The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit the dentist within six months after their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.

The reason the AAPD recommends dental examinations at such an early age is to help prevent dental disease. During your child's visit, we will discuss proper toothbrushing techniques, the appropriate type of toothpaste to use, healthy snacking habits, and other preventive strategies that can be very helpful in preventing future dental problems.

At your child's first visit, we will examine the teeth for decay, evaluate the gums and other soft tissues, and assess your child's bite. If necessary, we will also take X-rays.

We will usually clean your child's teeth and provide a fluoride treatment to help strengthen the teeth and prevent cavities.

All procedures will be explained to your child using age-appropriate language to help them feel comfortable and understand what to expect.

Following the examination, we will review all of the findings with the parent, discuss individualized prevention strategies for your 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’.

The need for X-rays is determined by each child's individual circumstances. Factors considered include the child's age, stage of dental development, and risk for dental disease or cavities.

Flossing removes plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach. Plaque accumulates between the teeth every day, and removing it daily with floss helps improve gum tissue health, prevent cavities between the teeth, and reduce the risk of periodontal (gum) disease.

Products such as a Waterpik® and mouthwash are excellent additions to a good oral hygiene routine, but they should not be considered suitable replacements for daily flossing.

Research has shown that ibuprofen can be effective for relieving tooth pain in adults (do not take ibuprofen if your physician has advised against its use).

If a child has a toothache, give the appropriate dosage of Children's Tylenol® according to the product directions or your healthcare provider's instructions.

In addition, if the tooth is fractured, a small amount of clove oil may be applied with a cotton swab to the affected area. This may help temporarily soothe the tooth. Other products, such as Orajel®, may also provide temporary pain relief; however, the numbing effect typically works on the surrounding soft tissue rather than the tooth itself.

Call our office as soon as possible to schedule an emergency examination. Dr. Taylor will evaluate the area of concern, take the appropriate steps to relieve your pain, and develop a treatment plan to address the problem.

Delaying treatment for a toothache can allow the condition to worsen, making it more difficult—and often more expensive—to treat.

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 do 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), male gender, heavy alcohol consumption, previous oral cancer, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection (which can cause oropharyngeal cancer), and prolonged sun exposure (which can cause lip cancer).

The use of tobacco combined with regular, excessive alcohol consumption dramatically increases the risk of oral cancer more than tobacco or alcohol alone.

However, oral cancer can occur in people who have no known 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 the early detection of possible lesions.

At Taylor Dentistry, an oral cancer screening is conducted at every routine checkup appointment.

Periodontal disease typically does not cause any pain or discomfort to the patient it affects. However, some warning signs include persistent bad breath, loose or separating teeth, exposed tooth roots, red or swollen gums, bleeding gums during tooth brushing and flossing, and/or pus between your teeth and gums.

Although these warning signs are helpful, don't wait for them to become evident before visiting the dentist. Many of the warning signs do not appear until the later stages of the disease.

At Taylor Dentistry, we evaluate for periodontal disease at every checkup as part of your comprehensive dental examination.

Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy generally exacerbate the 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 during pregnancy is important to help prevent potential dental problems 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 examination and cleaning while also reviewing dental care tips for you and your baby, discussing any needed treatment, and explaining the risks and benefits of completing 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 activities where a ball or physical contact could cause a jaw or tooth injury.

Generally, the better a mouthguard fits, the more protection it provides for your teeth and oral tissues—and the more likely it is to be worn consistently.

Because of this, store-purchased mouthguards are generally not as protective as custom-made mouthguards fabricated by a dentist. Some current research even indicates that properly fitted mouthguards may help reduce the 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 while you sleep.

Bruxism places pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures surrounding your jaw. It can wear down the edges of your teeth and cause chipping, fractures, and/or tooth sensitivity.

Prevention of these problems begins with recognizing that bruxism is occurring. According to one study, as many as 80% of people with bruxism may be unaware of the habit.

In many cases, teeth can be protected by wearing a small, custom-fitted night guard. Dr. Taylor evaluates the teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) at every checkup appointment for possible signs of bruxism.