Q: At what age should my child have his/her first dental appointment?

A: This is probably the most common question I receive from parents of small children.  Ideally, children should see a dentist soon after the first baby teeth appear and no later than the first birthday.  More often, however, children are not seen by a dentist until age three and beyond.  By then, many children have already developed more than one cavity.  One reason is that too many infants and toddlers are allowed to drink juice or milk from sippy cups and bottles throughout the day.  Some are even put to bed with bottles containing milk or other sugary liquids.  This damaging habit causes rapid development of cavities at a very early age. When infants are seen by a dentist before age one, their parents can receive valuable advice on proper hygiene and dietary practices.  The lessons learned will provide parents and children a solid foundation for healthy smiles for years to come.  Ask your dentist about setting up an appointment for your child today!

Q: How can my dentist help me with my snoring problem?

A: Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe.  This can simply be a nuisance to a sleeping partner, or it may indicate a more severe medical condition.  Certain lifestyle changes such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol near bedtime, and sleeping on your side can sometimes reduce snoring.  Your dentist can also fabricate an appliance that can eliminate snoring.  An oral splint is made to fit over the upper and lower teeth in such a way that the lower jaw is gently pulled forward.  This prevents the soft tissue at the back of the throat from covering the airway and eliminates the turbulent airflow that causes snoring.  Anyone who has a problem with snoring, however, should consider consulting a physician for referral to a sleep clinic to determine if he or she suffers from sleep apnea.  This can be a life-threatening condition and cannot be treated with a snoring appliance alone.  If you think you or someone close to you could benefit from a snoring appliance, call your dentist today for more information.

Q: Our family uses bottled water or a home filtration system for all of our drinking water. Are we still getting the optimal levels of fluoride needed to protect our teeth?

A: Most likely, the answer is no. The optimal water fluoride concentration for preventing tooth decay is between 0.7 and 1.2 parts per million. Most bottled water products do not contain fluoride and many home filtration systems significantly reduce the fluoride concentration of water obtained from your public water source. This can be a problem, because studies have shown that children who grow up with non-fluoridated drinking water can be as much as 50% more likely to develop tooth decay. If you still prefer to drink bottled water, fluoridated bottled water is available at some stores. If you use a water filtration system in your home, contact the manufacturer and ask if the system filters out fluoride. If you feel that your family isn’t getting the fluoride needed for optimal protection, ask your dentist for alternative fluoride sources that would be appropriate for you.

Q: What are dental sealants?

A: Dental sealants are used to prevent tooth decay on the biting surfaces of the back teeth.  Used primarily on children, sealants are a plastic resin that is painted into the deep pits and grooves of the permanent molars.  Even with good brushing habits, toothbrush bristles cannot reach the depths of these grooves to remove food particles and bacteria.  When properly placed, sealants keep food and bacteria from getting into those pits and grooves in the first place, creating a smooth surface that is much easier to keep clean.  Ideally sealants should be placed soon after the permanent molars come in at age six, then again for the second set of molars at age twelve.  Ask your child's dentist about sealants at her next check-up.