GROWING HEALTHY SMILES The board certified pediatric dentists at Jenkins and LeBlanc are committed to helping you at every stage of tooth development. WWW.KIDSMILEKC.COM
TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION ONE Why Does My Child Need a Pediatric Dentist? SECTION TWO My Child Lost a Tooth... Now What? SECTION THREE When Should I Schedule My Child s First Dental Visit? SECTION FOUR What if My Child Has a Cavity? SECTION FIVE Are Dental Sealants Necessary for My Child?
ONE Why Does My Child Need a Pediatric Dentist? Young children benefit greatly from a pediatric dental specialist. Here s why: Extensive Experience The board certified pediatric dentists at Jenkins and LeBlanc have extensive experience with the best restorations for children. Hopefully, your child won t need a filling, but if they do a pediatric dentist is best prepared to put your child at ease. Three Years Specialty Training Our pediatric dentists have two to three years specialty training following dental school. They not only have extra training and education for children s dental health, they also have knowledge on how to educate children on proper oral care. When this education is started very early in a child s life, it helps them develop good dental habits for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Special Skills Pediatric dentists are skilled at assisting your child if they are fearful or have special needs. Positive Experience The pediatric dentist offices at Jenkins and LeBlanc are designed to give every child a positive experience. We understand that a visit to the dentist may not be at the top of a child s fun list, so we make every effort to make kids feel welcome and at ease.
Caring Team Each child has unique dental health needs. At Jenkins and LeBlanc, our offices are filled with a skilled, caring team of experts who love to make the experience positive. We offer serveral treatment options for apprehensive patients. Our team works together in their expertise to provide excellent care and let each child know they care about them. Jenkins & LeBlanc has 5 convenient locations in the area Shawnee, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, and Kansas City. Schedule a check-up today! TWO My Child Lost a Tooth... Now What? Losing teeth is a natural part of childhood. Whether your child has just wiggled his or her first baby tooth out or had a permanent tooth knocked out during a game of dodge ball, we have answers to your questions and are here to help with your emergencies. What do I do when my child loses a baby tooth? A child s twenty baby teeth typically fall out in the same order they come in, meaning the first teeth to be lost are usually the lower center teeth, or lower center incisors. Children may start losing their baby teeth around age 5 or 6. The earlier a child began teething, the earlier baby teeth will begin to loosen. Some kids
may lose teeth before age 4 or after age 7, but if this is the case with your child, it s a good idea to check with a pediatric dentist to be sure there aren t any underlying problems. Most kids are excited about their first loose tooth and the possibility of a visit from the tooth fairy, but a few worry that losing a tooth will hurt. Reassure any worriers that they probably won t even feel anything when their teeth fall out. Encourage your child to wiggle those loose teeth but not to pull them out before they re ready, since this makes the broken root more susceptible to infection. Once the loose tooth falls out, the gum may bleed a bit, but swishing the mouth out with water usually takes care of the problem. If your child s gum continues to bleed, have him or her bite down on a piece of gauze or a clean towel. The bleeding should stop within an hour. It may take a few weeks for a permanent tooth to replace the lost baby tooth, and once it comes in, you may notice that it looks bigger, has a few more pronounced ridges, and doesn t look as white. This is all normal! Remember to help your children take extra good care of these new teeth, since these are the ones they will have forever. What do I do when my child loses a permanent tooth? First, don t panic! If you stay calm, this will help your child remain calm too. Next, retrieve the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown not the root. Gently clean it off with water, but don t scrub it or use soap. If possible, place the tooth back in the socket it fell out of, and hold it there with gauze or a washcloth. But if you aren t able to replace the tooth in the socket, put it in a clean container with milk until you are able to go to the dentist. Whether you are able to return the tooth to its socket or not, you should take your child and the tooth to your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. It is important for your child to receive care as soon as possible in order to save the tooth. Do you have any other questions about your child s teeth? Schedule an appointment today. We would love to talk through any concerns you may have and help answer them.
THREE When Should I Schedule My Child s First Dental Visit? Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Drs. Jenkins and LeBlanc recommend that a child s first dental visit be scheduled by their first birthday. It is very important to make the first visit as positive and enjoyable for the child as possible. We want your child to enjoy getting to know our doctors and staff and be comfortable at all times. A pleasant, comfortable first dental visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits. Let the child know that the doctors and staff will explain everything in detail and will answer any questions he/she has. Children should be encouraged to discuss any fears or anxiety they feel. Parents should not make a big deal out of the visit and refrain from using any words that could cause unnecessary fear, such as needle or drill. The team at Jenkins and LeBlanc is experienced in dealing with children with anxiety and can explain treatment procedures in a positive and pleasant manner to avoid any anxious or negative feelings toward dentistry. We will record the child s dental and medical history, complete a comprehensive examination and discuss any findings with you. We will also review the importance of maintaining a good dental health program with you and your child to ensure a healthy and beautiful smile for life!
FOUR What if My Child Has a Cavity? If your child has a cavity, you re not alone! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 40% of kids get a cavity in a baby tooth before age 11. These cavities can be caused by a variety of factors, but a common culprit for kids is sugary foods and drinks. Drs. Jenkins & LeBlanc have extensive experience in the best dental restorations for children. Some common procedures include: Fillings Fillings are a common treatment for cavities. To add a filling, the dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth with a drill and fill the hole with a silvery alloy, gold, porcelain, or a composite resin. All of these materials are completely safe for your child. Crown If a tooth has significant decay so that not much of it remains, it may require a crown rather than a filling. Your dentist will remove the damaged portion of the tooth and then fit it with a crown made of gold, porcelain, or porcelain fused to metal. Root Canal If the root or pulp of your child s tooth is dead, your dentist will need to remove the nerve, tissue, and blood vessels, along with the decayed portion of the tooth. A sealing material will be used to fill in the roots of the tooth, and a crown may be required to cover the filling. The best way to prevent cavities is good dental hygiene. Until your child is managing successfully on their own, help them brush their teeth 2-3 times a day, and begin flossing teeth wherever two teeth are touching. If you want to learn more about your child s teeth, check out our post about baby teeth or our FAQ page. If you have additional questions or are worried your child may have a cavity, contact us today to schedule an appointment!
FIVE Are Dental Sealants Necessary for My Child? Dental sealants are a valuable option for keeping your child s teeth cavity free. The board certified pediatric dentists at Jenkins & LeBlanc may recommend dental sealants as part of your child s treatment. What Are Dental Sealants? Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating used to protect the surfaces of teeth. Dentists apply sealants on the permanent back molars because tooth decay most often occurs here. What Do Dental Sealants Do? Dental sealants help prevent the buildup of plaque on the enamel surface of teeth. They act as a barricade to shield the space between the tooth surface and food particles or bacteria that may cause a cavity. Why Would My Child Need Dental Sealants? Some surfaces of teeth are hard to brush and floss, especially for children. Over time, plaque buildup could cause cavities and lead to tooth decay. Sealants help prevent the teeth from decaying. When Should My Child Get Dental Sealants? Sealants are usually placed on the first permanent molar as soon as it has completely emerged from the gum. Because tooth decay can begin early in life, it is important for children and teenagers to get sealants once their permanent teeth come in.
Are Dental Sealants Safe On Baby Teeth? Yes, although dental sealants are normally placed on permanent molars, they may be safely used on baby teeth as well. Jenkins and LeBlanc will happily discuss any questions you may have about dental sealants and your child s teeth. How Long Do Dental Sealants Last? Dental sealants can last up to 10 years. However, regular check-ups at the dentist are necessary to check if the dental sealants have chipped or have worn away. What If My Child s Dental Sealant Is Damaged? If a sealant becomes damaged, a dentist can remove and replace it with a new one. What s The Difference Between A Dental Sealant And A Filling? Sealants are a preventive measure to help avoid tooth decay. Fillings restore the tooth already damaged by tooth decay. What Do Dental Sealants Cost? Dental sealants are not only valuable for your child s dental health but are also an affordable option. Having sealants put on teeth before they decay will help you avoid future dental procedures like fillings, crowns, or caps. Most insurance companies cover the cost of sealants, so be sure to check with your dental insurance carrier to see if sealants are covered in your plan. At Jenkins & LeBlanc, we focus our practice solely on the dental care of infants, children, and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. We provide: - Board Certified Pediatric Dentists: Jill Jenkins, DDS & Michael LeBlanc, DDS - Compassionate team of experts that will put your child at ease - Professional dental cleanings & the best restorations for children - Oral health education - Kid-friendly environment including fun incentives at every visit Check out our blog for more information about oral health and answers to frequently asked questions. We look forward to meeting you at one of our five offices around Kansas City: Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Kansas City KS, and Shawnee. WWW.KIDSMILEKC.COM