• Regular checkups every six months assists in removing stain and plaque from teeth and gums.
• Learning the proper way to care for your child’s teeth and gums at home is essential to preventing cavities.

• Children are growing and changing constantly. At each visit, we will provide you with knowledge about what growth and development to expect in the coming months. For example, we might discuss when to get rid of the sippy cup, when to work on quitting the thumb habit, when adult teeth will be coming in or when orthodontics will be necessary for your child.
• Keeping everyone well informed is the best way to keep your child’s mouth healthy.

• Dr. Angie uses the AAPD guidelines on prescribing radiographs
• X-rays can supplement the clinical examination and may be needed to assess health, growth and development. For example, she may request an x-ray to survey the eruption of teeth, check for missing teeth, evaluate a trauma, or monitor for bone diseases and other oral pathologies.
• Cavities can form in between the teeth, and the only way to anticipate or diagnose a cavity forming this way is through bitewing radiographs. To assess the health of periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and the nerve of a tooth a periapical radiograph may be prescribed. Panoramic Radiographs show the full mouth and jaw.
• Morningside Pediatric Dentistry is committed to minimizing radiation exposure to our young patients. We use digital radiography which provides 90% less exposure than traditional x-ray film. Radiation exposure from a set of bitewing radiographs is less than the amount an individual receives from daily radiation from the sun or from an airline flight.

• Fluoride prevents cavities. In fact, our neighbors at the CDC noted that fluoridated water was one of the greatest public health initiatives of the 20th century. That’s because fluoridated water reduced decay rates by 50%.
• “Too much of a good thing” can be bad. Ingesting too much fluoride can upset the stomach and over time can lead to fluorosis—staining of the teeth.
• Our office evaluates our patients’ fluoride exposure and caries risk to make the right recommendation in fluoride treatment for each patient.

• Evidence has shown that sealants when placed and maintained properly can reduce cavity rates by 80%.
• Sealants are a resin based material that are bonded over the grooves of the teeth. Sealants prevent food and bacteria from getting stuck in the grooves and causing decay.

Sports and hobbies can take their toll on our smiles. Preventing tooth related injuries with a simple mouthguard is a simple and easy investment in protecting your child’s smile.