Oral Hygiene Instruction and Education

A large part of our practice is educating and demonstrating the techniques for keeping not only teeth, but the entire mouth clean and healthy. We discuss ways for children to improve oral health at home and how to correctly care for their teeth. We present brushing and flossing instructions and discuss risk factors for tooth decay and gum infections in the mouth.

Exams
Exams are a very important part of preventative care.  They provide an opportunity for the dentist to observe your child's development, teeth, surrounding soft tissues, and jaw. They also allow us to catch any problems that may be present and discuss treatment options.
Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentisty, recommends that your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday. Regular cleanings are critical to your child’s development of healthy teeth and gums. We perform regular check-ups, cleanings and oral health evaluations in our children’s dental office.
 

Children’s Fluoride Treatments
Cavities form when there is a weakening in the mineral composition of the enamel of your teeth. Fluoride promotes the remineralization of these decalcified spots, therefore helping to prevent cavities.  Low level of fluoride is found naturally in some bodies of water.  Fluoride can also be found in many household products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and even some bottled water.
Our dentists will monitor the development of your child’s teeth in order to prescribe the specific amount of fluoride that your child may need.  In general, there is a careful balance between too much fluoride and too little fluoride.  An excess of fluoride may damage developing teeth leading to fluorosis; while a deficit of fluoride leaves your child’s teeth susceptible to tooth decay. Fluorosis presents in various forms that affect developing permanent teeth by causing white spots to form.
 

Routine Cleanings
Research has shown that regular cleanings by dental professionals aid in the prevention of oral diseases. A lot of parents may think that gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease is only an adult problem. However, gingivitis (the first stage of periodontal disease) is a common problem in children and adolescents. The bacteria in plaque can release toxins around the gum and cause inflammation and infection. This makes the gum tissue swell up, turn red, and bleed easily. Routine cleanings help to identify and prevent this issue, and we recommend these cleanings at least twice a year.
Your child’s teeth will be thoroughly cleaned to remove plaque and calculus (hard tarter deposits), which can cause cavities and gum disease. After the cleaning, fluoride will be applied to the teeth to help protect and strengthen the weak areas against decay.  For a healthy child, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a visit to the pediatric dentist at least every six months to evaluate your child’s oral health and development.  However, if your child has special needs or is more predisposed to dental caries, the dentist may recommend more frequent visits to more closely manage your child’s oral health. Regular cleanings are critical to your child’s development of healthy teeth and gums.
 
Sealants
Sealants are thin, white plastic coatings that are applied to the tops or chewing surfaces of back teeth and are highly effective in preventing tooth decay.  The naturally occurring pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth can often collect plaque. These small grooves and cracks are the most susceptible to cavities in children and teens and benefit the least from topical fluoride.  Sealants and fluoride work together to help prevent tooth decay.  On average, sealants last for up to 5 years with proper maintenance.  At every dental check-up, the dentist will check that the sealants are intact.  In order to prolong the life of your child’s sealants, avoid crunchy foods and avoid chewing on ice and hard candy (i.e. Jolly Ranchers, Lifesavers, etc).
 

Dental Fillings
Tooth decay (caries) is a progressive disease that often begins in very young children.  Bacteria that normally live in the mouth react with sugars from foods and drinks to create acid that slowly eats away at the enamel of your child’s teeth and can also damage sensitive gum tissue. With the loss of enamel, weak points in the teeth form.  These weak areas become cavities– which left alone can lead to irreversible nerve damage and the necessary early extraction of your child’s tooth.
Again, early treatment is the key.  As soon as a cavity is identified, your pediatric dentist can repair the tooth using tooth-colored fillings.  If the cavity is too deep, a pulpotomy nerve treatment and stainless steel crown or extraction of the tooth may be needed. Effective brushing and flossing, the proper use of fluoride, and a balanced diet can help minimize the amount of decay to help your child have a happy, cavity-free smile!

 
Tooth Colored Fillings
Tooth colored fillings are used to restore front or back teeth or where cosmetic appearance is important.  Composites are used to repair fractured teeth and/or areas of decay. The shade of the composite restorative material is matched as closely as possible to the color of the natural teeth.
 

Early (Interceptive) Orthodontic Treatment
It's never too early to keep an eye on your child's oral development. Dr. Rusu can identify malocclusion (crowded or crooked teeth) or bite problems and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth.  Interceptive orthodontic treatment can prevent more extensive treatment later.  Dr. Rusu checks the progress of your child’s bite and jaw development with routine dental examinations.  This early assessment of your child’s teeth may prevent extensive orthodontic work in his/her future.


Zirconia Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are used to cover a tooth that might be likely to break or is too damaged and decayed to be fixed with a filling. A crown is an aesthetic covering or a tooth-shaped “cap” that is placed over another tooth to provide it stability. Crowns are generally used to improve the strength or appearance of teeth. When a large cavity threatens the ongoing health of a tooth, a crown is a good option. Crowns are also used to restore the shape and size of chipped or damaged teeth. They are typically bonded to the tooth using dental cement. We only recommend dental crowns for children when it is absolutely necessary.
 

Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs)
Stainless steel crowns are used to restore back teeth that are too badly decayed to hold white fillings.  When tooth decay on back teeth has been left untreated, teeth may have extensive damage to the enamel, dentin and sometimes the nerve (pulp). In such cases, tooth-colored fillings are not a viable option, and stainless steel crowns necessary.  These prefabricated sliver-colored crowns are fit; then cemented onto the primary (baby) teeth to prevent further damage until these teeth are naturally lost.
 

Laughing gas
Some children are given nitrous oxide (commonly called “laughing gas”) to help them relax for dental treatment. This blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide, is given through a small breathing mask placed over the child’s nose. The gas is mild, easily taken, and quickly eliminated from the body. Nitrous oxide gives most children a relaxed, comfortable feeling. While inhaling nitrous oxide, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes. This technique is a very safe, effective way to treat a mildly anxious child.
 
 
 
Root Canal Treatments
Pulp therapy (pulpotomy) is the treatment of infected nerves and blood vessels in teeth.  Pulp therapy generally becomes necessary for two reasons: either as a result of extensive tooth decay (dental cavities) or as the result of tooth injury.  Failure to provide the necessary pulp therapy could result in your child experiencing pain, infection, swelling, or loss of the tooth. 
Many cavities may be so deep that they extend to the nerve, often causing pain and discomfort.  When this happens, the infected part of the nerve must be removed. The remaining healthy nerve will be left intact and medicated. The purpose of a pulpotomy is to extend the life of the baby tooth, thereby avoiding the need for extraction and a space maintainer, until the eruption of the permanent tooth. In other words, the tooth can be preserved for chewing food and maintaining proper space for permanent teeth, as well as helping your child to preserve a healthy, happy smile.

 
Extractions (Tooth Removal)
Extractions are done only as a last resort in the case of severe tooth decay.  If a primary molar is removed prematurely, a space maintainer will be placed.  Some extractions are needed for orthodontic reasons to help facilitate tooth alignment when crowded teeth are present.  Primary teeth are essential in maintaining the correct spacing in your child’s jaw for the permanent teeth. 

 
 
Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are used when a primary tooth has been prematurely lost (or extracted) to hold space for the developing permanent tooth. If space is not maintained, teeth on either side of the extraction site can drift into the space and prevent the permanent tooth from erupting into its proper position.  The space maintainer will be removed from your child’s mouth once his/her permanent tooth replacing the extracted tooth comes in.
 

Common Pediatric Dental Emergencies
No parent ever wants to see their child in pain.  However, dental emergencies can sometimes occur.  Some of the most common pediatric dental emergencies include:

• Toothache
• Dental Avulsion (Knocked Out Tooth)
• Dental Intrusion (tooth pushed into jaw bone)
• Tooth Displacement (luxation, Extrusion)
• Broken Tooth (crown fracture)
• Root Fracture
• Dental Concussion

 
 
Custom-Fitted Athletic Dental Mouth Guards for the Little Athlete in Your Life
Anyone who plays sports or engages in athletic activity, whether competitive or not, can protect themselves by wearing an athletic mouthguard. We offer custom, form-fitting mouth guards to patients of all ages.
Damaging jaw and tooth impact can be caused by everything from a direct contact to an awkward or misplaced step while running. Custom-made mouthguards provide stability to your jaw and cushion the blows that can cause severe dental injuries, like broken teeth, fractures in the jaw, gum lacerations and injuries to your lips or tongue caused by your own teeth. A knocked out tooth can end up costing thousands of dollars to properly replace it!