La Canada, CA Pediatric Dental 411 and 911

Keith Serxner DDS MS Dentistry for Children

Suggestions for Healthy teeth….these behaviors will save you money and tears!!!

We can probably avoid 80% of cavities with this information.
Get it right ALMOST every day, and things will go well.  Perfection is not necessary!

For Newborns and Very Young children:
1. No bottles in bed.  Any liquid (even Mom’s milk) sits all night and creates acid.
2. Clean gums, then baby teeth after every meal.  A washcloth works well.
3. Fluoride as indicated by Pediatrician
4. Get rid of pacifier by 8 months, or they will learn to love it
5. Get rid of the bottle by a year (it will be much harder later)
6. First “Real” dental visit at age 3.  If they can sit in a chair for 5 minutes, they will succeed.  Most do fabulously!

Age Three to Seven Years:
1. They can brush in the morning to develop good habits
2. Parents should do a thorough brushing before bed…This is when the teeth really get clean.  After all, would you eat off a plate your 3 year old washed at the sink?
3. Hand the child some floss and let them imitate you every day…for the habit.
4. Visit the Dentist every 6 months.  No problem will become too serious and we will have many “well-care” visits.
5. Avoid sticky sweets(fruit rolls,etc)  (Chocolate, ice cream, jello are OK)

For Seven and older:
1. Brush after every meal when possible
2. Floss nightly…now is the time to establish this habit for life.
3. Sealants for adult molars
4. Mouthguards for sports.
5. 6 month checkups…Kids in braces need this even more, due to the difficulty of  brushing wires and inability to floss around braces.
6. Soda kills teenage teeth…one a week is OK, more than that can cause big trouble.

Emergencies
My pager number is on our answering machine. (818) 543-9831. When I am out of town I arrange coverage.  For any severe trauma, a trip to the emergency room may be in order. Again, call me or your pediatrician for advice.  If you cannot contact me our local Oral Surgeons are on call…(818)240-1805.

An adult tooth which is knocked out should be put in cold milk and reimplanted quickly.  A chipped or displaced tooth should sometimes be seen immediately, however, sometimes it is wise to let a small injury “calm down” before asking an unhappy child to submit to an exam.  Call me for advice, either way.  Don’t spend 5 hours sitting in the ER so they can tell you to “see a dentist tomorrow”.

First Visit….Remember, the first visit is mostly educational.  We don’t do anything that hurts, and we don’t ask your child to do anything they can’t do.  We find that young children do well in the morning when they (and us!) are fresh and rested.  Bring your camera and have some fun!!!
 

Call Dr. Keith Serxner today at 818-790-1160, or browse our website for more information.  If you have any other questions or comments, please e-mail us.