Dental Health FAQ

Many people are surprised to hear the answer to this question is a resounding YES! Not only will seeing us early on help “normalize” a visit to the dentist, but we can also check the general health of your baby’s gums, jaw, and any teeth that have emerged and talk to you about any concerns you may have.

We’ll let you know after the first visit how often you should bring your child back. Remember, every visit helps your baby become more at ease and comfortable with seeing us and allows us to keep an eye out for any developmental problems.

Baby not quite a year but wondering how to keep their mouth and any future teeth healthy? Here are some handy tips:

• Before teeth come in, clean gums with a clean, damp cloth daily and preferably after every meal.
• Start brushing with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a very small amount of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) when your child’s first tooth appears. Use a pea-sized dab of fluoridated toothpaste after 3 years of age or when the child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing.
• “Baby bottle mouth” occurs when liquids lie on the gums while your baby sleeps and can lead to problems including painful cavities on teeth that eventually come in. Don’t give children a bottle of milk, juice, or sweetened liquid at bedtime or when put down to nap.
• Limit the time your child has a bottle. Your child should empty a bottle in 5 to 6 minutes or less.
• Help your child brush his or her own teeth until age 7 or 8. Have the child watch you brush, and follow the same brushing pattern to reduce missed spots.
• Monitor and limit foods and treats that increase tooth decay. Some of the common culprits are hard or sticky candies, fruit chews, and sweetened drinks and juice. Real fruit is a healthier choice than juice.

Yes! Flossing is an essential part of your oral health care routine.

The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least once a day to achieve optimal oral health.

Flossing is much more than removing any food particles that may be stuck between your teeth. Plaque can form between your teeth where the toothbrush doesn’t reach. Plaque that is not removed can harden into calculus or tartar. Tartar buildup not only has to be scraped off to be removed, but it can also lead to gingivitis which are red, swollen gums that are the first stage of gum disease. Bacteria-laden tartar and plaque can spread even deeper below the gum line, causing periodontitis – severe gum disease characterized by severe inflammation and eventual tooth and bone loss.

Flossing and brushing are a cheap, effective way to help prevent a host of dental problems that can be dangerous to your overall health. So brush 2-3x per day and floss at least once a day!

Please call to see us if you have any issues with sore or swollen gums, dark or dusky red gums, bad breath, or receding gums as early intervention is key in resolving these conditions.

For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums or in milk and try to reach us right away. If we can’t see you, we’ll direct you to the closest emergency room.

If it’s a child who has lost the tooth, confirm whether it is an adult tooth. Baby teeth are not re-implanted.If you can locate the tooth, carefully pick it up without touching the root. The root contains important fibers, called periodontal ligaments that are necessary for proper healing. Hold the tooth by the chewing surface area.

If the tooth is visibly soiled, rinse briefly with milk or tap water. Do not scrub.

Immediately put the tooth back in the socket, if possible.

If putting the tooth back in the socket is not possible, go immediately to a dentist or the nearest emergency department and be sure to take the tooth with you. While en route to medical care, put the tooth back in the mouth next to the cheek or in a small container of milk — not tap water — so that the root stays moist.

Why You Need to Act Quickly

The quicker you can be seen either by us or by an emergency room, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

If the tooth is replaced into the socket within five minutes of being knocked out, it is likely the tooth can survive and there is a good chance of saving it if you are seen in shorter than one hour after having it knocked out, as the tooth has been stored properly.

At the dentist’s office or the emergency department, the tooth likely will be re-implanted and splinted to the adjacent teeth for two to eight weeks, Dr. Coy says. During that time, a root canal will be necessary for the long-term survival of the tooth.

Athletes have a higher risk of having teeth knocked out so please see us about an inexpensive, personalized mouthguard that offers protection and prevention to mouth injuries for less than the price of an emergency dental visit.

Your child may be eligible for dental coverage at no cost to you. Information on how to apply in the link found below or you can the Michigan Health Care Helpline at 1-855-789-5610.

This office accepts MI Child Insurance which covers dental care for minors and can help teeth for a lifetime.

If you have children above 18 and/or are in need of dental insurance, please ask about our In House program and the benefits you and your family can enjoy for one low yearly price. View our brochure to learn more.