Children’s Services

kid smiling

Relaxing Gas | Orthodontics (Braces) | Athletic Mouth Guard | Sealants | “Sip All Day” Information

At Rochester Family Dentistry we offer a full range of dental services from infancy through young adulthood. We have a children's section in our lobby which has several children's books and a toy train. We recommend bringing your child to our office for their first visit between 2 and 3 years old. It often helps to bring your 1-2 year old with you for a routine cleaning so they can acclimate and experience our office. Every child can get a Polaroid photo which is displayed in our lobby after each cleaning appointment in addition to a trip to our treasure chest.

Relaxing Gas

Definition: 1. Nitrous oxide (N2O) sedative. 2. Also known as "laughing gas".

If you are anxious or nervous about dental work, then relaxing gas is for you. It is calming and relaxing. We can usually deliver local anesthetic (give a "shot") without the patient realizing while breathing relaxing gas.

Relaxing gas is particularly safe and effective for children. It can be used alone or in conjunction with a local anesthetic.

There is no charge for relaxing gas and it is available for your use at any dental or professional cleaning appointment.

Orthodontics

Definition: Straightening teeth that are in malocclusion.

Some examples of malocclusion are crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, or jaws that are out of alignment. Most malocclusions are inherited, although some can be acquired. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or sucking of the thumb or fingers for a prolonged period of time.

Both Dr. Don and Dr. Mitch are certified in Invisalign treatment. We offer complimentary Invisalign records for patients of all ages.

If a referral to an orthodontic specialist is required we will do so at the appropriate time.

Athletic Mouth Guard

If you or your children participate in football, soccer, basketball, hockey or any other "contact" sport, an athletic mouth guard is a must. Mouth guards have two major benefits:

  1. They protect the teeth from trauma (fracture).
  2. They help prevent concussions.

One of the main causes of a concussion is the lower jaw forcefully hitting the upper jaw, i.e. the teeth getting slammed together. An athletic mouth guard acts as a shock absorber when the jaws get forcefully shut, therefore helping prevent a concussion. Custom mouth guards are more effective, fit better, and therefore are worn more than store bought "stock" mouth guards. Let us know if we can make a custom athletic mouth guard for you.

Sealants

Definition: A thin, plastic film that is painted on the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars to prevent tooth decay.

A sealant is a coating that seals the deep pits and grooves of permanent molar teeth. It protects them from tooth decay.

Molars are most susceptible to decay just after they erupt into the mouth (6-8 years old and 12-14 years old). Children 6-14 years old, therefore, benefit the most from sealants. Any molar that is not restored would benefit from a sealant.

Primary (baby) teeth do not have the deep pits and grooves that permanent molars have and therefore are not as susceptible to decay as permanent molars. Sealants don't stay on them nearly as well, and therefore we don't recommend sealing primary teeth.

Placing a sealant on a tooth is painless and requires no anesthetic. It generally takes 5-10 minutes per tooth to apply.

"Sip All Day" Information

Children’s Tooth Decay
A steady diet of soft drinks is a leading cause of tooth decay. The ingredients in many sugar-laden drinks, especially sodas, contribute to cavities and promote the destruction of tooth structure. There are about 10 teaspoons of sugar in a 12-ounce can. The sugar combines with bacteria in your mouth to form an acid that attacks the teeth. The attack starts with the first exposure to sugar and lasts until 20 minutes after the last exposure to sugar, so if you sip all day, your mouth is constantly under acid attack. Diet or "sugar free" pop contains its own acid that attacks teeth.

Protect Your Teeth
To protect teeth from soda pop and reduce tooth decay:
  1. Limit sugar intake by drinking soda pop in moderation.
  2. Don't sip for extended periods of time. Ongoing sipping prolongs sugar and acid attacks on your teeth.
  3. Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth.
  4. Drink water instead of pop. It has no sugar, no acid, and no calories.
  5. Brush twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss.
  6. Use anti-cavity fluoride rinse.

Call our office today (248-651-8787) to have your teeth or your children's teeth inspected for tooth decay and other destructive activity.