How to Be Part of Our Cavity-Free Club
March 3, 2020
Want to help your child become a member of the Cavity-Free Club? It takes just a few minutes a day to establish a good oral hygiene routine. Read on to learn more!
Start Early
Many parents are unsure of the best time to start brushing and flossing their child’s teeth. What many parents don’t know is that they should begin good oral care before any teeth emerge. The AAP recommends wiping a baby’s gums with a baby toothbrush or soft washcloth after feeding. Once the first tooth erupts, parents should start brushing for two minutes two times a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.
When it comes to flossing, it’s best to start when the child has teeth that are in contact with one another. This usually occurs around age two or three. When teeth come in contact with one another, food particles can become lodged in the space in between. It’s important to teach them to upkeep their brushing and flossing every day, morning and night.
Brush and Floss
Brushing and flossing are the foundation for good oral health. Children should brush their teeth with the help of a parent starting from infancy. Only a small dab of toothpaste is needed for young children. Use a fluoride-free toothpaste until your child is old enough to spit it out, then you can switch to fluoride toothpaste as they get older. Show your child how to brush each tooth, front and back, along with the gums, and on the tongue. If you are not sure of the correct technique, ask your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist to show you.
By the time that your child is 7 or 8 years old, they may be ready to start brushing on their own. This is also the time to switch to a larger-sized toothbrush. When brushing, set a timer for two minutes to ensure that your child does not stop brushing before an adequate amount of time has passed. Also, teach your child to floss at least once a day. If you find traditional floss difficult to use, try floss equipped with a handle to make it easier. Don’t forget to replace your child’s toothbrush every three to six months.
Eat Healthy
Diet plays a major role in the health of teeth and gums. Children who consume a high sugar diet are at a much higher risk of developing tooth decay. Limit the amount of soda, juice, sweetened drinks, and other sugary treats that your child has. It is also a good idea to limit snacking between meals. When your child does have sugar, have them brush afterward.
Children over the age of two should drink mostly water to stay hydrated. Water is not only healthy for children but also helps to wash away food debris and dilute acids that can weaken enamel. Provide your child with a balanced diet containing fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy, nuts, and seeds. Older children can benefit from chewing sugarless gum with xylitol, which can help stimulate the salivary glands, strengthen the jaw, wash away bits of food, freshen breath, and balance the acids that cause decay.
Visit a Pediatric Dentist
As soon as teeth emerge, cavities can develop. That is why it’s important for your child to visit a pediatric dentist at least every six months. At Dr. Maggie Davis & Associates, we offer a wide range of preventative services to keep your child’s smile gleaming. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist will also help ensure that your child is part of our Cavity-Free Club month after month. Call us today to schedule your child’s first appointment and get your child one step closer to a cavity-free life!
Toddlers and Tongue Health
December 5, 2019
How the Tongue Collects Bacteria
It’s important to remember that bacteria are microscopic and that they can hide anywhere there is a tiny crack or crevice. This includes between and on the taste buds, along the bottom of the tongue, and on or around all the supporting structures. When the tongue isn’t brushed or scraped, those bacteria continue to flourish and can contribute to bad breath, gum disease, and tooth decay.
When to Brush Your Tongue
It’s important to brush your tongue and have your kids brush their tongues every time they brush their teeth. The good news is that you can simply use your toothbrush to accomplish this task. However, you can also purchase a dedicated tongue scraper, which is designed to clean the tongue and remove all the plaque and bacteria that are hiding in the crevices of the tongue.
It’s important to note that rinsing your mouth or having your kids rinse their mouths with a fluoride or an age-appropriate antibacterial mouthwash won’t kill the bacteria on the tongue. Instead, it will kill and wash away the top layer of the biofilm, leaving the deeper layers intact. This still is not sufficient enough to keep the tongue and mouth free of excessive bacteria.
How to Brush Your Tongue
Brushing the tongue can be accomplished with the same toothbrush you and your kids use to brush your teeth. You can also purchase a tongue scraper from any dental hygiene department in most big-box retailers or at your local drugstore.
Brushing Your Tongue with a Toothbrush
Using a toothbrush to brush your tongue is fairly simple. You want to reach every surface of the tongue by first brushing back and forth across the tongue. You can start anywhere on the tongue but remember that you need to reach every surface of the tongue just like when you brush your teeth and brush along the gumline. Next, brush side to side along the tongue from front to back or back to front. Lastly, rinse your mouth with water to remove all the toothpaste and everything brushed from your tongue and teeth. Our pediatric dentist recommends using a soft-bristled toothbrush for this task to prevent causing tiny cuts on your tongue or injuries to your tongue that could be caused by over-brushing.
Using a Tongue Scraper to Scrape Your Tongue
It’s estimated that using a tongue scraper to clean all the bacteria and plaque from the tongue is 30 percent more effective than using a toothbrush. If you are teaching your children how to properly clean their tongues with a tongue scraper, instruct them to stand in front of a mirror and stick out their tongues as far as they can stick them out. Tongue scrapers have a rounded leading edge. That should be placed at the back of the tongue. Next, slowly pull the tongue scraper forward along the surface of the tongue. It’s important not to press too hard, or it could result in injuries to the tongue. It’s always important to start in the middle of the back of the tongue and move the scraper forward toward your teeth, never backward toward your throat. It usually takes one of two passes along the surface to completely remove all the bacteria and plaque. Between passes, we recommend wiping the scraper with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Pediatric Dental Visits with our Children’s Dentist in Palm Harbor
In addition to brushing, flossing, rinsing, and scraping your tongue, remember to schedule regular pediatric dental visits with our children’s dentist in Palm Harbor. Regular professional teeth cleanings and additional services, like dental sealants, can help reduce your child’s risk of developing cavities, and gum disease and find oral health problems early.
To schedule your child’s next dental appointment with our dentist in Palm Harbor, give us a call at 727-786-7551.
Is Dental Sedation Safe For Children?
September 4, 2019
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is beneficial for helping your child feel relaxed and calm during his or her dental appointment, especially if the treatments are going to take a long time to complete. Sedation also ensures a pain-free appointment where your child won’t be distracted or resistant to the treatments. Additionally, procedures typically get accomplished faster with sedation dentistry due to your child not constantly squirming in their chairs. Sedation dentistry is also recommended for special needs children who may not understand why they are at the dentist or have the ability to sit still for an extended period of time.
Ensuring Sedation Dentistry Safety
Our pediatric dentist in Palm Harbor, Dr. Maggie Davis is committed to ensuring your child’s safety before, during, and after all sedation dentistry appointments. This means that prior to giving your child any type of sedation medication, we will always:
- Talk to you about your child’s health, dental anxiety, fear, and pain tolerances
- Talk to your pediatrician to make sure your child is healthy enough for sedation dentistry
- Monitor your child while he or she is sedated
- Have the appropriate medical professionals on-site
Types of Sedation Dentistry Offered by Our Dentist for Children
Our dentist for children in Pam Harbor offers three types of sedation dentistry: nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. The type of sedation offered by our dentist depends on your child’s age, anxiety levels, and overall health.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas. It is the mildest form of dental sedation. We recommend nitrous oxide for children who experience anxiety or fear while at the dentist. Once your child starts inhaling the mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, the effects take hold within a few minutes. This medication will help your child relax and increase his or her tolerance for discomfort. Once the dental procedures are complete, the nose mask is removed, and your child will recover from the gas relatively quickly. It’s important to note that your child will remain awake while under the effects of the nitrous oxide.
Oral Pediatric Dental Sedation
Oral pediatric dental sedation involves giving your child medication by mouth. The medication will help your child relax and put them in a groggy state, but will not put them to sleep. We recommend oral sedation for children who have special needs, are developmentally delayed, or for children who are too young to understand or tolerate the dental procedures. While your child is sedated with oral medication, our staff will continuously monitor their vitals to ensure safety. As an additional precaution, we will also talk to your child’s pediatrician prior to your dental appointment in order to ensure your child is healthy enough for the medication and not allergic to any of the ingredients.
IV Dental Sedation
IV dental sedation is the deepest form of sedation we offer at our dental office in Palm Harbor. This type of sedation does not put your child into a deep sleep, like would be needed for surgery. Instead, they are in a deep twilight state that may result in them nodding off, but they can be woken with a light tap. During this type of sedation, we bring anesthesiologists and nurses into our office to administer the IV sedation and to monitor your child. When they arrive, they bring hospital sedation machinery and monitoring equipment with them, and the medical team never leaves the room while your child is under IV sedation. We recommend IV sedation for special needs children and children who are significantly developmentally delayed or who are too young to fully cooperate with instructions during the dental appointment.
To schedule your child’s sedation dentistry appointment in Palm Harbor, contact our office at 727-786-7551.
How Will Tooth Bonding Change My Child’s Smile?
July 2, 2019
Does your child have chips, cracks, or cavities that are affecting the appearance of his or her teeth? Dental bonding can improve the appearance of your child’s teeth and help them feel better about themselves. It can also eliminate tooth pain from any unfilled cavities.
Understanding Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is a minor cosmetic procedure that’s designed to fix small imperfections in the teeth, including cracks, chips, small gaps between the teeth and small cavities. The tooth bonding material is a composite resin that is tooth-colored, which means once it’s placed and cured, it looks just like your child’s other teeth. In other words, tooth bonding will improve your child’s smile and help them feel more confident about their appearance. You may even notice that your child smiles more often in order to show off their beautiful teeth.
Benefits of Pediatric Tooth Bonding
Pediatric tooth bonding is a painless way to improve the appearance of your child’s teeth. It’s also minimally invasive. If it’s used to fix cracks and chips, no local anesthetic is required. The procedure has many benefits like:
- Each Tooth Takes a Maximum of 60 Minutes.
- It Fixes Minor Tooth Imperfections.
- It’s Completely Safe for Your Child.
- It Lasts Between Three and Seven Years.
- It’s Typically Considered Preventative and May Be Covered by Your Dental Insurance.
Tooth Bonding Procedure
The process starts with an examination of your child’s teeth and gums to locate any potential oral health issues, like cavities and dental decay. Next, your dentist identifies the teeth that would benefit from tooth bonding. This can include any teeth that are misshapen, cracked, chipped, small or that have yellow or white stains. If the bonding material is going to be used to fill a small cavity or your child is extremely sensitive to mouth discomfort, a administer local anesthetic is used to ensure that your child is comfortable during the bonding process.
When filling cavities using the composite material, a local anesthetic to make sure your child is completely comfortable. Next, your dentist will prepare the tooth to accept the resin. This typically involves slightly roughing up the surface of the tooth and applying a small amount of binding agent. This helps ensure that the composite resin bonds to the tooth.
Your dentist will then mix the resin and carefully apply it to the tooth. During the application process, the resin will be shaped so that it resembles your other child’s teeth. Once the appearance is ideal, the composite resin will be cured using an ultraviolet light.
Finally, your dentist will file and smooth the resin for a completely finished look. The entire process typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes per tooth, and once the resin has hardened, you can expect it to last between three and seven years. If your child needs other dental services, like teeth cleaning and x-rays, these can be performed during the same dental appointment.
Further Treatment
In some instances, your child may need the advanced services of an orthodontist in order to improve the appearance of the teeth. If upon examining your child’s teeth and mouth and consulting with you, this is determined to be the best course of action, we will refer you to the orthodontist right next to our office.
Visiting Dr. Maggie Davis To Improve Your Child’s Smile
Our pediatric dentist, Dr. Maggie Davis, offers tooth bonding for children. If you’re looking for “pediatric dentist near me” in Palm Harbor Florida, look no further than Dr. Maggie Davis. She offers all types of pediatric dental services, including dental checkups, tooth bonding, and fillings. She even offers dental services for special needs children. To schedule your child’s next appointment, give us a call at 727-786-7551.
All About Silver Diamine Fluoride
April 15, 2019
Oh no! You just discovered that your child has a cavity that needs to be treated. Before you automatically jump to conclusions and assume that your child is going to have to sit through drilling, filling, and sedation, you might want to look into a relatively new treatment option for cavities – silver diamine fluoride.
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver diamine fluoride is a thin liquid that can be used to stop the progression of tooth decay that is causing a cavity. The liquid is quickly and painlessly brushed onto the area where the cavity is forming. Once the growth of the tooth decay is stopped, the cavity will not grow in size.
The Benefits of Silver Diamine Fluoride
The use of silver diamine fluoride is growing in popularity due to its numerous benefits. Some of the benefits of this non-invasive procedure include:
- No need for sedation – the procedure takes seconds so there is no need to sedate a child to make them sit still
- No drilling involved
- Painless – fluoride is brushed onto the tooth and most children barely notice it
- High success rate – silver diamine fluoride has a high success rate when it comes to stopping the progression of a cavity
The Downside to Silver Diamine Fluoride
Like any dental procedure, there are benefits and drawbacks to choosing to use silver diamine fluoride to treat your child’s cavity.
The first major drawback is discoloration. When the silver diamine fluoride is brushed onto the tooth, it actively works to stop tooth decay that is causing the cavity. The area where the cavity was will turn a dark blackish color. This discoloration won’t harm your child’s oral health, but it could make them feel self-conscious if the large black stain is visible when your child smiles.
Another downside to using silver diamine fluoride to treat cavities is the need to monitor the cavity. Your child’s dentist will need to regularly monitor the area where the silver diamine fluoride was applied. The dentist will be looking for any signs that the tooth decay has continued to spread and is causing additional cavities.
Other drawbacks include:
- Inability to fully restore the strength of the tooth
- Need to have the fluoride reapplied
- Problems may develop with your child’s bite if they continue to avoid the area where the cavity was while eating and chewing
Who is a Good Candidate for the Use of Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver diamine fluoride may be a good treatment option for cavities if your child has any of the following features:
- Younger children – this non-invasive cavity treatment option is great for younger children who may not be able to sit still for the entire filling process. Instead of having them sedated, this non-invasive procedure allows for the cavity to be properly treated
- Special needs or sensory disorders – children who may have sensory disorders and other special needs will find this quick, painless procedure easy to endure
- A cavity that formed in a baby tooth
- A cavity that formed in a permanent back tooth
- A cavity that isn’t too deep
Speak with a Pediatric Dentist to See if Silver Diamine Fluoride is a Good Option for Your Child
Dr. Maggie Davis is a pediatric dentist who offers silver diamine fluoride as a treatment option for cavities. Not every child is going to be a good candidate for the use of silver diamine fluoride to treat a cavity. If your child is not a good candidate for this dental treatment, Dr. Davis can provide you with treatment recommendations that will improve your child’s oral health.
Call the office of Dr. Maggie Davis today to schedule an appointment for a pediatric dental checkup for your child or to ask any questions you may have about silver diamine fluoride.
Baby Safety Month: Including Oral Health
September 15, 2018
Knowledge is power when it comes to keeping your child safe. In an effort to help parents learn everything they need to know about child safety, health care providers, dentists, and childcare providers have declared the month of September to be Baby Safety Month and Dr. Maggie Davis will be taking part.
What is Baby Safety Month?
Baby Safety Month was created by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) as a way to help raise awareness about safety issues that affect children. During the month of September product manufacturers, retailers, doctors, dentists, and caregivers are encouraged to spread the word about the importance of baby safety.
Participants who have made the commitment to take part in Baby Safety Month will so everything they can to educate parents on important child safety issues. Participants can take part by holding community classes that discuss specific safety issues, passing out information sheets that provide safety tips, holding giveaways, or just making a conscious effort to focus on safety when talking with parents.
Oral Care Safety Tips That Will Keep Your Child Safe
Dr. Maggie Davis is taking part in Baby Safety Month by providing parents with a list of oral care safety tips. These safety tips can help parents improve their child’s oral health and keep them safe.
The following are oral care safety tips that every parent should know:
- Clean your child’s gums after every feeding and before bed. Many parents believe that because their child doesn’t have teeth there is no need to brush. That is partly correct. You don’t need to brush, but you do need to wipe the gums down with a damp cloth or piece of gauze. This will remove any bacteria and food particles that have accumulated around your child’s gums.
- Schedule an appointment for a dental checkup around your child’s first birthday. This appointment will not only be used to assess your child’s oral health, but it provides you with valuable information you will need to keep your child healthy and happy.
- Make sure your child is using safe teething products. Don’t allow them to teeth on products that contain harmful chemicals or ones that have small pieces that could fall off.
- Use toothpaste that is child-friendly. Child-friendly toothpaste tends to be fluoride-free. It is important to use fluoride-free toothpaste as children may swallow the toothpaste and you don’t want them to ingest too much fluoride.
- Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. This will prevent any damage from occurring to your child’s teeth and gums.
- Don’t keep a bottle with your child while they sleep. This is not only a potential choking hazard, but it can cause bacteria to grow and develop in your child’s mouth which will lead to tooth decay.
- Avoid sharing things such as straws, cups, and utensils with your child. It is extremely easy to pass the bacteria in your mouth to your child when you share these items.
- Try to avoid overexposure to fluoride.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Maggie Davis to Learn More
There is so much you can learn about keeping your child safe that it is difficult to include it all into one article. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Maggie Davis to learn more safety tips that will keep your child safe for many years to come.
During your first appointment with Dr. Maggie Davis, the focus is on assessing your child’s oral health and providing you with valuable information you need to keep your child safe and healthy. The appointment will start with Dr. Davis examining your child’s gums and teeth and looking for any potential problems. After the examination is complete, Dr. Davis will provide you with any treatment recommendations.
In addition to conducting an examination, Dr. Davis will be focused on teaching you what you need to know to properly care for your child’s oral health. She will discuss your child’s tooth development, what you can do to prevent future dental problems, and teach you how to properly care for your child’s teeth and gums. A worksheet filled with all this information will be provided so you can keep it handy and reference it as needed.
Interested in scheduling an appointment? Call our office. We look forward to seeing you and your child.
Get Back to School Clean Smiles!
August 9, 2018
With the new school year starting very soon, you’re probably doing everything possible to make sure your child is ready for a successful and happy year. While buying new clothes, choosing the right school supplies, and perusing school schedules are all important, so is your child’s oral health. To set your child up for success now and throughout their school year, this is the perfect time to do a little bit of smile prep. Here are three tips to help your child have a clean and healthy smile for the new year.
Arrange a Cleaning and Check-up
Dr. Davis recommends that her young patients come in for a cleaning and a check-up prior to the start of the school year. A routine cleaning allows your child to get rid of any plaque and tartar that may have accumulated, and it gives them a clean start on oral health for the new school year.
During the check-up, Dr. Davis can evaluate your child’s tooth and gum health. If there are any issues like cavities, they can be filled promptly to prevent the issue from worsening enough to require more complex treatment. If your child has signs of tooth decay or gum disease, Dr. Davis can recommend treatments like sealants or fluoride treatments. This type of treatment, when combined with careful dental care throughout the school year, can preserve health and prevent future problems.
Create Some Oral Health Care Goals For Your Child
During the school year, your child’s progress is measured by their teacher — and at home, you can create a progress chart to help them keep track of their oral health routine. Many children find it rewarding to have a progress chart that they can mark each time they brush. Aim to two checkmarks per day — one in the “morning” column and one in the “bedtime” column.
If your child can keep up a streak of a week, reward them with something they love. A new book, a small toy, or something else that keeps them motivated can work well — and many kids enjoy having a brushing chart just for the feeling of accomplishment that they derive from it.
Make Lunches and Snacks Healthy — But Still Fun
During the school year, your child can be particularly likely to binge on unhealthy foods because they’re away from your influence for longer. Fortunately, you can still have a hand in what your child eats even when you’re not there if you pack their lunch with healthy (but still interesting!) options.
Even when a food is healthy, kids are more likely to enjoy it if it’s packaged in a fun and unique way. Consider cut up veggies — but add an individual container of hummus dip for fun. Instead of a piece of fruit, make a mixed fruit salad or create mini fruit skewers. Instead of a plain old sandwich, make a “roll up” with a tortilla, meat, and cheese. You can make mini skewers of cheese cubes or pack the tiny pre-packaged cheese rounds for a fun and delicious treat. These ideas can also work as perfect after-school snacks — and they’re engaging enough to keep your child distracted from asking for potato chips, sugar, or other teeth-destroying options.
Looking For a Pediatric Dentist to Help Your Child Start the New School Year Out Right?
Dr. Maggie Davis is a Palm Harbor, Florida pediatric dentist who can help with all aspects of your child’s dental care. She’s here for back to school check-ups, dental emergencies, help with thumb or pacifier sucking, interceptive orthodontics, space maintenance, fillings, crowns, bonding, and much more. Dr. Davis delivers dental care with compassion and understanding, and she’s a favorite with kids of all ages. To ensure that your child is comfortable, Dr. Davis offers multiple sedation options for fillings or other dental work. Contact Dr. Davis to arrange your child’s back to school visit today!
The Importance of Pediatric Dentistry for Special Needs Children
March 5, 2018
Every child needs routine dental care, but children with special needs have a higher risk of gum disease, oral trauma, and tooth decay. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, special health care needs includes any type of emotional, sensory, physical, behavioral, mental, cognitive, or developmental limiting condition or impairment that requires specialized services, medical management, and/or healthcare intervention. Whether your child has a condition that is developmental, congenital, or a result of a disease, great dental care is crucial to your child’s overall health.
Oral Health Challenges for Children with Special Needs
Many children who have special needs have a lot of sensitivity around their oral cavity. Working with a great pediatric dentist can often help parents get through oral structure changes and feeding problems, preparing parents and children for the developmental changes coming in the future. Other children with special needs often have a tough time opening their mouth completely due to problems with jaw development. This may make it difficult for them to floss and brush regularly, making them more likely to develop gum disease and cavities. Children who deal with sensory challenges are often averse to the sensation and texture of a toothbrush and toothpaste in their mouth. Others have a very limited diet that’s high in sugars, which may result in cavities and other problems with oral development.
Because of these challenges, it’s so important for parents to find a pediatric dentist that is skilled in working with children with special needs. A great pediatric dentist will become a therapeutic partner, so finding a dentist that listens and offers helpful resources is important to the long-term health of children with special needs challenges. Luckily for parents in Palm Harbor, Dr. Maggie Davis is experienced in working with children with special needs and can’t wait to meet your lovely child.
Helping Special Needs Children Acclimate to the Dentist
Any child may have a difficult time acclimating to the dentist at first, and this can be even more of a problem for special needs children. Working with a pediatric dentist enables your family to create a program that caters to your child’s specific emotional, mental, and physical needs to acclimate them to the experience of visiting the dental office.
In many cases, it’s helpful to start out with a special playtime visit for your children so they can come in to the office and get used to the atmosphere. Our office offers a playroom with toys, magazines, and books and is very helpful for children to become comfortable in the office setting. Kids and their families can stay and play and parents are welcome to try these playtime visits multiple times to work on getting kids comfortable.
Next, an actual room visit may be a great step. Kids can start playing and then transition into one of the office rooms. Consider asking Dr. Maggie’s office staff if it is OK to bring a special toy to make this transition a smooth one. You, your child, and your dentist can talk about oral health and how to take care of their teeth.
The next step may be to have your child come in again and experience sitting in one of the dental chairs. Dental assistants can explain different instruments in the room. If children are okay with it, then the visit can go on to have a short exam and a cleaning. However, a great pediatric dentist works to follow the child’s cues. If the appointment becomes more than your child can handle, we can stop and another visit can be scheduled.
Sedation Dentistry is an Option
For children with special needs that have sensory challenges or high anxiety, sedation dentistry, or sleep dentistry, can be an excellent option. It can offer the best experience for you and your child, ensuring that your child receives the dental care needed for optimal well-being and overall health. Talk to your pediatric dentist about sedation dentistry and whether it’s a good fit for your child.
Although visiting the dentist can come with special challenges, routine dental care is so essential for children with special needs. Your child has a higher risk of many oral health problems if he has special needs, and a pediatric dentist can work with you and your child to prevent these problems before they happen. We love seeing all children grow up with healthy smiles if you have questions or concerns about your child’s needs and the dental care they receive, call and talk to Dr. Maggie today!
Sedation Options Unique To Your Child
January 23, 2017
There are several medications offered to help make dental visits more comfortable and relaxing for your little ones. As your pediatric dentist, we aim to make your child’s visits as inviting and easy as possible. Sometimes it can be scary for little ones to go to the dentist, but we provide options for sedation to help make procedures as relaxing, painless, and safe as we can. Here are three sedation options that we may consider for your child:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and administered through a mask over the nose. You may know it as “laughing gas,” but in our office we refer to it as the “mickey mouse nose,” “puppy nose,” or “jet pilot mask.” This sedation agent has a quick onset and rapid recovery and allows your child to remain conscious throughout their procedure. Nitrous Oxide helps to reduce anxiety and reduce pain and discomfort.
Oral Sedation
For children who struggle with traditional dental procedures, oral conscious sedation allows for a more comfortable experience. We consult with your child’s pediatrician to confirm that this is a healthy option for your child and will discuss the procedure with you beforehand. This option is most effective for small children with minimal amounts of dental work.
I.V. Sedation
With the help of Pediatric Dental Anesthesiology Associates, we’re able to provide I.V. sedation for children who are pre-cooperative or developmentally delayed. Under the care of a Board Certified Pediatric Anesthesiologist, we can safely and effectively treat all of your child’s dental needs in one appointment.
Sedation helps to protect your child from the stress and discomfort that may arise during dental procedures. As your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist, we aim to make your child feel as comfortable as possible so that they can enjoy coming to see us! We work to educate our patients and their parents about preventative tactics and dental options that encourage a lifetime of healthy teeth. To schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Maggie, contact our office today!
October Fun with Dr. Maggie’s Office
October 17, 2016
Here at Dr. Maggie Davis Pediatric Dentist, we like to stay involved in our local community and also give our patients the chance to join in on the fun! Check out some of the events we have going on at your Palm Harbor pediatric dentist’s office this month:
Halloween Candy Buyback For the Troops
Halloween is just around the corner, which means your little ones will be stocking up on their favorite candy – and lots of it! This year our office is collecting Halloween candy to donate to our troops! To participate simply drop off your Halloween candy to our office. For every pound of candy that’s donated, you’ll receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win some awesome prizes, such as a bike or Lightning Hockey tickets. Every child who donates will also receive goodie bag filled with healthy snacks and vouchers for goodies around town.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month Mouthguard Sale
In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our office is offering our Breast Cancer Awareness Mouthguards at a reduced price! Normally $277, we’re offering our mouthguards for $150 throughout the month of October. Not only does wearing a mouthguard protect your pearly whites from damage during physical activities, but it can also honor all those who are battling breast cancer.
Fall Festival and Happy Halloween House
We’re proud to be sponsoring this year’s YMCA Fall Festival and Happy Halloween House! We’ll be providing goodie bags for all the kids who attend on Friday, October 28th at the North Pinellas YMCA.
Follow this link to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/179013152545076/.
Inbetween carving pumpkins, decorating the house, and dressing up, it helps to use this candy-filled time of the year to teach your kids about the importance of good oral hygiene. Don’t skip out on the Halloween excitement, simply make sure your little ones give their pearly whites some extra TLC. To schedule an appointment or to learn more about the happenings around our office, give us a call. From everyone here at Dr. Maggie’s office, we wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween!