Your child's first dental visit should come as early as age 1, but preferably not later than age 2. Since 10% of children have decay by age 2 and 40% by age 4, it makes good sense to have early and regular dental visits.

At the first visit, depending upon the needs and age of your child, they may get their teeth cleaned, a fluoride application, an examination by Dr. Sherwood, plus appropriate digital radiographs (x-rays) to complete the exam. We also perform an oral cancer screening and address nutritional issues with regard to your child's oral health.

Typically, children ages 3 and younger will sit on your lap as we examine their teeth. This allows your little one to feel as secure as possible. It is normal for younger patients to fuss a little when we look in their mouths, so we make sure to act quickly and gently.

You are encouraged to allow your child over the age of 3 to come back alone. This is not a hard and fast rule, and we always will allow parents to accompany their children if they feel more comfortable with that. However, by allowing us the opportunity to focus completely on the child, we are able to do what we do best. This also allows the children to develop confidence in themselves, and rapport and trust with us.

You will want to keep talk about your child's upcoming visit "low key" and refrain from using any words that could cause unnecessary fear, such as "needle" or "drill." We are experienced in dealing with children with anxiety and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner to avoid any anxious or negative feelings toward dentistry.

We will record your child's dental and medical history, complete a comprehensive examination and discuss the entire visit with you. We will also review the importance of maintaining a good dental health program with you and your child to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for life!

Your entrusting your child's dental care to us is an honor. As a pediatric dental practice, we focus on treating infants, children, and adolescents exclusively. You may have questions about our practice, or about caring for your child's oral health. Below are common questions and our answers. If you don't see your question below, please ask us directly!

When should I schedule my child's first visit to the dentist?

You should make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as your child gets his/her first molars. This will be sometime near your child's first birthday.

How is a pediatric dentist different from other dentists?

All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school, and continue their education with several years of additional, specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, Dr. Sherwood gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric dentists enjoy working with children, and develop expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you'll find that our dental team, as well as our office design, decorations and activities, all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children.

What happens during my child's first visit to the dentist?

The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. Dr. Sherwood will check your child's teeth for placement and health, and look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child's teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials containing helpful homecare tips.

How can I prepare my child for his or her first dental appointment?

The best preparation for your child's first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults' apprehensions and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist, you can be sure that your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Show your child the pictures of the office and dental team on the website. Let your child know that it's important to keep his or her teeth and gums healthy, and that the dental team will show him or her how. Remember that Dr. Sherwood is specially trained to handle a child's fears and anxiety, and our team excels at putting children at ease during treatment.

How often should my child visit the dentist?

We generally recommend scheduling check-ups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child's oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Baby teeth aren't permanent; why do they need special care?

Although they don't last as long as permanent teeth, your child's first teeth play an important role in his or her development. While they're in place, these primary teeth help your little one speak, smile and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early – due to damage or decay – nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your child's overall health is affected by the health of the teeth and gums.

What's the best way to clean my baby's teeth?

Even before your baby's first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his or her gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as his first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can most likely find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore.

At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child's teeth?

Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste on the brush. Use only a tiny amount for each cleaning, and be sure to choose toothpaste without fluoride for children under three, as too much fluoride can be dangerous for very young children. Always have your child rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing, to begin a lifelong habit he or she will need when you introduce fluoride toothpaste. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to stain. You should brush your child's teeth until around age six or seven, or until you child is ready for the responsibility.

What causes cavities?

Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. Acids are produced when these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on our teeth after eating. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

How can I help my child avoid cavities?

Be sure that your child brushes his or her teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, as flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can't. Check with Dr. Sherwood about a fluoride supplement that helps tooth enamel become harder and more resistant to decay. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, limit snacking, and maintain a healthy diet. And finally, make regular appointments so that we can check the health of your child's teeth and provide professional cleanings.

Does my child need dental sealants?

Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.

My child plays sports; how can I protect his teeth?

Even children's sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect his teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.

What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?

The large majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four, without causing any permanent damage to their teeth. If you child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or sucks aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems may arise from the habit.

When should my child have dental x-rays taken?

Your child should have his or her first x-rays taken around the age of two or three. The first set consists of simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth, which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth in back are touching each other, then regular (at least yearly) x-rays are recommended. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and x-rays help us make sure your child's teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. If your child is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having x-rays taken at an earlier age.

Preventative dentistry relies on good oral hygiene and regular dental care; and is important throughout your life, whatever your age. By helping your child practice good oral hygiene at home and visiting Dr. Sherwood regularly, you will help prevent dental problems and save time and money. You will also lay the foundation for your child's lifestyle of good dental health.

Fighting Plaque

By fighting plaque you can keep your teeth for a lifetime. Today's older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer because of scientific developments and an emphasis on preventative dentistry.

Good oral hygiene requires an understanding of plaque. Plaque is a sticky, colorless layer of bacteria. When you eat carbohydrates (foods made of sugar or starch) you feed this plaque, which in turn produces acids that attack tooth enamel, cause cavities, and develop a hard substance called calculus (tartar). Uninterrupted, the acid attacks can result in tooth decay and gum disease (also known as periodontal disease). If left untreated, gum disease can cause loss of teeth and bone.

At any age, you can begin the fight with plaque and keep your teeth and gums healthy. It's really quite easy. Simply:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to remove food particles and plaque from the tooth surfaces. While you're at it, brush the top surface of your tongue to eliminate bad breath and bacteria buildup.
• Clean between your teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay-causing bacteria can linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks. If a snack is needed, choose nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese or a piece of fruit.
• Schedule regular check-ups. Visit the doctor regularly (every 6 months) for professional cleanings and oral exams.
• Ask the doctor about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
• Wear mouth protection such as a mouthguard when you play contact sports or extreme sports.
• Prevent Tooth Decay - Tooth decay (cavity or caries) can develop on any surface of any tooth. Because cavities grow, they are much easier and less expensive to treat when they are small. A decaying tooth may not hurt, so you may have a cavity and not realize it. Dr. Sherwood checks for tooth decay at your child's regular check-ups and will periodically use digital radiographs (x-rays) to check for decay between teeth. He treats tooth decay by cleaning out the cavity and placing a restoration (filling) in the tooth.

Gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the tissues that support your teeth. It is a major cause of tooth loss in adults. Because gum disease is usually painless, you may not know you have it. At each regular checkup the Dr. Sherwood will measure the depth of the shallow v-shaped crevice (called a sulcus) between your child's teeth and gums to identify whether gum disease is forming.

Gum disease is caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. These bacteria create toxins that can damage the gums.

Periodontal diseases attack just below the gum line in the sulcus, where they cause the attachment of the tooth and its supporting tissues to break down. As the tissues are damaged, the sulcus develops into a pocket. Generally, the more severe the disease, the greater the depth of the pocket.

Periodontal diseases are classified according to the severity of the disease. The two major stages are gingivitis and periodontitis.

In the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and bleed easily. At this stage, the disease is still reversible and can usually be eliminated by daily brushing and flossing.

In the more advanced stages of gum disease, called periodontitis, the gums and bone that support the teeth become seriously damaged. The teeth can become loose, fall out, or have to be removed by a dentist.

Some factors increase the risk of developing periodontal disease:

• Tobacco smoking or chewing
• System-wide diseases such as diabetes
• Some types of medication such as steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, some calcium channel blockers, and oral contraceptives
• Bridges that no longer fit properly
• Crooked teeth
• Fillings that have become defective
• Pregnancy

If you notice any of the following signs of gum disease, see the doctor immediately:

• Gums that bleed easily
• Red, swollen, tender gums
• Gums that have pulled away from the teeth
• Persistent bad breath or bad taste
• Pus between your teeth and gums
• Permanent teeth that are loose or separating
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
• Any change in the fit of partial dentures

It is also possible to have periodontal disease and have no warning signs. This is one reason why regular dental checkups and periodontal examinations are very important. Treatment methods depend on the type of disease and how far the condition has progressed.

Good oral hygiene at home is essential to keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You don't have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, clean between your teeth, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

The best defense against tooth decay, cavities, bad breath and a host of other dental problems, is a good offense. Thankfully, the basics of the offensive game plan remain simple, proven, and inexpensive. Investing a little time in establishing and monitoring your child's good brushing and flossing habits provides years of beneficial returns.

When choosing any dental product, look for the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance, an important symbol of a dental product's safety and effectiveness. Talk to the doctor about what types of oral care products will be most effective for you. The ADA Seal on a product is your assurance that it has met ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness. Look for the ADA Seal on fluoride toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, interdental cleaners, oral irrigators, and mouth rinse.

By taking care of your teeth, eating a balanced diet, and visiting the doctor regularly, you can have healthy teeth and an attractive smile throughout your entire life.

If you face a dental emergency, give us a call immediately. If you need urgent treatment after hours, you can call our number and you will reach an on-call doctor or us. We are always here to assist when your child's dental health is at risk. Below are tips on dealing with urgent dental situations; you may want to display this list on your refrigerator or store it near your emergency phone numbers for easy reference.

Bitten Lip or Tongue

If your child has bitten his lip or tongue severely enough to cause bleeding, clean the bite gently with water and use a cold compress (a cold, wet towel or washcloth pressed firmly against the area) to reduce or avoid swelling. Give us a call to help determine how serious the bite is.

Object Caught In Teeth

If your child has something caught between his or her teeth, use dental floss to gently remove it. Never use a metal, plastic, or sharp tool to remove a stuck object. If you are unable to remove the item with dental floss, give us a call.

Broken, Chipped, or Fractured Tooth

If your child has chipped or broken a piece off of his tooth, have him rinse his mouth with warm water, then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate and save the tooth fragment that broke off. Call us immediately.

Knocked Out Tooth

If your child's tooth has been knocked out of his mouth, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care to only touch the crown of the tooth (the part you can see when it's in place). If you can, place the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place with a clean towel or cloth. If you can't return the tooth to its socket, place it in a clean container with milk. In either case, call us immediately and/or head to the hospital. If you act quickly it's possible to save the tooth.

Loose Tooth

If your child has a very loose tooth, it should be removed to avoid being swallowed or inhaled.

Toothache

If your child complains of a toothache, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and inspect his or her teeth to be sure there is nothing caught between them. If pain continues, use a cold compress to ease the pain. Do not apply heat or any kind of aspirin or topical pain reliever directly to the affected area, as this can cause damage to the gums. Children's pain relievers may be taken orally. Schedule an appointment immediately.

Broken Jaw

If you know or suspect your child has sustained a broken jaw, use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Call our emergency number and/or head to the hospital immediately. In many cases a broken jaw is the result of a blow to the head. Severe blows to the head can be dangerous and even life threatening.