Click Here for great educational information for the entire family from the American Dental Association...it's fun! Click on one of the following links for tips on each subject: Your Child's First Visit Children's Dental Care Crown and Bridge Instructions Accidental Tooth Loss Partial Dentures Your Child's First Visit Familiarize your child with the dentist and dental office by taking him or her along with you or a friend. Letting your dentist know in advance allows time for them to get acquainted. Be low key about the visit. Your child has no reason to be afraid unless it's suggested. Take cues from the dentist who's experienced at dealing with children and don't expect perfect behavior from your child. Children's Dental Care How can I teach my child proper dental care? Imitation is the best way to teach your child how to brush and floss. Children as young as 2 or 3 can learn to brush by watching you, although you should follow-up with a thorough brushing. Get them into the habit of brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Parents should also floss their toddler's teeth. By the age of 10, children should be able to floss by themselves. Most of all, be sure to praise your child for clean teeth, a nice smile, and good dental health habits! How can we help avoid cavities? Out of all age groups, children are the most cavity-prone. It's critical that they brush twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque, the colorless film of bacteria that forms on teeth and leads to decay and gum disease. A well balanced diet and limited snacking also promotes good oral health. Fluoride makes teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. Children who drink fluoridated water from birth can reduce cavities substantially. Fluoride toothpastes and mouthrinses provide important protection too. And remember, regular dental checkups are key to healthy oral development. Crown and Bridge (POST-Operative Instructions) The following steps are very important for your comfort and the ultimate success of the procedure: Do NOT eat or drink for 1 hour A TEMPORARY covering has been placed with TEMPORARY cement, so do NOT eat anything hard or sticky in this area. If you feel this covering come loose, call immediately so that it can be replaced. It is important that the temporary stay securely in place until the final appointment. The procedure today involved the gum tissue in this area. If it is sensitive, place a ½ teaspoonful of table salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water and rinse this area 2-3 times a day until it is comfortable. This area MAY be sensitive to temperature changes for a short period of time. This will go away. Remember that this is a TEMPORARY. The real crown will not look or feel like this. This is only to protect the area until the real crown is completed. If you have any questions before your final appointment, PLEASE CALL. Accidental Tooth Loss If you have an accident that results in a tooth being knocked out, root and all, here are some tips to possibly save the tooth: Find the tooth Do not brush it off or "clean" it, you can lightly rinse it with water. Place the tooth in a glass of milk. If milk is not available, use water. Call your dentist immediately for further treatment. Partial Dentures It will take time to get used to your new partial denture. Here are some helpful tips for this adjustment period. BE PATIENT! Eating Begin by eating small bites of soft foods and chew slowly. Gradually advance to larger bites and harder foods. Care and Cleaning It's very important to keep your partial denture and your natural teeth as clean as possible. After eating, rinse your partial denture under the faucet to remove food debris. For daily thorough cleaning, use the clasp brush provided to clean the clasps and the metal portion of the partial denture. DO NOT force the brush into the clasps as this will bend them. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean the denture teeth and acrylic. In the evening, place your partial denture in the provided cup with a cleansing tablet and enough water to cover the denture. When cleaning or rinsing your partial denture, always do so over a sink with water in the bottom to prevent breakage if accidenally dropped. Always remove your partial denture at night before bed. This allows the teeth and gum tissues to rest and blood to circulate to these areas. Insertion and Removal Always insert and remove your partial denture as discussed, with you hands. NEVER put it in your mouth and bite it into place. You may cause damage to other teeth if not properly positioned. Adjustments Your new partial denture should be comfortable and functional. If you have any problems, call immediately. Never attempt to adjust or repair your partial denture yourself. You could damage it as well as your natural teeth. Periodic Examination It is important to have your partial denture examined every 6 months at the same time as your regular examination. Your partial denture does not change shape, but your mouth is constantly changing. The ridges that support the partial denture shrink, causing the partial denture to become loose. Your natural teeth that support the partial denture also need to be checked. Never leave your partial denture out of your mouth for longer than overnight because your natural teeth are constantly drifting, and the partial denture will not fit properly. Proper fit and support are necessary for your comfort and to prevent injury to remaining teeth.