begins participating in sports, you’ll want to invest in a mouthguard. This will help to ensure your child’s baby teeth remain in place until the permanent teeth are ready to come in. It will also minimize the chance that your child experiences the trauma of cut gums, tongue issues, or a broken jaw. 

Your Child’s Mouth and Jaw Are Still Developing

Your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders to create the necessary space for the permanent teeth to come in. Losing those teeth prematurely can directly affect the way the permanent teeth develop and could result in costly expenses such as spacers to maintain the necessary gaps. 

Likewise, your child’s jaw is still developing and is not as strong as you may think. Damage to the jaw is a major trauma that could affect the way your child’s mouth develops as well as basic functions such as eating, drinking, and speaking. A mouthguard can provide added stability and protection for kids participating in contact sports.

Good Habits Last a Lifetime

Another reason to invest in a mouthguard when your child is young is to make the habit of using one second nature as he gets older. Just as you teach healthy oral hygiene habits like flossing and brushing, teach your child the importance of protecting his teeth during physical activity. This will instill healthy habits which will affect the long-term health of your child’s mouth and teeth. 

Early Orthodontic Services in Greenville, NC

If your child is showing interest in high-speed or contact sports, schedule an appointment to request a custom mouthguard at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer early orthodontic care in Greenville, North Carolina. We also offer emergency dental care if your child experiences a sports-related injury. Contact us today to schedule your next appointment. 

In light of current conditions, is it safe for you to take your children to their regular dental appointments? Continue reading to learn more. 

Why Teeth Cleaning Is Still Necessary During Lockdown

Your Child’s Teeth Require Preventative Care

Because children tend to consume more sugary snacks and drinks than adults, problems that may seem minor at first can escalate quickly. Your child’s cleaning appointments are not only an excellent way to prevent future cavities and tooth decay, they are a great way for dentists to identify problems that could quickly develop into cavities if no action is taken. 

We take every precaution to keep your child as calm and comfortable during dental procedures such as tooth fillings, but these procedures can be quite intimidating, especially to younger patients. It is vital to honor your child’s cleaning appointments to avoid costly and more invasive procedures down the road. 

We Are Taking Extra Health Precautions

If you or any of your family members have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 or if you’ve recently developed symptoms, please reschedule your appointment. However, if you’ve taken appropriate precautions to stay safe and healthy, you can rest assured that we are working hard everyday to do the same. 

We are closely monitoring conditions as they change and are staying up to date with the recommendations provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

Some general precautions we are taking include fewer appointments to ensure there is adequate space to socially distance yourself from others in the waiting room along with shorter waiting times. Surfaces are regularly disinfected and hand sanitizer is readily available and encouraged. You’ll receive a few health screening questions via email prior to your appointment so we can help monitor the health of our patients before they arrive. 

To read the full list of precautions we are taking to maintain the health of our patients and staff, you can read our Practice Health and Safety Statement. 

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Greenville, NC

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist who is taking every precaution during this pandemic, we are accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of pediatric dentistry treatments in Greenville, NC. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.

It’s a common assumption that braces are a cornerstone of the teenage experience. In fact, if you have a younger child, braces may not have even crossed your mind yet. 

The age at which each child may need to pursue orthodontic services is unique and dependent on a number of factors. Continue reading to explore some common reasons why you may need to start considering braces for your child. 

When to Start Thinking About Braces for Your Child

Once Permanent Teeth Come In

There is really no set age as to when a child may be referred for their first orthodontic appointment. In most circumstances, it is difficult to know with certainty which orthodontic services may be required before your child’s permanent teeth start to come in — generally around the age of 7. X-Rays and imaging can provide your child’s dentist with some insight into how and when the permanent teeth may erupt. 

It is important to note that just because your child may be referred to an orthodontist at a young age, this does not necessarily mean your child will immediately need braces. It just means the orthodontist will help monitor changes in your child’s teeth as they erupt to determine when the best time to use braces will be.

Teeth Are Overcrowded

If your child’s teeth appear to be overcrowded, this could affect how the rest of their permanent teeth grow in. If there is little room for the back molars or permanent teeth to erupt, your child’s teeth or bite could become misaligned without the use of space maintainers or orthodontic services. 

An Uneven Bite

Orthodontists specialize in problems related to both the teeth and jaw. If your child shows difficulty chewing or swallowing because the teeth do not meet or the jaw is misaligned, this could result in earlier conversations about braces, headgear, or other orthodontic appliances. 

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Wilson, NC

The good news is that while it may be helpful to be aware of these factors affecting when your child may require braces, your child’s dentist is well aware of these factors and will monitor the growth of your child’s teeth during routine cleanings. If your dentist sees a need for braces, she will recommend or refer your child to a local orthodontist. 

If you do not yet have a pediatric dentist for your child, we are accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We are proud to partner with parents by providing a variety of pediatric dentistry services in Wilson, NC. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.

In light of the ever-growing list of responsibilities you have as a parent, helping your child develop strong, healthy teeth may seem like an enormous weight on your shoulders. The good news is that most of the steps towards a child’s healthy smile can be achieved by integrating simple yet intentional steps into your daily routine. Continue reading to learn more. 

3 Steps to a Healthy Smile 

1. Alter Your Child’s Diet

Many of the dental issues seen in children, such as cavities and tooth decay, can be slowed by minimizing the amount of sugary and acidic foods your child eats. Cavities and decay come from bacteria which are found naturally in the mouth. This bacteria feeds on the sugars left on the teeth and gums and leaves plaque behind which will lead to tooth decay. Likewise, acidic foods can erode the enamel which is the protective and hard layer of the teeth leaving them more exposed to potential cavities. 

While altering your child’s diet will not remove the need for daily hygiene practices, it may help to maintain the health of your child’s teeth between brushing. 

2. Brush, Floss, and Swish

The best way to ensure your child develops healthy teeth is to establish healthy hygiene practices early on. If your child is still a baby and does not yet have teeth, use a damp cloth to wipe the gums at least twice a day. Once your child’s first tooth comes in, practice brushing at least once a day. As your child ages and more teeth erupt, follow age-appropriate recommendations, which will eventually include daily brushing, flossing, and the use of a fluoride rinse. Make these steps a habit now so that your child will maintain these steps as an adolescent and adult.

3. Find a Pediatric Dentist

One of the most valuable steps towards helping your child develop strong, healthy teeth is to find a pediatric dentist to partner with your efforts. Regular checkups and cleanings will help establish oral hygiene as a priority in your family. The dentist will reinforce what you are teaching at home and will help correct most dental issues early on to avoid costly dental procedures down the road. 

This step also gives your child a sense of ownership and accountability when it comes to taking care of their own teeth. As they grow, they will understand the value of these regular appointments and will become more comfortable going to the dentist. 

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Greenville, NC

We are now accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Contact our office to schedule your child’s first appointment and take the first step towards improving the health of your child’s teeth today. 

Most children’s primary teeth are lost at pretty standard points throughout their childhood. If, for whatever reason, one of your child’s primary teeth falls out much earlier than expected, the teeth farther back in the mouth are in danger of shifting forward. Continue reading to learn how space maintainers can help to avoid costly dental procedures later on. 

An Overview of Space Maintainers

What Does a Space Maintainer Do?

One of the responsibilities of a primary tooth is to maintain a clear space for the adult tooth to grow and erupt. If a primary tooth comes out before the adult tooth behind it has developed, then that space needs to be maintained until it is ready to erupt. 

Space maintainers are a simple way to protect that space and provide a temporary placeholder which can be removed once the adult tooth erupts. 

How Do You Know If a Tooth Has Fallen Out Too Soon?

Most primary teeth follow a general pattern and timeline which can make it easy to predict when each of your child’s teeth will fall out. If you are unsure as to whether a tooth has fallen out too early, you can always consult with your child’s dentist. She may recommend a quick appointment to take a look at the gum and may take an X-ray to confirm. If a lost baby tooth isn’t caught quickly, your dentist will see if a space maintainer is necessary during a routine dental cleaning. 

Types of Space Maintainers

Space maintainers can be fixed or removable depending on the recommendation of your child’s dentist.

A fixed space maintainer is cemented onto the adjacent teeth and comes in a variety of designs. Some include a wire loop with metal bands that wrap around the adjacent teeth. Others include a stainless steel crown instead of bands. Most dentists recommend a fixed design for younger kids since they are easy to maintain and are not as easy to fidget with. 

A removable space maintainer closely resembles a retainer. Some designs have a false tooth attached which may be preferable if the lost tooth is still visible, particularly in older children. This design requires more personal accountability to maintain healthy dental hygiene and must be worn on a daily basis to ensure the space is maintained. 

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Wilson, NC

If you are looking for a new dentist for your children, we are accepting new patients at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of pediatric dentistry services in Wilson, NC. Give us a call or schedule an appointment today. 

Chances are that between a busy social life, extracurriculars, and schoolwork, dental hygiene may be the last thing on your teen’s mind. However, setting the standard for good dental hygiene early in life is crucial to long-term dental health. So how can you encourage good dental hygiene in your home? Continue reading to learn more. 

How to Encourage Your Teen to Have Good Dental Hygiene

Limit Sugar and Soda

Our dental health is largely affected by the foods we eat. One of the best ways to encourage dental health is to encourage healthy food choices. Foods that are high in sugar or acids, like sodas, can encourage plaque buildup or even tooth decay. Try to limit the amount of sugars and sodas your teenager consumes. 

Appeal to Their Looks

Teenagers spend much of their day preoccupied with the way they look. Appeal to this concern by reminding your teen that brushing his teeth, flossing, and scheduling regular cleanings will go a long way in maintaining a pretty smile for years to come. 

Require the Use of a Mouthguard

If your teen is an athlete, then she may be at higher risk of tooth damage due to injury. If high-risk or high-impact sports are a part of your teen’s life, make it a priority to purchase a mouthguard and require it to be used during practice and games. 

Schedule Regular Cleanings

One of the best ways to encourage good dental hygiene habits is to schedule regular cleanings with a pediatric dentist. This simple step will help establish these appointments as a regular part of your child’s annual routine. It will also allow your child’s dentist to partner in your efforts to help communicate and educate your child on good dental practices. 

Find a Pediatric Dentist in Greenville, SC

If you’re looking for a new pediatric dentist for your teen, visit Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff is ready to partner alongside you to give your kids a healthy smile. We will walk you through what to expect on your first visit as soon as you schedule an appointment. Give us a call today to learn more.