When will my child get his/her first tooth?

For first-time parents wondering when their child will get his or her first teeth, expect teeth to first show when your child is between 4 and 7 months old. Sometimes, children – who the dental community refers to as “early developers”— have teeth develop as early as 3 months, and, more rarely, a tooth or two is visible at birth.

Your child actually begins to develop teeth when they are in the womb, where tooth buds start showing in the gums. Generally speaking, though, your child’s teeth will grow in this order: the bottom two middle teeth are first to appear, followed by the top middle teeth. After that, the teeth that make up the sides and back of your child’s mouth will start to come in.

Typically, the teeth do not come in straight, but straighten out over time as the mouth starts to fill out. The molars situated at the rear of your child’s mouth will be the last to appear. By the time your child turns three, he or she should have 20 teeth, all of which should remain in place until their permanent teeth begin coming in. 

Teething Symptoms

Currently, there is a debate among physicians and dentists as to whether or not teething causes various symptoms, or whether these symptoms develop coincidentally when a child’s teeth are growing in. In any event, your teething child might drool more frequently while teeth are appearing, which sometimes causes a facial rash.

Other teething symptoms include gum swelling and general gum sensitivity and increased irritability. Your child may also exhibit biting behavior, and they might have problems sleeping. Babies also commonly refuse food when a tooth is freshly ruptured through the gum tissue.

Some experts believe that teething leads to increased diarrhea and diaper rash. The theory is that the teething creates excessive salvia, some of which will end up in your child’s gut, loosening the stool, and resulting in diarrhea.

What is universally agreed upon by both physicians and dentists, however, is that if your child is teething and has a rectal temperature that exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenheit (or 100 degrees Fahrenheit if your child is younger than 3 months), or is experiencing any other symptoms that worry you, seek immediate medical attention.

How to Ease Your Child’s Teething Discomfort

If your child is suffering pain while teething, give them something to chew on. A cold washcloth, rubber gnaw, or massaging rattler are all excellent options. If your child has already advanced to eating solids, giving them something cold – like diced fruit or yogurt -- will ease the pain,. Rubbing a clean finger on your child’s tender gums will work if the aforementioned methods do not diminish your child’s discomfort.

If the teething discomfort persists, consider giving your child a dose of children’s pain reliever. Make sure to consult with a physician before administering the medication. For babies with a rash on their chin, rubbing away the drool with a soft cloth and then rubbing the affected areas with a thick layer of petroleum jelly typically reduces redness and sores.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Top 5 Services a Cosmetic Dentist Can Do For You

Your teeth do a lot for how уου look to others. A nice set of truly white teeth саn instantly enhance уουr appearance and confidence, while a set of less than perfect and less than white teeth саn hаνе the contrary effect. Since a lot of score is put on beauty and the way people look, many people are visiting a dentist to hаνе countless procedures like dental implants or porcelain veneers performed.
 

Below are the top five services your dentist саn do for уου:

Teeth Whitening

The enamel – or the outer mοѕt layer of уουr teeth – іѕ οftеn tarnished due to a number reasons such аѕ aging, stains from food or drink, or οthеr chemical degradation.

A dentist саn whiten уουr teeth for уου by removing the brown or yellow staining that has occurred. Thеrе are, in fact, numerous uncommon procedures by whісh уου саn get уουr teeth whitened: chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, harsh teeth whitening and laser teeth whitening.

Thеѕе gentle dental procedures саn range from јυѕt a few hundred to numerous thousands of dollars and mау demand јυѕt one or many visits to a local dentist to hаνе the treatment concluded.

Gum Surgery

Yουr gums are the frame on whісh all of уουr teeth are placed. Often, due to lack of proper care and hygiene, the gum might be infected or the actual gum tissue in between the teeth might become weak. Moreover, уου might even hаνе a ‘gummy' smile – one that exposes a lot of gum in comparison to the teeth. Gum surgery саn fix thіѕ problem along with any οthеr issue that might arise due to уουr gums.

Dental Implants

A dental implant іѕ a rod of titanium, whісh іѕ affixed surgically to уουr jaw, such that іt becomes an anchor for a natural looking false tooth or a set of false teeth. The titanium fittings that are used in the implants are inserted into the jaws and are very successful in fusing with the bone (osseointegration). Thеrе are again three uncommon types of dental implants (уουr dentist will talk аbουt thеѕе with уου in great detail) – root form implants, plate form implants, and subperiosteal implants.

Typically, if уου are missing a tooth and hаνе enough bone left in that рlасе to hold the rod, and then уου саn go for a dental implant.

Contouring and Reshaping

Dental contouring and tooth reshaping are again two well lονеd procedures that go hand-in-hand. Thеѕе procedures саn correct ѕοmе of the mοѕt common complaints that people hаνе with thеіr teeth, such аѕ broken teeth, a chipped tooth, cracked teeth, and overlapping teeth.

Tooth Bonding

Thіѕ іѕ a procedure in whісh a composite resin filling іѕ placed in уουr teeth, used typically in the refurbishment of decomposing teeth, making improvements and improving the color of уουr teeth аѕ well. The entire treatment саn be used to improve stains, and fill up gaps between the teeth.

Уουr dentist саn do all thіѕ and more. No longer do folks hаνе to simply deal with the teeth and gums thеу hаνе been given. A dentist can now do a lot more than ease tooth ache and tooth pain, or perform dentistry such as root canals or crowns. By being able to find a dentist, thеу саn correct nearly anything concerning thеіr mouth to get the perfect smile thеу hаνе always wanted.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

What's the advantage to Invisalign?

Invisalign, which we happily provide at A Family Dental Care Center, is a great alternative to traditional orthodontic treatment if you’ve been apprehensive about the thought of metal braces. During your initial visit, the first thing we do is take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we look at the current positioning of your teeth and compare it to the way your teeth should look.

Invisalign treatment, which consists of a series of aligners that you switch out approximately every couple of weeks, can help patients with crowded teeth, crossbites, overbites, underbites and more. Invisalign gradually shifts your teeth into place, creating the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted. During treatment, patients wear the aligners all day and night, except for during meals and when they’re brushing and flossing; cleaning your teeth and eating are a snap since you can easily remove your aligners! And because they’re clear, no one will know that your teeth are steadily straightening!

Tea: A Healthier Drink for Teeth and Gums

What is a person to drink if they want to protect their teeth and gums, but don’t want to settle on just water? Sugary sodas can give you cavities and damage the enamel on the teeth. Coffee can leave stains that are difficult to scrub clean with just a toothbrush. New research from July/August issue of General Dentistry suggests that the solution may be tea, with green tea being a top choice.

Why Tea?

Anti-oxidants in tea have long made it a favorite healthy substitute for the coffee habit. They are known to reduce free radicals and which can produce symptoms of disease and aging. However, new research shows that tea has the same effect on tooth enamel as water, but it’s ultimately tastier to drink. It also contains nutritional components not available in water. Not only will you fill your body with needed anti-oxidants, but you also won’t be creating any new cavities, as long as you don’t load your cup up with sugar. Catechin is one of those anti-oxidant compounds that are also shown to promote better tooth and gum health too. Catechins are within both black and green teas.

Green Tea is the Best Choice

Although any tea will have natural anti-oxidants, green tea appears to be the best choice if you want to preserve your dental health. It won’t discolor your teeth and the study showed that it also helped men with gum disease to reduce bleeding and gum recession with a minimum of only one cup of green tea per day. Green tea can come in a variety of flavors and gives a nice energy boost when you first wake up.

Make Sure it’s Unsweetened

If you can’t stomach green tea, the next best choice is black tea. Black tea can come in more flavors than green tea and many find it more palatable. Herbal teas were not included in the study results. Despite your choice of beverage, one thing is certain: If you sweeten your drink, you increase the chances of irritating your gums and damaging your tooth enamel. Sugar is acidic in nature and will attack your teeth and gums, even when it’s put in a cup of green tea. To get the most health benefits from your morning cup of tea, focus on increasing the tea content and reducing the sugars. If you can drink your tea without any sweeteners whatsoever, you’ll be doing the best you can to protect your teeth and gums from future damage.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Whiter teeth may lead to better job success

Your performance at work speaks a lot for what you mean to a company and what you can bring to the table. However, no matter how much hard work you put in or how many hours you slave away at the office, there are some physical benefits that naturally may just lead to better job success. One of those physical attributes includes having white teeth and a smile that lights up an entire room. And while you may not immediately be promoted to the CEO of your company, you may be surprised to see the way people treat you when you have a beautiful smile. Here are some things to consider when it comes to having a great looking smile and why whiter teeth may lead to better job success.

Self Confidence
If you are hiding behind a smile that is stained due to coffee, nicotine or just natural causes, this can be damaging on how you feel about yourself. Rather than approaching that group of coworkers at the water cooler, you may instead just sit at your office and keep plugging away at your computer because you are embarrassed to speak or open your mouth and reveal your discolored teeth. However, having a bright smile will give you the self confidence that you need to approach people without the fear of always wondering if they are staring at your teeth. This self confidence is certainly justified, as you may notice that people are more likely to keep conversations going if they feel comfortable talking with you. That same confidence will pour over to conferences, social outings, the gym and other places where you may meet your coworkers, opening up the potential for advancement in your profession.

Future Opportunities
In the world of business, it is a cut throat place to be. If you have yet to experience that, then it’s likely you haven’t worked in a job where there is little room for mistakes. With that in mind, it only makes sense that you want your boss to remember you and know that he or she can rely on you in tight situations. In some situations, this is likely to be around clients and potential customers that are interested in working with your company. Even if it seems unfair, the fact of the matter is that employers will be more likely to select physical attractive people to deal with customers, simply because it presents the business in a better way. Having a white smile is truly a great way to stand out in your employers eyes so that you are the first person on their mind when it comes to dealing with clients. This can then be followed by proving yourself even more, which has greater potential for even further growth in your company.

If you are unhappy with your smile, maybe you may have never noticed the importance that a beautiful smile can make. However, those who have beautiful looking teeth may be able to tell you about the advantages that come with pearly whites. If you feel stuck at your current workplace, or even just a little undervalued, consider getting a teeth whitening service to see if that changes things. You may be surprised to see how much it affects your life inside and outside of your professional life.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 West Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Different Types of Crowns

When your teeth get damaged, one of the most common ways to fix things up is by getting a dental crown. What is a crown? It is a type of tooth repair method that involves covering a damaged tooth with one or more materials to preserve its shape and structure. Crowns are made after getting a mold of the tooth in question, and they are most typically used for serious cavities. The most common types of crowns include all-metal, all-ceramic, and a combination of metal and ceramic. If you are confused about what type of crown to get, here are some pros and cons of each.

*All-Metal

All-metal dental crowns have been used for many, many years. The most popular metal used to craft these crowns is gold. In most cases, gold crowns are not made entirely of gold because it is a very soft metal that easily deforms. Gold crowns are usually made with a gold alloy, or a mixture of gold and other harder metals, so they are more durable and able to keep their shape. They can come in a gold or silver hue.

Pros of All-Metal Crowns

- Gold is malleable

Crowns made with an alloy containing a high concentration of gold can be easily molded into the shape of the damaged tooth. This allows for a very nice fitting crown that feels natural in the mouth and to the bite.

- Metal crowns are strong

Since gold and most metals are harder than human teeth, metal crowns won’t crack, morph, or chip. Even excessive grinding and chewing on tougher foods won’t damage them. If you are worried about metal crowns wearing out your natural teeth, don’t be. They degrade at a very similar rate to enamel, so you can expect your metal crowns to last a very long time.

Cons of All-Metal Crowns

- Metal crowns do not look natural. They will stand out every time you open your mouth. If you are worried about them not blending in with your teeth, there are other types of crowns to choose from.

*All-Ceramic Crowns

This type of crown is the better choice as far as aesthetics are concerned. Ceramic crowns are usually made completely of porcelain, and they blend in perfectly with your natural teeth. Today, they can be made out of a variety of different specially-engineered dental ceramics. Like gold crowns, porcelain crowns have been in use for hundreds of years.

Pros of All-Ceramic Crowns

- They look natural

Ceramic crowns are nearly indistinguishable from regular teeth. Unless you really get in a person’s face, you likely won’t notice anything out of the ordinary. This camouflage is a huge benefit in a professional setting since looks and first impressions are a big deal. Many recipients of crowns also prefer the natural look because they feel self-conscious about how they appear to other people. It’s no different than feeling ashamed about wearing braces.

Cons of All-Ceramic Crowns

- They are less durable than metal crowns

Ceramics are more prone to cracking than metal crowns, but they are very suitable for front teeth. The teeth in the back of the mouth undergo more extensive chewing and biting so they should be installed with metal or metal-ceramic crowns.

*Metal-Ceramic Crowns

These crowns are made of a metal core and a ceramic outer covering.

Pros of Metal-Ceramic Crowns

-They offer the benefit of both metal and ceramic crowns

The metal core provides great strength, while the ceramic covering masks the metallic color of the core. It’s the best of both worlds.

Cons of Metal-Ceramic Crowns

-The metal can show over time

When gum lines recede, the metal underneath can poke out. This ruins the whole point of the combination.

-The ceramic covering can become damaged and damage other teeth

It may chip over time or separate from the metal core with prolonged stress. Ceramics also seem to cause more wear on teeth than metal.

Do you want to learn about Zirconium Crowns to discover if they are the right choice for you?

Zirconium crowns and bridges are so strong they can be used anywhere in the mouth. Zirconium crowns can withstand the biting pressure of the front teeth as well as back teeth grinding.

The look of zirconium crowns and bridges is so close to natural teeth that it is hard to tell the difference and it is this quality which makes it very useable within dental work. Zirconium crowns can be fixed using traditional dental cements.

They have quickly become the preferred material for dental crowns. Zirconium is a very strong substance that can endure wear and tear of everyday use. When looking at Zirconium crowns from an aesthetic point it is clear and very similar to a natural tooth and reflects light the same way. This may be important if your new crowns are on the front of your mouth and it is particularly relevant in cases where the crown will be seen next to the natural teeth.

Porcelain is the conventional material used for the new crowns however, full porcelain can chip or break. This is overcome by making the crowns from the metal, in this case metal zirconia, then merge the porcelain on the outside. Zirconia metal gives the strength while the porcelain gives the appearance of a normal tooth. Zirconium crowns allow light to pass as a normal tooth would and that gives a natural look, unlike other metal cores that block the light.

Pros with Zirconium Crowns

Zirconium crowns won’t corrode and the normal black gum line that you can see around a porcelain fused metal crown, won’t happen because of the strong ceramic material used. Also the normal too hot/cold sensations you can feel with other crowns does not normally occur because of the lack of electrical conductivity.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 Wests Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403

Dental Implants May be Right for You

Today, more people are interested in getting dental implants. The procedure of having dental implants has become an important and essential part of dental health and the dental industry. A dental implant is a tooth root replacement which goes in the place of a person’s mouth where the natural teeth are missing. These implants replace the natural tooth roots. There are many benefits associated with having implants which make them a more popular option for people needing a tooth or teeth replacement.

First, having dental implants improves a person’s quality of life. Dental implants function, feel and look like natural teeth. This means improved eating, speaking and smiling. People with dental implants feel more confident and their self-esteem improves. It is a lot easier to take care of an implant supported crown because it can be cleaned just like a natural tooth. Additionally, you won’t need any messy adhesives for dentures since the implant supported tooth is secured to the implant.

Next, having dental implants preserves facial structure. Implants prevent the bones in the mouth from deteriorating which keeps the facial structure intact. The dental implants keep the bony part of the face from collapsing because the bones are preserved.

Having dental implants will also preserve the adjacent teeth in the mouth from being compromised. When you put dental implants where missing teeth are and support them with bridges and crowns, the natural teeth next to the implant are safe from damage. With other ways of tooth replacement, the adjacent teeth might be compromised, and they can become loose because of an increase in pressure.

Dental implants give a person a natural appearance because the teeth are restored to appear as close as possible to a natural tooth. Your mouth will feel and look natural and not artificial. Additionally, you feel more secure when eating, laughing or sneezing. You never have to worry about dental implants falling out because the bone bonds right to the implant. As well, if there is a collapse of the facial structure, you will form wrinkles. When you have implants, you never have to worry about this occurring.

Dental implants improve a person’s health. Those with implants can eat a variety of foods so they get the appropriate nutrition needed. With dentures, you can become compromised when eating certain foods such as corn or apples. With dental implants, you won’t have this problem.

The best candidates for dental implants are people in good general and oral health. The patients need sufficient bone structure in the jaw for supporting the dental implant. Gum tissues should be healthy. Today, dental implants are an excellent choice for treatment being used by dentists all over the world.

A Family Dental Care Center

2030 W. Main St.

Jeffersonville, PA 19403