VISITING THE PEDIATRIC DENTIST

Preventative dental care should start "the younger, the better". The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents schedule their baby's first visit by 12 months of age. Early, routine dental care will ensure that any problems may be detected and treated early, or even avoided completely. Experience shows that children who have a "dental home", and who participate regularly in a preventative program have a much lower incidence of dental disease than those who are seen sporadically. In addition, pleasant visits to the pediatric dentist will help your child establish trust and confidence that will last a lifetime. Our office does not charge for "well-baby" dental visits for children under 24 months of age. By getting an early start on preventative dental care, you can help ensure your infant's 52 teeth are part of a healthy attractive smile for a lifetime.

Dr. Howard W. Schneider is a pediatric dentist practicing for 20 years in Huntington, New York. Dr. Schneider is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the Suffolk County Dental Society, and Dentists for A Better Huntington. He is also on staff at Huntington Hospital. Dr. Schneider gives talks throughout the year to parents on pediatric dentistry and performs a dental health puppet show for children at schools throughout the Huntington area.

Infant Dental Care

The two lower front teeth are usually the first to arrive at about 6-10 months of age. Teething continues until about 2 1/2 years old when the second primary molars erupt. During teething, the child's gums may look a little red and puffy, and they may experience excessive drooling and grouchiness. Other signs of teething may include loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and transient low-grade fever. If your baby experiences: a high or prolonged fever, a rash, or vomiting, these are signs that something else may be wrong and you should consult your pediatrician.

To help relieve teething discomfort, you can give your child a cool teething ring or a frozen washcloth to chew on. The cold will help numb the gums and the chewing will help the new teeth cut through. Care must be taken not to allow your child to chew on objects that could break apart and pose a choking hazard. Infant Tylenol and preparations that numb the gums should be used sparingly and only as a last resort.

Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is not permanent and works by removing the organic materials in the enamel by dissolving them with a peroxide derivative. Also, teeth whitening is only effective if there is a lot of enamel.

The most effective and safest method of teeth whitening is the dentist-supervised procedure. First, the dentist will determine whether you are a candidate for Teeth Whitening Ottawa and what type of whitening system would provide the best results. The dentist should also go over what you personally can expect for your individual situation. Before the teeth whitening treatment, most dentists clean the teeth, fill any cavities, and make sure the patient's gums are healthy.

Dentists will usually advise trying teeth whitening first, to avoid the need for more complex cosmetic work. Complications that can occur in professional teeth whitening are infrequent and are usually minor in nature. Overall, teeth whitening under professional supervision is an effective method for whitening the teeth.