The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child is seen by 6 months after his/her first tooth erupts or by 1 year of age, whichever comes first. The reason the AAPD recommends dental examinations this early is to prevent dental disease. We will discuss strategies on toothbrushing, type of toothpaste to use, snacking, and other issues that can be very helpful in preventing future dental problems.

At your child's first visit, we will check the teeth for decay, check the gums and soft tissues, examine your child's bite. If indicated we will take x-rays. We will usually clean the teeth and give the child a fluoride treatment. All procedures will be explained to the patient in age appropriate terms. Following the examination, we will discuss all of the findings with the parent, discuss prevention strategies individualized for the child, and answer any questions you may have.

Do's: 1. Do tell your child about the appointment and use a positive approach. 2. Do show your child pictures of the office on our website 3. Do speak in "matter of fact" terms. Don'ts: 1. Don't make too big an issue about visiting the dentist. 2. Don't discuss difficult visits that you have had at the dentist. 3. Don't use terms like ‘shot’, ‘hurt’, and ‘drill’.

X-rays are determined by the circumstances of the child. The factors include age of the child, stage of dental development, and risk level.

Flossing removes plaque that normally would not be removed by a toothbrush. Everyday plaque accumulates in between the teeth. By removing the plaque daily with flossing, you improve tissue health, prevent in between the teeth cavities, and reduce your risk of periodontal disease. Products, such as a Waterpik and mouthwash, are good adjuncts for good oral hygiene, but they are not suitable replacements for flossing.

Research has shown ibuprofen can work well for adult tooth pain (do not use ibuprofen if your physician advises against its use). If a child has a toothache, take the appropriate dosage of Children’s Tylenol. In addition, oil of clove can be placed on a cotton swab and placed in a fractured portion of the tooth, if present. This can help soothe the tooth temporarily. Other products, such as OraGel, may temporarily relieve pain, but the numbing effect usually only works on soft tissue and not the tooth itself. Call our office as soon as possible for an emergency exam. Dr. Taylor will evaluate the area of concern, take appropriate steps to relieve pain, and develop a plan to definitively correct the problem. Waiting a toothache out will only make the problem worse, and, likely, more costly.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be caused by many factors, such as the foods you eat, dry mouth, periodontal disease, large cavities or abscessed teeth, tobacco, and diabetes. Brushing your teeth twice a day as well as gently brushing the top portion of your tongue can greatly improve breath. Bacteria buildup on the back portion of the upper tongue is a common cause of halitosis. By brushing your tongue you also reduce the staining of taste buds, or papillae, that become elongated and discolored without regular cleaning. Flossing will also prevent odor-causing food entrapment between teeth as well as reduce your risk of periodontal disease. For patients with dry mouth, typically from medications, chewing sugarless gum can stimulate saliva production that will help reduce bad breath but will also reduce the risk of cavities. Antibacterial mouthwashes can also be helpful with bad breath. It is important to note that mints only conceal the problem and does not address the cause. Please contact our office if your bad breath cannot be resolved because it can be an indication of a more significant problem.

Tobacco use in any form is linked to most cases of oral cancer. Other risk factors include age (>40 years old), males, heavy alcohol consumption, previous oral cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (causes oropharyngeal cancer), and prolonged sun exposure (causes lip cancer). The use of tobacco with regular, excessive alcohol consumption dramatically increases oral cancer risk than tobacco and alcohol, alone. However, oral cancer can occur in people who have no risk factors. To help prevent oral cancer it has been suggested to eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, maintain good oral hygiene, and attend regular dental exams for early detection of possible lesions. At Taylor Dentistry, an oral cancer screening is conducted at every checkup appointment.

Periodontal disease typically does not cause any pain or discomfort to the patient it afflicts. However, some warning signs include: persistent bad breath, loose or separating teeth, exposed tooth roots, red swollen gums, bleeding gums during toothbrushing and flossing, and/or pus between your teeth and gums. Although these warning signs are helpful, don’t wait for these to become evident in order to visit the dentist. Many of the warning signs don’t appear until later in the progression of the disease. At Taylor Dentistry, we evaluate for periodontal disease at every checkup as part of our exam.

Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy generally exacerbate response of the gums to plaque. As a result, increased bleeding of the gums during pregnancy (pregnancy gingivitis) is normal, but great oral hygiene will reduce irritation and make for healthier gums. Following the pregnancy, gum irritation and bleeding will decrease with continued good oral hygiene.

A dental checkup is very beneficial while pregnant. Stabilizing your oral health with any needed treatment while pregnant is important to help prevent potential dental worries after your baby is born. On the other hand, elective dentistry that is not essential, such as whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be delayed until after the pregnancy. At your checkup, Dr. Taylor will conduct an exam and cleaning while also reviewing dental care tips for you and your baby, discussing any needed treatment as well as the risks and benefits of accomplishing treatment during or after pregnancy.

Mouthguards cushion blows that might otherwise cause broken teeth and injuries to the lips. Traditional contact sports typically require mouthguards. However, they can also be beneficial in sports such as baseball, softball, volleyball, skateboarding, and any other sports where a ball or contact could cause a jaw or tooth injury. Generally, the better the mouthguard fits, the more protective it is to teeth and tissue and the more its worn, also. Due to this fact, store purchased mouthguards aren’t as protective as a custom made mouthguard made by a dentist. Currently, some research even indicates that properly fitted mouthguards may help reduce severity of concussions. If you have any questions, please ask us for more information regarding mouthguards.

Bruxism is a condition that involves grinding or clenching your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously grind or clench your teeth during the day or night. Bruxism puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw, and can wear the edges of teeth and cause chipping, fractures, and/or tooth sensitivity. Prevention of these problems begins with recognition that bruxism is occurring. According to one study, as many as 80% of bruxers may be unaware of the habit. Many times, teeth can be protected by wearing a small, custom-fitted guard at night. Dr. Taylor evaluates the teeth and TMJ at every checkup appointment for possible signs of bruxism.