Has a dentist suggested that your child get space maintainers? Kids City Dental in Brighton, CO, has helped many children preserve their smiles with space maintainers. The truth is, the importance of space maintainers is often underrated. Simply because most parents or caregivers aren’t familiar with their purpose or how they work.

What Are Space Maintainers?

Space maintainers do exactly what the name implies – they go between teeth to ensure proper spacing. Our Brighton dentists use space maintainers after a child loses a tooth prematurely (like from an accident or infection) to prevent nearby teeth from shifting.

Our teeth, even well into adulthood, naturally shift when a gap forms between them. These spaces can lead to several concerns but are problematic when they form before adult teeth grow in. If a child’s teeth shift into a space meant for an adult tooth to erupt, the new tooth will usually become impacted or erupt out of place.

So, how does space maintainer work? The answer to this depends on the type of space maintainer used. However, most space maintainers are temporary metal appliances that attach to the nearby teeth to prevent them from moving.

When Do Dentists Use Space Maintainers?

At Kids City Dental, we do all we can to keep teeth healthy and strong. However, we occasionally need to extract children’s teeth due to decay, trauma, or other issues that can’t be treated. We use space maintainers in these situations because removing these teeth prematurely can alter the development of their “bite” and jaw.

What if We Don’t Place a Space Maintainer?

Our team doesn’t recommend space maintainers unless they are necessary. Without them, your child may suffer from cosmetic and functional issues.

Here’s what might happen without a space maintainer:

• Crooked teeth
• Crowded teeth
• Impacted tooth
• Poor jaw development
• Speech concerns
• Severe orthodontic complications

Types of Space Maintainers

We use a variety of space maintainers depending on which tooth is missing. Here’s an overview of the purpose of each type.

Band and Loop/Unilateral

Used for a single missing tooth, a band and loop uses a wide band around one tooth, with a thin wire loop extending off one side, reaching as far as the tooth past the missing one. It prevents the two teeth from closing together, leaving space for the unerupted tooth.

Distal Shoe

Designed for molars, distal shoe space maintainers help molars in the back of the mouth grow into place properly.

Lingual Arch

Missing multiple teeth poses a big risk and needs a more robust space maintainer. Lingual arch space maintainers attach to the molars and prevent the front teeth from shifting.

Crown and Loop

For children who have crowns, we use crown and loop maintainers just like unilateral ones. Instead of attaching to the neighboring tooth, it attaches to the crown.

How Long Will the Space Maintainer Last?

Since space maintainers are made of stainless steel in most cases. They can last for quite some time, but are meant to be temporary. In general, your child will need their space maintainer removed once their adult tooth is ready to erupt. We track tooth development at each checkup and will promptly remove the space maintainer once it’s time.

In some cases, a permanent tooth never develops. For these situations, the space maintainer will stay in your child’s mouth until they are ready to get a flipper, bridge, or dental implant.

Caring For a Space Maintainer

Your child will hardly notice their space maintainer once it’s installed. But it may be prone to more plaque buildup or food residue, so it’s important to brush around it daily.

Sometimes, space maintainers can break or become dislodged. Be sure to avoid things like:

• Chewing gum
• Hard, sticky candy
• Accidently pulling it off with floss
• Biting carrots, ice, and other hard foods
• Chewing on pens and pencils

Schedule Your Child’s Appointment

Does your child need a tooth extraction or have an open space in their smile? The Kids City Dental team in Brighton is happy to evaluate your child’s teeth to see if a space maintainer is necessary. While we’re at it, we can also clean their teeth and identify any potential issues with their orofacial development.

Call today to get started.

Have you ever wondered what the symptoms of tongue-tie in infants look like? “Lingual frenums” are the thin strip of skin just under the tip of the tongue, connected to the floor of the mouth. But in babies with a tongue tie, the skin is extremely tight or thick.

For many babies, the lingual frenum never poses an issue, or it simply stretches out over time. However, that’s not always the case. Tongue ties can significantly affect your baby’s development and diet, which is extremely crucial in their earliest weeks and months.

What is a Tongue Tie in Babies?

Babies need to be able to use their tongues to suck on a bottle or breastfeed. But when the frenum under their tongue is too taught, it prevents the tongue from moving upward to be able to create a correct seal for nursing.

Although some babies may be able to adapt their feeding technique, a moderate to severe tongue-tie can still create constant issues with mealtime. Not to mention alter their oral development as they grow into childhood.

Symptoms of a Tongue Tie in Infants

How can you tell if your baby has a tongue tie? Usually, a diagnosis is made by your pediatrician, lactation consultant, midwife, or in this case our children’s dentist. Symptoms of a tongue tie in infants or newborns usually include:

• Fussiness when feeding
• Inability to latch or suck
• Pain during breastfeeding
• Weight loss
• Gassiness or upset stomach

Occasionally, babies will also have clefting at the tip of their tongue, where the frenum is tightly attached. It’s also highly common to see that the tongue doesn’t lift upward very much since the skin beneath it is keeping it “tied” in place. With limited tongue movement, it affects their latch.

When a baby can’t latch well to suck, they’re unable to feed properly or get as much milk/formula intake as they need. This usually leads to stress on both the baby and the parent, especially when your infant is constantly fussy from not being able to eat.

Tongue Tie Treatment in Brighton

Fortunately, treating a tongue tie is relatively straightforward. The tongue-tie release procedure is called a “frenectomy.” Most people just call it a “tongue-tie release.”

During a frenectomy, we use a soft tissue laser to gently release the skin under your baby’s tongue. In years past, a more invasive procedure was used where the tissue was trimmed or cut away. This obviously was much more uncomfortable for the baby and also resulted in sensitivity, not to mention longer recovery times.

When we use a laser to treat the tongue tie, it gently removes the skin while slightly cauterizing the outermost layer of the sensitive oral mucosa. This ensures far less inflammation and discomfort while practically eliminating bleeding during the procedure.

After your baby’s tongue-tie release, they can immediately nurse or take a bottle with a fuller latch. We recommend feeding immediately after the treatment to soothe your little one. Older toddlers are usually given a sugar-free sucker or something similar. They should be back to themselves in practically no time!

When to Call a Dentist

Is your baby having trouble feeding? Do you suspect that they have a tongue tie? When every mealtime is heartbreaking, a tongue tie may be to blame.

If you’re noticing signs of tongue tie in a baby or newborn, Kids City Dental offers tongue tie treatment in Brighton. Our dentists are able to work with parents to screen for early red flags and provide fast relief.

We’re happy to see newborns as well as infants and toddlers for tongue-tie correction. By treating the situation early, we can facilitate better oral growth patterns and speech development. But when the tongue is inhibited, it can impair jaw growth, lead to orthodontic concerns, and even delay their speech.

Kids City Dental can also help with lip ties, which are similar situations restricting lip movement.

Call Now for an Appointment

Contact Kids City Dental today to request a consultation with one of our kid’s dentists.

It may sound extreme to talk about a root canal on baby teeth, but a pulpotomy can be one of the best things to ever happen to your child’s smile. Especially if they’re in pain, have a severe dental abscess, or at risk of losing a tooth prematurely.

What is a Baby Root Canal?

Sometimes called a “baby root canal”, pulpotomies are therapeutic treatments that remove infected, abscessed pulp tissues inside of your child’s tooth. But unlike an adult root canal, the tooth isn’t permanently filled with a foreign material. That way it can allow the adult tooth to gradually erupt and push it out once the proper time comes.

Occasionally we may not need to remove the entire nerve (pulpotomy) but only place some medication on top of the nerve, near the decay. We call this a “pulp cap” and it is a protective measure we might suggest depending on the extent of the infection.

Any time a child receives a baby root canal, our Brighton kids’ dentists will also recommend placing a temporary crown over that tooth. These temporary crowns protect the brittle, compromised tooth structure to avoid premature tooth loss.

Is it Necessary to Perform a Root Canal in Children?

Wouldn’t it just be easier to pull the tooth than to perform a root canal in children? Sure. But extracting a tooth years before it’s supposed to fall out can lead to a host of other complications (and expenses.)

For example, as the neighboring teeth tilt into the space created by an extraction, it can block off the adult tooth that’s developing underneath. As a result, it becomes impacted. There’s also the tooth misalignment that spreads throughout your child’s smile, requiring orthodontic therapy to correct.

Then there’s the risk of abscessed baby teeth causing spread of infection. Not just to the developing adult tooth underneath, but into your child’s face or brain. Although rare, hospitalizations and deaths have occurred because of untreated tooth abscesses in children. Simply taking an antibiotic won’t help; the source of the infection needs to be removed.

Performing a root canal in children can help your child stay on track for proper oral and facial development, not to mention a healthier diet, better speech patterns, and improved self-esteem. Their tooth will be able to last longer, as intended.

Toddler Root Canals (Pulpotomies)

Preschool and toddler root canals are slightly longer procedures than a routine dental filling. But at Kids City Dental, our Brighton dentists know how to keep your little one as comfortable as possible. Again, these treatments aren’t the same as having an adult root canal, so they don’t take nearly as long to complete. But we’ll likely suggest some laughing gas to put your child’s mind at ease and help them feel more lighthearted. We’ll also completely numb the tooth so that the only thing your child feels in their mouth is a little pressure.

What Causes Baby Teeth to Abscess?

Primary (baby) teeth aren’t as dense as permanent teeth are. After all, they’re made to resorb and make room for their permanent replacements. But this less-dense structure also has a downside; if a cavity develops and isn’t treated quickly enough, it can quickly spread through the tooth and into the nerve.

By scheduling regular checkups at Kids City Dental, maintaining a balanced diet, brushing twice a day, and flossing daily, your child can enjoy a healthier smile with fewer treatment needs. But when abscesses happen, our Brighton dentists are here to help you get your family’s smiles back on the right track.

Save Your Child’s Smile

Performing a pulpotomy (root canal) on baby teeth can keep your child out of pain and the emergency room. It will also set their smile up for success in the years ahead. To get a professional opinion about whether your child needs a root canal on baby teeth, call Kids City Dental today. Our friendly Brighton kids’ dentists will be happy to answer all of your questions.

Reserve a consultation now.

Dental sealants are like protective covers that go over the deep grooves and pits of your child’s back teeth. These rough surfaces and narrow crevices are especially cavity prone. One reason is that they’re too small for toothbrush bristles to clean, so they frequently trap bacteria.

How do Dental Sealants Work?

A dental sealant essentially covers and smooths over the natural grooves in your child’s teeth. In turn, those areas are easier to thoroughly clean with a toothbrush. There’s no risk of acids, bacteria, sugars, or plaque getting stuck down inside of the narrow fissures.

Dental Sealants Safety

Our dental sealants are safe and BPA free. Unlike restorative treatments that require numbing or reshaping the tooth, sealants are completely non-invasive. They are safe and straightforward to apply, making them a smart option for kids.

Getting dental sealants is just as simple and safe as having your teeth cleaned or receiving a fluoride treatment. Our registered dental hygienists can easily place the sealant, as no irreversible changes are made to the tooth during the process.

When to Get Dental Sealants

Most family and pediatric dentists recommend placing dental sealants as soon as the permanent first and second molars erupt through the gums. For most kids, that’s around 6 and 12 years of age, respectively. Although it can fluctuate by a year or so, depending on the child.

The goal is to place sealants before a cavity ever has the chance to develop. That’s why it’s so important to apply them as soon as those teeth “come in.”

Occasionally, sealants are also placed on non-molar teeth. Especially if your child has a history of cavities and there are deep grooves in the premolars or primary molars.

What is the Cost of Dental Sealants?

In most cases, the cost of dental sealants is covered 100% by your dental insurance, similar to checkups and cleanings. But even if you don’t have insurance, the modest investment in sealants can save you hundreds of dollars in dental work later on.

To help the sealant last as long as possible, be sure to avoid sticky foods like taffy or bubble gum. Anything too sticky can pull the sealant off of the tooth and it will need to be replaced during the next appointment.

How Dental Sealants are Placed

Depending on the timing, we can usually place your child’s dental sealants during their regular checkup. Otherwise, we’ll have them come back for a short visit to place the sealants at a later date (especially if the molars need a couple more months to erupt.)

During the sealant appointment, we make your child comfortable and give them a small prop to bite on. Then we use special absorbent pads next to the tooth to keep their enamel dry. Next, a special “soap” is used to condition the tooth, rinsed off, and the tooth is dried. At that point, the sealant material is applied to the grooves and a light cures it in place.

It only takes a few minutes to place the sealant. Remember, sealants go over healthy teeth, not inside of them like fillings in a cavity. Your child might notice that it feels a little different when they bite down, but in a day or two, they’ll feel back to normal.

Why Don’t We Usually Seal Baby Teeth?

Protective sealants are best for permanent teeth that are further back in the mouth (and harder to clean.) Whereas primary (baby) molars usually tend to have a much shallower chewing surface, without the deep grooves or pits that attract plaque. Occasionally there are exceptions, but the point of sealant permanent molars is to help your child get through their middle school and teen years as they develop good oral hygiene habits.

Dental Sealants in Brighton

For pediatric sealants near you, turn to Kids City Dental. Here you’ll find comprehensive, upbeat dentistry that helps kids enjoy their dental experience. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Brighton, the general dentists at Kids City Dental specifically focus on oral health care for children of all ages. Call now to request an appointment!

Your child’s tooth eruption timeline is an ever-changing and evolving process as they grow from toddlers to teens. Depending on their age and which teeth are erupting, they may need certain preventative care steps like sealants, or even oral surgery for wisdom tooth removal.

What are Molars?

Molars are the very most back teeth that are used for grinding and breaking down food. Throughout your child’s life, they will get 8 primary (baby) molars and 12 permanent (adult) molars.

Baby Molar Eruption

Your child’s primary molars typically erupt around the ages of 1 and 2. That’s why your general or pediatric dentist in Brighton will usually refer to them as “one-year molars” and “two-year molars.” Around those birthdays, be on the lookout for new teeth further back in their mouth. Keep in mind this timeframe can fluctuate by several months. As those teeth grow in, you’ll want to help your child reach their toothbrush a little further back in their mouth to keep those new teeth clean.

Permanent Molars

After your child gets their primary molars, it will be a few more years before their permanent molars start to erupt. Remember that a tooth eruption timeline can fluctuate from one child to the next. As a general rule, girls typically get their teeth before boys do.

The first permanent molars that erupt will be around age six. We usually call these “six-year molars” or “first molars”. The second set erupts around age 12, which is why we call them the “12-year molars” or “second molars.”

Sealants for Adult Molars

Molars have deep grooves and pits on their chewing surfaces. Some of these tiny crevices can be too narrow to clean with a toothbrush bristle, making them more prone to cavities than some other areas throughout the mouth.

To limit your child’s risk of cavities in such hard-to-clean spaces, most family and pediatric dentists recommend protecting them with sealants.

Sealants are thin, plastic-like coatings that cover the grooves and pits on molars. When applied, they make those spaces easier to clean and reduce your child’s rate of developing cavities. Pediatric dental sealants in Brighton are only recommended for permanent molars in most cases. Rarely do we advise placing them on smoother baby (primary) molars.

The great news is that sealants only take a few minutes to apply, so we can usually add them to your child’s regular dental checkup. No needles or numbing are needed. Better yet, they’re typically covered at 100% by your dental insurance!

What About Wisdom Teeth?

The third and final set of permanent molars to erupt are usually referred to as “wisdom teeth.” Even though wisdom teeth begin developing when your child is very young, they will usually be in high school before those molars start to erupt. Which is why wisdom tooth removal frequently occurs when your child is a teenager or before they go off to college (or when they come home for spring break.)

Wisdom teeth continue to develop well into a person’s 20s. They may not be fully formed until your child is almost 30 years old! The earlier they’re removed, the less of a risk they pose to your child’s overall smile.

Does My Teen Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?

Because of their location in the mouth, wisdom teeth are much more susceptible to decay and infection, not to mention pain. Although it would be possible to treat those infections, they’re at an increased chance of recurring complications. In time, those cavities or gum infections can spread into the neighboring, healthy teeth.

To protect your teen’s smile and keep all of their other teeth healthy, wisdom tooth removal may be advised. Our dentists can evaluate your teen’s molars to assess how they’re positioned and whether they are at an increased risk of complication. If wisdom tooth extractions are recommended, we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Sealants, Wisdom Tooth Exams in Brighton

With spring break coming up soon, now is a great time to plan dental sealants or wisdom teeth evaluations for your child or teen. Contact Kids City Dental today to reserve an appointment.

Our kids dentist in Brighton is committed to helping families get access to early preventative dental care. When your child grows up with access to regular checkups and good oral hygiene, they’ll be more likely to enjoy a healthy smile for the rest of their life. Our Brighton kids dentist can help equip your family with the information and tips you need to minimize cavities, tooth loss, and preventable emergencies. Here are just a few ways to get started:

Encourage Children to Hydrate with Water 

Water is a natural cleanser and is completely sugar-free. Whereas juices and sports drinks can be bad for teeth and increase the risk of cavities. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluoridated tap water (bottled water may not have regulated fluoride levels). To make it more fun, consider getting some reusable or personalized water bottles for everyone in the family.

Floss…Every Day!

As your child grows and develops, you will notice that the teeth tend to get closer and closer together. It’s normal for them to have some space between baby teeth, but not their permanent ones. Help your child floss between every tooth, every day, especially until they’re old enough to have the dexterity to tie their own shoes.

If There’s a Cavity, Treat it ASAP

Children’s teeth can spread decay extremely quickly, as they’re less dense than permanent adult teeth. A small cavity could become an abscessed tooth in months. It is best to treat problems when they are smaller and more comfortable.

A family or pediatric dentist in Brighton can place a small filling inside of the decayed area, preserving as much healthy tooth structure as possible.

Plan a Checkup Twice Per Year 

No matter how young your child is, Kids City Dental recommends that they visit a family or pediatric dentist at least once every six months. Our children’s dentist in Brighton will work closely alongside your family to provide the necessary resources, preventative services, and therapeutic care as needed. To ensure that your child has a healthy smile for life, it’s important to access pediatric dentistry near you shortly after your child’s first tooth erupts.

Wear the Right Protective Equipment 

Are your children involved in any kind of athletic activity? Such as soccer, baseball, football, or any sport where their mouth could get injured? A sports mouthguard will significantly decrease the chances of your child breaking or knocking out teeth, as well as suffering from a concussion.

Screen for Orthodontic Needs by Age 7

Kids City Dental recommends screening for any bite problems or orthodontic concerns no later than age 7. At this point in your child’s development, we’ll have a good idea of the direction of your child’s tooth and bone growth, making it is easier to identify and correct any problems. Braces and growth modification encourage healthy tooth alignment before the permanent teeth erupt completely into place.

Set a Timer When Brushing

Always make sure your child brushes their teeth at least two minutes, two times each day. To make brushing more enjoyable and encourage proper brushing time, set a timer or play a song. Many of today’s electric brushes have built-in timers.

Use Fluoridated Toothpaste 

Dosage is important with any vitamin and mineral supplement. Fluoride, like calcium, is crucial for the development of teeth and minimizing cavities. The ADA recommends that young children use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a rice grain. Once they’re old enough to rinse well, they can increase the amount to a pea-sized amount.

Early Pediatric Dental Visits

The best pediatric dental tip is to schedule your child’s first dental checkup as soon as their first tooth comes in or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. These early visits allow your child’s dentist to detect potential health or developmental issues earlier when they’re easier to address. Positive and comfortable dental encounters at a young age will help minimize the risk of dental anxiety as your child gets older.

Is Your Child Due for a Checkup?

Looking for a pediatric dentist in Brighton? The general dentists at Kids City Dental focus specifically on children’s oral health. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

It’s important to have a great oral care routine for kids during the holidays. After all, there’s a good chance that everyone in your family is snacking a little more than they normally do. With great hygiene and understanding the importance of healthy eating habits, you can avoid an emergency trip to your family or pediatric dentist in Brighton!

Here are 10 easy steps to help your child enjoy a healthy smile this holiday season:

1. Drink Lots of Extra Water

Did you know that most people statistically drink less water during winter months than they do the summer? Water is a natural cleanser and it also contains fluoride. Fluoride is important for strong teeth and bones. Encourage your child to make sure they’re drinking enough during the day. Tap water is best since it has regulated mineral levels (bonus: it’s also cheaper!)

2. Make Sure You Clean Between

With all of the extra sweets your family plans on eating over the holidays, make sure your kids are cleaning between their teeth each day. Floss picks are great to have on hand, so keep them in a jar on the bathroom counter or even in the car. As kids get older, you can start to transition them to traditional floss.

3. Pass on the Sticky Stuff

Choosing the lesser of two evils is sometimes the best thing for our teeth. Especially if you’re a child who wears braces or has dental sealants. Avoid peanut brittle, caramel, or other hard and sticky textures that might break or pull something off.

4. Make Fresh Fruits and Veggies Accessible

You probably have a lot of holiday treats sitting around this time of year, but stock up on some apples, carrot sticks, celery, and other fresh produce too. Encourage your child to eat crunchy fruits and veggies when they need an afternoon snack.

5. Stuff That Stocking with an Electric Toothbrush

Kids tend to clean their teeth better with an electric toothbrush than they do a manual one. Depending on your budget, you can spend anywhere from $5 and up for a kids’ electric toothbrush. Some of today’s models also have corresponding apps that show your child how and where to brush.

6. Set a Timer

Kids should be brushing their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day. A small timer is a great tool to have on hand. Otherwise, you could also play their favorite song on your phone or the radio (because it probably runs a little longer than two minutes!)

7. Squeeze in That Last Checkup

Your dental insurance usually covers two cleanings and checkups per year. If you haven’t gotten your family’s in yet, there’s still time.

8. Check Their Brushing Routine

When your kids are at home more during the holiday break, use that opportunity to check their brushing habits. Are they using their toothbrush correctly? Cleaning every tooth, especially along the gumlines? How quickly are they brushing? You might want to pick up some disclosing tablets to check that everyone is cleaning their smile well.

9. Add Fluoride Mouthwash

A great oral care routine for kids includes fluoride mouthwash at bedtime. Don’t eat or drink anything after, so that the minerals can stay on your teeth. Be sure to use the rinse after brushing and flossing, so that it can soak into the enamel as best as possible.

10. Enjoy in Moderation

Learning the importance of healthy eating habits includes when to eat “bad” snacks. To limit sugar exposure time on teeth, have dessert right after a meal. Try to avoid snacking on little bits here and there throughout the day, as it prolongs the length of time that sugar comes into contact with your child’s teeth.

Kids’ Dental Exams in Brighton

Looking for a pediatric dentist in Brighton? Kids City Dental is a kid-focused general dentistry office with in-house comprehensive pediatric dentistry and braces treatments. Contact our friendly team today to reserve your child’s next checkup!

Right now is a great time to go ahead and plan your child’s end-of-the-year dental appointment, before your family’s insurance coverage runs out. If you didn’t know already, most insurance plans run from January to December, with coverage expiring and resetting on New Year’s Day.

Should I Use or Lose My Dental Benefits?

Most dental insurance policies cover preventative services like cleanings and exams at 100% throughout the year. But basic or major restorative treatments tend to be capped at an allowance of $1,000-1,500, depending on your family’s coverage. What that means is that your insurance plan will pay up to that amount per year until it runs out. Anything you don’t use before December 31st simply goes away; you can’t roll it into next year.

If your child has a cavity that needs to be treated, right now is a great time to plan their appointment. Any remaining benefits can be applied to their procedure so that they don’t go to waste. And chances are you’ve already made some payments toward your child or family’s deductible, further reducing your overall out-of-pocket expenses. Whereas if you wait a few months, the deductible needs to be repaid and the cavity could be even worse (requiring additional treatment.)

Do I Need to Use the Benefits by the End of the Year?

If your child is caught up on dental cleanings and doesn’t have any active decay, then it’s best to keep on a six-month checkup schedule. But if you know there’s an area that needs to be addressed—or they’ve been complaining of a toothache—the smartest thing to do is plan a visit before the holidays get here. That way you can maximize your coverage allowance and limit any impact on your family’s holiday budget.

Depending on the care your child needs, some of the treatment could be completed now (before benefits expire) and then again later (when benefits reset.) This strategy keeps treatments minimally invasive to your child’s teeth while also limiting your portion of the treatment fees. It essentially allows you to split two years of coverage within the period of just 2-3 months.

When Should I Schedule an Appointment to Use My Remaining Benefits?

Today. End-of-the-year pediatric dental appointments tend to fill up quickly. Especially when the kids are out of school on Thanksgiving or Christmas Break. With all of the holiday festivities headed our direction, appointments tend to go fast. So, if you know your child needs dental attention or you’ve been waiting for the pandemic to die down before making an appointment, right now is one of the last opportunities you’ll have for using your 2021 dental benefits. And if you’ve been thinking about an orthodontic evaluation for your child, this is also a great time to reserve an exam.

Any treatment that’s initiated before December 31st will apply to the current year of coverage before this year’s benefits run out.

A Healthy Approach to Children’s Dentistry

Tooth decay can spread quite rapidly in children’s teeth. What only requires a small filling to repair today could easily evolve into a root canal or crown by next year. By treating dental issues early, you can prevent painful dental emergencies and extra treatment for your child.

Early intervention stops the spread of decay from tooth to tooth. It also promotes healthy tooth eruption patterns, as your child’s permanent smile is dependent upon healthy baby teeth to guide them into place. Stopping the cycle of decay is crucial, as it can spiral out of control if it’s not treated early.

Visit Our Kids Dentist in Brighton

Kids City Dental offers comprehensive pediatric dentistry and orthodontics services under one roof. Children of all ages are welcome here. Contact our kid’s dentist in Brighton today to reserve your child’s next appointment.

Have you ever wondered about the reasons to choose dental crowns for kids? After all, most of those teeth will fall out eventually…right? Would it just be easier to place a large filling or pull the tooth entirely?

Not exactly.

When Should I Choose Crowns for My Child?

Dental crowns (sometimes referred to as “caps”) are protective covers that go over the entire tooth, up to the gums. They’re used in situations where a fracture or cavity is too large to fill, or after a pulpotomy (pediatric root canal.)

A crown will essentially allow that tooth to continue functioning normally instead of breaking apart any further. Without a cap, your child’s tooth would eventually need to be extracted. Losing their tooth prematurely could lead to a laundry list of unwanted side effects, such as:

• Impacted teeth
• Orthodontic problems
• Speech delays
• Difficulty eating or malabsorption
• Changes in jaw growth or facial profile
• TMJ problems
• Increased risk of dental emergencies
• Tooth wear

Benefits of Children’s Dental Crowns

By preserving your child’s natural biting patterns with a dental crown, your family can enjoy a significantly lower risk of dental complications.

Crowning a weak baby tooth allows your child to keep their tooth for as long as possible, even if it’s just shy of the normal time for it to exfoliate (fall out) on its own. Without the crown, the tooth would be too brittle and gradually break apart or need to be extracted. And in that case, the extra space that’s created allows other teeth to drift out of alignment, potentially impacting the underlying adult tooth. With a crown, the tooth acts as a natural space maintainer and eruption guide until it’s closer to the time for the next tooth to come in.

Maintaining natural biting patterns isn’t just essential for managing crowding or impacted teeth. Tooth preservation also affects how your child’s jaw develops and the overall symmetry of their facial profile. Preserving a tooth with a crown could potentially eliminate the need for corrective surgeries when your child is a teen or adult.

Since crowns allow your child to bite, chew, and speak normally. You won’t have to worry about additional speech delays or problems with eating because a crown will fill in the gap.

But most importantly, a pediatric dental crown helps your child’s self-esteem during these important, formative years. Feeling embarrassed about a broken or missing tooth is more than enough reason for your child to avoid laughing or smiling around new friends, impacting peer relationships and social development. When your child doesn’t have to worry about an embarrassing dental issue, they’ll be free to be themselves.

…But Won’t the Tooth Fall Out Eventually?

Ultimately, yes. Once your child’s tooth is closer to the natural exfoliation cycle, the entire baby tooth should fall out like its neighboring teeth. If it doesn’t, we can help wiggle it a little bit for some extra encouragement. But if it’s a permanent tooth that needs a crown, the temporary version that we put on while your child is young will eventually need to be updated with a more long-term restoration after your child’s mouth is fully developed.

Children’s Dental Crowns in Brighton

If your child has a cavity or broken tooth, our children’s dentist in Brighton will do everything possible to help save their smile. By addressing infection or dental emergencies early, we can provide your child with fast pain relief and prevent common conditions from becoming major issues that alter their permanent adult teeth.

At Kids City Dental, we tailor our care to pediatric patients. So, whether your little one is due for a checkup or crown, we’ll provide them with a positive experience that your family can feel great about.

Contact us today to schedule!

Does your child need braces? One of the best ways to know if they do or not is to schedule an orthodontic evaluation with our kids dentist in Brighton.

What is the Best Age for Orthodontic Treatment?

At what age should a child be referred for an orthodontic examination? Pediatric dentists and orthodontic experts recommend that all children have an orthodontic screening by age 7.

Why 7 years old? Because at this point in your child’s oral development, they have a healthy mix of both primary (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth. Anything that needs attention that early on can be guided into a healthier position as the jaws and teeth are continuing to develop.

When we evaluate a child’s smile this early on, we can potentially intercept major growth issues before they evolve into serious bite problems. For instance, impacted adult teeth, severe crowding, TMJ problems, or serious overbites. Modifying the growth patterns can encourage a more balanced facial profile while the bone and teeth fall into a healthier, more functional alignment.

While getting braces as an older teen or adult is doable, it’s optimal to start them while children are still growing and their bones are not fully developed just yet. Since we can use orthodontic appliances to adjust anatomical features, early braces can essentially bypass the need for surgical corrections or more intensive therapies at a later stage in life. Fortunately, a lot of children today have access to braces when their parents may have not.

What is Orthodontic Screening?

A pediatric orthodontic screening is part of your child’s dental exam—or a stand-alone dental assessment—where we evaluate the growth patterns and anatomy of their teeth and jaws. We will also look at eruption patterns (including unerupted adult teeth) and swallowing patterns since your child’s tongue movements can guide tooth positioning.

During an orthodontic evaluation, we might also take a full-mouth X-ray to evaluate the growth of the jaws and tooth development.

Parents can ask a pediatric dentist to conduct an orthodontic assessment, or they can bring their child to an orthodontist. Fortunately, at Kids City Dental, we offer complete kids dentistry and braces under one roof! There’s no need to ask for a separate referral.

Will My Child Need Braces?

Not every child needs braces. Early pediatric orthodontic screenings allow us to keep an eye on things or monitor oral development as your child grows. It might be that we only need to assess certain growth patterns at their routine checkup, instead of going straight into braces. If that’s the case, we will check your child’s occlusion (the way the teeth bite together) at every six-month checkup and compare it to their previous visit.

For kids who do need braces, early treatment usually consists of “Phase I” or “early intervention.” This type of orthodontic therapy is used for modifying growth patterns and tooth positioning as your child grows. Essentially, it sets your child’s mouth up for balanced, healthier anatomy that will function at an optimal level. Usually, we fine-tune their final tooth alignment with “Phase II” or traditional braces a few years later.

When children don’t need early intervention but still need to straighten their teeth, traditional orthodontics are usually put on when they’re closer to 13-14 years old. Just be sure to go ahead and have them screened early, even if things seem completely fine.

Pediatric Orthodontic Screenings Near You

At Kids City Dental, our office provides in-house orthodontic exams and pediatric dentistry services for children of all ages. If you’re searching for an orthodontist or pediatric dentist in Brighton, our kid-focused general practice is exactly what you’ve been looking for! Contact us today to reserve your child’s next appointment.