Kid's Corner

Pediatric FAQ’s

When will my child get their first tooth?

The period when early hard teeth are growing is a major event in the life of an infant, and it can be difficult. The eruption of teeth causes inflammation, which leads to congestion, drooling, and discomfort. While the average time for the appearance of the first teeth is between five and seven months of age, there is a wide range before and after this that can still be considered “normal.” The teeth might come in as early as one month of age, or they may erupt when the child is one-and-a-half years old. Generally the lower front teeth come in first, and girls’ teeth typically erupt earlier than boys.

When should I take my child to the dentist for their first check-up?

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist between 6-9 months for a visual examination, or no later their first birthday.

My child’s baby teeth have cavities. Should they be filled?

If baby teeth become diseased or decayed it can lead to pain and infection. It can also be difficult for children to eat a well-balanced meal with a mouth full of cavities. Untreated cavities also increase the amount of decay causing bacteria in the mouth. As permanent teeth erupt, they are at increased risk for developing cavities because of the higher bacteria count. Baby teeth also hold space in the mouth for the erupting permanent teeth. If the baby teeth become decayed or are taken out too early, the permanent teeth often become crowded and will likely need braces to straighten in the future

What are dental sealants and why do my kids need them?

The American Dental Association recommends that kids receive dental sealants as soon as their adult teeth erupt. Dental sealants are a quick, easy, and relatively cheap solution for preventing cavities. They are thin coatings applied to the biting surfaces that help prevent bacteria and other debris from getting into the deep crevices on the teeth. Young children are great candidates for preventative measures like sealants because in many cases, decay has not set in. Children’s teeth tend to benefit more from sealants because these pits and groves tend to be deeper and less calcified then they are in adults. Kids are notoriously bad brushers and tend to ignore the problem areas in the back of the mouth that lead to cavities and decay.

What happens if a woman has a dental problem when she is pregnant?

Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe, but are recommended. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums. Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.

Jokes & Fun Facts

Dental Jokes

Why did the king go to the dentist?
To get his teeth crowned!

What is a dentist’s favorite movie?
“Plaque to the Future”!

What did the judge say to the dentist?
“Do you swear to pull the tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth?”

What do you call a dentist’s advice?
His flossophy.

What does a marching band member use to brush his teeth?
A tuba toothpaste!

What’s a dentist’s favorite time of day?
Tooth-hurty!

How are false teeth like stars?
Both only come out at night!

Knock, knock.
Who’s there?
Dishes.
Dishes, who?
Dishes how I talk since I lost my teeth!

Jacob: What will the dentist give you for $1?
Buck teeth!

Dentist: What kind of filling do you want in your tooth?
Boy: Chocolate!

What does a dentist call an astronaut’s cavity?
“A black hole.”

What did the dentist say to the judge in court?
“You can’t handle the tooth!”

Patient: What did you do before you became a dentist?
Dentist: I was in the Army.
Patient: What did you do in the Army?
Dentist: I was a drill sergeant.

Why did the doughnut go to the dentist?
He needed a filling!

What did the dentist see at the North Pole?
A molar bear.

Fun Facts:

Elephant tusks are the longest teeth in the world! They can weigh over 400 lbs.

An elephant molar is 1 foot across and can weigh up to 9lbs!

A snails mouth is no larger than the head of a pin, but can have 25,000 teeth!

Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body; because it’s so durable, healthy tooth enamel protects teeth from cavity-causing oral bacteria.

Unlike bones or other parts of the body, teeth are incapable of self-repair. Therefore receiving fillings and other dental work is necessary to protect teeth from further damage.

You get 2 sets of teeth in your lifetime. The first set is your baby teeth. You will start to lose your baby teeth at around 6-7 years of age. By the time your 21 years old, you will only have permanent teeth.

An average American will use 14 inches of dental floss every year.

Giraffes have the same number of teeth as humans!

We produce 100,000 gallons of saliva in a lifetime!

Teeth are unique like fingerprints, you can determine age, ethnicity, eating habits and lifestyle from teeth!

Shark teeth are coated with a fluoride which prevents them from getting cavities!

If you are right handed, you tend to chew on the right side of your mouth and vice versa if you are left handed.

About 35% of the population never develops wisdom teeth.

The tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body!

About 2500 years ago the Mayans showed their understanding of dentistry and even bejeweled their teeth using early drills.