FUN, CARING, POSITIVE, ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT

• One of the most important goals that our team commits to is to ensure that every child who comes to our practice is treated like they are the most important person on the planet. Our complete focus will be with your child so that he/she knows that we can be trusted. We firmly believe that a child’s first dental experience is extremely important in how she/he will view dentistry in the future. Each child is unique and we respect and acknowledge this. We use creative ideas to get each child to begin the process of knowing what cavity bugs are and to help them develop good oral hygiene skills. Additionally, we spend time learning about healthy foods and unhealthy foods. We have special seats for your little ones and special protective sun glasses to provide protection from the lights. They are treated like princesses and super heroes.

KID FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

Kid Corner:

• Great toys
• Great books – learning about the dentist (you are welcome to borrow them)
• Special “fort type” of appearance

Rewards – great toy box choices for job well done:

• Many types of special reward toys for both girls and boys – sometimes the longest part of the appointment is trying to choose which toy to take home.

 

CONVENIENCE – we can see the entire family in one location, everyone can be seen with one trip, multiple family members can be seen at the same time which will save you time in your busy schedule

SEALANTS

• What is a pit and fissure sealant? Fissure sealants are plastic coatings that are painted on to the grooves of the back teeth.

• The sealantforms a protective layer that keeps food and bacteria from getting stuck in the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay.
• Is a filling the same as a sealant? Fillingsare used to restore teeth to their normal shape, appearance and function by filling in cavities caused by tooth decay. Fissure sealants are of value in the prevention of tooth decay as they fill in the natural pits and fissures in the back (molar) teeth where dental decay occurs most often.

FLUORIDE VARNISH

What is Fluoride Varnish?

Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth).

Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.

Is Fluoride Varnish Safe?

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.

Some brands of fluoride varnish make teeth look yellow. Other brands make teeth look dull. However, the color of your child’s teeth will return to normal after the fluoride varnish is brushed off. Most children like the taste.

How is Fluoride Varnish Put on the Teeth?

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue but will not be able to lick the varnish off.

It does not hurt when the varnish is applied. However, young children may still cry before or during the procedure. Fortunately, brushing on the varnish takes only a few minutes. Also, applying the varnish may be easier when a child is crying because his mouth will be slightly open.

You may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you are placed knee-to-knee with the person applying the varnish.

How Do I Care for My Child’s Teeth after Fluoride Varnish is applied?

Your child can eat and drink right after the fluoride varnish is applied. But only give your child soft foods and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids.

Do not brush or floss teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours. Your child’s doctor may tell you to wait until the next morning to brush or floss. Remind your child to spit when rinsing, if he knows how to spit.

SPORTS GUARDS / MOUTH PROTECTORS

• Mouthguards are coverings worn over teeth, and often used to protect teeth from injury from teeth grinding and during sports. There are two types of mouth guards: Stock mouth guards are preformed and come ready to wear. They are inexpensive and can be bought at most sporting goods stores and department stores. Custom mouth guards that are fabricated at your dentist’s office. Impressions are taken and then the guard is fabricated to fit your child’s teeth and mouth much more accurately. Typically these kind of guards are more comfortable, more durable and are more likely to be worn during the sporting activity.

Do mouth guards protect teeth? Mouth guards help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teethand injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. The American Dental Association projects that one third of all dental injuries are sports related.

 

How do you clean a mouth guard? How do you clean a sports mouth guard? Using gentle soap or toothpaste:

• Get a toothbrush specifically for the purpose. You can even buy a special cleaning brush, but a toothbrush will work just as well. …
• Put a small amount of soap or toothpaste on the mouth guard. …
• Use lukewarm water on the toothbrush to create suds. …
• Rinse under warm water
• Put into your mouth or into a case.

The second way to deep cleanyour mouth guard is to soak the guard in distilled white vinegar for at least 30 minutes. After soaking, rinse the mouth guard in a bowl with water. Then soak the mouth guard in hydrogen peroxide for at least 30 more minutes.

CHILDREN RESOURSE SITES / INFORMATION

• Prenatal vitamins

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/prenatal-vitamins#1

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/prenatal-vitamins/art-20046945

 

• Infant dental hygiene recommendations

http://www.aapd.org/media/policies_guidelines/g_infantoralhealthcare.pdf

http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/babies-and-kids/healthy-habits

 

• Brushing tips for children

https://www.2min2x.org/kids-healthy-mouths/index.html

First Visit to our office

• We generally start to see your child at 18 months to 2 years old.
• These visits are often fairly brief, and may just be a ride in the chair in the parents lap. However, even at this age, many children are willing to allow us to “count their teeth” – where we will use numbers to count each tooth to see how many teeth they have. It is at this time that we are able to perform an exam to see if there are any signs of problems.
• Each child will have a different level of interest and/or comfort. We will let the child influence how much or little we are able to complete on this first visit. No matter what – we will stress all the positive behaviors that your child demonstrates. Guaranteed, we will find something positive with which to build upon with that first visit.

Orthodontic needs

• Dr. Lacey will closely evaluate your child’s growing “mouth” and he is uniquely trained to know if your child will have a healthy bite as an adult. Dr. Lacey will be able to see potential dental problems at a very early age and will guide you and your child through the orthodontic treatment process. Dr. Lacey will work closely with the orthodontist to ensure that your child’s corrective orthodontic process will be completed accurately for a lifetime of proper health, beauty and function.

Developmental/Medical History Pediatric Sleep Apnea Screening Questionnaire

Click Here to Download this form in PDF

Sleep problems have been shown to interfere with children’s ability to learn. Poor quality sleep can also affect behaviour. Obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome are two relatively common sleep disorders. The questions below are designed to help identify children who may have one or both of these conditions. If you answer yes to one or more of the following questions, this issue should be discussed with your doctor, a sleep medicine doctor, or an ENT physician. 

Check the statement if you have noticed this about your child. 

_____1. Loud snoring, loud breathing, pauses in breathing, snorting or choking sounds 

_____2. Restless sleep 

_____3. Overweight 

_____4. Nasal obstruction, allergies, mouth breathing day and/or night, large tonsils 

_____5. Chin thrust upward during sleep, always sleeps on stomach, or sleeps in unusual positions 

_____6. Difficult to get out of bed in morning, more tired than other children, tired or moody in the afternoon or evening 

_____7. Poor attention span, difficult to focus in school, hyperactive 

_____8. Teeth clenching/grinding, morning headache, short chin 

_____9. Frequent movement of legs in the evening and restless sleep (often mistaken for growing pains) 

Checklist Explanation: 

1. Obstructive sleep apnea—most parents of children with sleep apnea will not observe apneas or pauses in breathing. Loud snoring or breathing indicates that there is at least a partial breathing obstruction and is associated with sleep apnea. However, sleep apnea can also be present in children who do not snore.
2. Restless sleep—children with sleep apnea often move after their airway obstructs, so restless sleep is strongly associated with sleep apnea. (Restless sleep can also indicate restless legs—see #9).
3. Children, who are overweight, have chronic nasal obstruction due to allergies, large adenoids, and/or deviated nasal septums are much more likely to have sleep apnea. 
4. Children, who are overweight, have chronic nasal obstruction due to allergies, large adenoids, and/or deviated nasal septums are much more likely to have sleep apnea.
5. Children with sleep apnea often sleep in odd positions to help hold their airway open. Sleeping with the chin thrust upward is most common (similar to the chin lift performed during CPR). Sleeping on the stomach allows the tongue to fall forward and may help keep the airway open. Some children will sleep propped up on pillows or with their neck contorted to help keep their airway open. 
6. Sleepiness—many children with sleep disorders don’t seem tired. Children often become hyperactive or moody when tired. Hyperactivity and being moody later in the day seem to be better predictors of sleep problems than daytime sleepiness. 

Daytime sleepiness, if present after a normal amount of sleep, does indicate that there is a problem. However, the absence of daytime sleepiness doesn’t rule out sleep problems. 

7. Hyperactivity, attention issues: Many children with attention issues or hyperactivity issues have undiagnosed sleep problems. 
8. Sleep apnea is associated with excessive teeth clenching and grinding and morning headaches. In addition, children with shorter chins (upper teeth project farther than lower teeth) have smaller throats and are more prone to develop sleep apnea. 
9. Restless legs Restless legs definition: Urge to move legs and urge is relieved by moving them. Symptoms are worse at rest and in the evening. 

Children with restless legs often sleep restlessly, which causes disrupted sleep and symptoms similar to obstructive sleep apnea. 

Restless legs are often caused by iron deficiency. This may not present as anemia, so normal hemoglobin is not helpful. The blood level of serum ferritin should be checked. If the level is <50 (which is still low normal) treatment with supplemental iron will usually improve restless legs symptoms within 3-4 months. 

Checklist and information prepared for ISD 192 by Dr. Gerard O’Halloran, ENT; subspecialty certification in Sleep Medicine Lakeville Family Health Medical Clinic, Northfield Hospital American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery