Phone: 910-778-8485 fax: 910-436-8485

2980 Ray Road Spring Lake NC 28390 Near Overhills Schools

Vincent Vissichelli, DMD

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Specializing in the treatment of infants, children, teens and special needs patients.

Patient Forms

What to do when you Baby is Teething?

– Remove the drool on the baby’s face to prevent rashes from developing.
– Give the baby something hard or cold to chew on, making sure it is big enough that it can’t be swallowed or break into small pieces. Examples:
include refrigerated teething rings, pacifiers, spoons,
clean wet washcloths.
– Gently rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.
– If the baby seems irritable, tylenol can be used.
– Topical teething gels sold over the counter  are not recommended
These gels can carry serious risks, including local reactions, seizures (with overdose), and methemoglobinemia.
-Regularly disinfect teething rings and objects and
wash hands to avoid gastrointestinal disturbances
and infections.

Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a normal baby reflex. It helps babies feel secure and happy and helps them learn about their world. Babies may suck their thumbs, fingers, or hands, or a pacifier.   Most children stop the habit d between the ages of 2 and 4 years.

Thumb Sucking
* Babies who suck their thumbs usually continue the habit longer than pacifier users.

* Prolonged thumb sucking may cause problems with proper growth and development of the mouth and the alignment of teeth. It also can cause changes in the roof of the mouth.

* The most common dental effect of thumb sucking and pacifier use
is upward movement of the maxillary central incisors and palatal bone, which may result in an anterior open bite. Other possible effects include maxillary constriction and posterior crossbite.

* Children should be encouraged to discontinue their sucking habits by 4 years of age.

Pacifiers

* Pacifiers should never be dipped in sugary substances such as honey and sugar.

* Pacifier use during sleep is associated with a decreased incidence of sudden infant death syndrome.

* Pacifiers should never be used to replace or delay meals and should be offered only when the caregiver is certain the child is not hungry.

*Pacifiers should have ventilation holes and a shield wider than the child’s mouth.

* Pacifiers should be one piece and made of a durable
material, replaced when worn, and never tied by a
string to the crib or around a child’s neck or hand.

8 Facts about tooth Eruption

1.  The first tooth eruption is usually between 4 and 15 months of age.

2.  If eruption of the first tooth has not occurred by 18 months, make an appointment to see your pediatric dentist.

3.   Premature and low birth weight babies can have
delayed primary tooth eruption and enamel defects,
putting them at higher risk for decay.

4.   Eruption is usually lower teeth before upper teeth.  The lower front teeth are the first to erupt and the first to be replaced by permanent teeth.

5.    To remember the timing of the first 4 teeth erupt at 7 months then every 4 months 4 more teeth erupt until at 27 months all 20 baby teeth should have erupted.

6. For permanent teeth Eruption starts between 5 to 7 years and finishes by 13 to 14 years old except for wisdome teeth (third molars)

7.  It is common to see permanent teeth erupt behind
the primary incisor teeth in the lower jaw. This
typically resolves itself without intervention.
8.  The first permanent molars erupt behind the last baby tooth around 6 years of age.

 

Welcome to Firehouse Kids Dentistry Blog

Dr. Vincent Vissichelli and staff would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our blog! We are a leading pediatric dental practice located in Spring Lake, North Carolina that offers comprehensive pediatric dental services. We serve patients in Spring Lake and in the surrounding communities of Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Linden Oaks, Cameron, and Lillington. Our practice specializes in providing excellent dental care to infants, children and teens. We are skilled at relating to young people so that anxiety and fear is reduced.

When should I start brushing my babys teeth?

You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding (or bottle-feeding) use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You may wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to wipe your baby’s mouth.

When your baby’s first tooth comes in, switch to a baby toothbrush.  They have just a few bristles and are very soft.

7 Facts about Baby Teeth

1.   Primary teeth are also called baby teeth

2.  By age 3 years, there are usually 20 primary teeth.

3.  The spacing between children’s baby teeth is
important because it allows enough room for the
bigger, permanent teeth.

4.   Primary teeth have thinner enamel and appear whiter  than permanent teeth.

5.   Disease may progress more quickly in primary teeth.

6.   The biting surfaces of molars are grooved                         
and pitted.

7.   Permanent teeth have wavy edges
when they erupt, which smooth out with normal
wear and tear.

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