Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Even though they are temporary, your child’s baby teeth are important and are still susceptible to cavities. Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Their first teeth also help make sure their adult …

Cavities

Most people have a cavity or two. The good news is that there are several things you can do to prevent cavities. Here you can learn about cavities, what they are, and how you can avoid getting them. Your dental hygienist at Pediatric Dentistry of San Antonio can show you the proper way to brush and floss—two things you can do …

8 Common Concerns a Parent Can Have

BABY BOTTLE TOOTH DECAY You can help prevent your baby from getting cavities or developing what is called Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries, by beginning an oral hygiene routine within the first few days after birth. Start by cleaning your baby’s mouth by wiping the gums with a clean gauze pad. This helps removes plaque that can …

What Considered Dental Emergencies?

Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your child’s dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact …

What is Pediatric Periodontal Disease

Pediatric periodontal disease (PD), also referred to as periodontitis, is an inflammatory disease that severely damages the gums, jawbone, and surrounding tissues. The disease can loosen your teeth and eventually cause tooth loss if left untreated. When the gums become severely irritated, they separate from the teeth and form deep spaces called “periodontal pockets.” Dental plaque moves into these pockets, …

Could My Child Have Sleep Apnea?

Risk Factors for Children’s Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder affecting more than 18 million adults and 2% to 3% of children of all ages, even newborns, according to the National Sleep Foundation. It seems to run in families, and kids who have enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids (lymph nodes in the throat behind the nose) …

Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can …

Baby Tooth Extractions

Baby Tooth Extractions: Causes, Procedure Steps & Aftercare A baby tooth extraction, or pediatric tooth extraction, is the surgical removal of a primary tooth. A child’s tooth may require extraction if it is severely damaged from an injury or decay. These procedures are very common among children. Baby molars are the most common extractions because they are more prone to …

What is Dental Pulp?

The pulp chambers in teeth contain the nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue. The dental pulp within the chamber is a gel-like consistency consisting of 75 percent water and 25 percent organic materials. The pulp is located between the dentin, enamel, and cementum of a tooth. Additionally, the dental pulp provides sensory innervation (stimulation) through a tooth’s nerve. However, when …