Dr. Scott C. Peters--Pediatric Dentistry

Kids and Cavities

2011-08-22T18:11:00.000-04:00

I just read an interesting article that was posted on the Boston.com website about cavities and kids. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/articles/2011/08/22/cavities_and_kids/?page=full
I noticed first in the article the quote that "even a pediatrician can screw up". The pediatrician's daughter had numerous cavities when she brought her in for her three year old dental visit. Anyone can get cavities, it's not the domain of just those not in the health profession.
So, What causes a cavity? Cavities are caused by bacteria that feed on sugars and secrete acid onto the teeth causing little holes that can grow. Ok, so let's not feed our children too much sugar. That will eliminate all the cavities, right? Well, not necessarily. Many foods break down into the sugars that the bacteria love. Starches are one of the major culprits. Crackers, breads, "goldfish", all these things can cause cavities. The frequency of snacking is also plays a large part in getting cavities. The more times a tooth is bombarded with acid from the bacteria the greater the chance for a cavity.
Well, ok, let's eliminate the bacteria from our mouth so they can't feed on our left over snacks. That is where brushing comes in. Good oral hygiene includes both brushing and flossing, and maybe a rinse as well. Every parent need to be brushing their child's teeth up until about the age of eight. This is not just watching, or sending them up to brush, but actually physically doing it. I know, I know, it's tough to do it all the time with the older kids. Trust me, I know! The last thing beforebed should be the parents doing the brushing, this is the most important brushing of the day. Fluoride rinses also help remove the bacteria and make the teeth stronger.
That brings us to the subject of fluoride. This mineral helps strengthen teeth when applied topically. A fluoride varnish is placed after a cleaning in our office. This is the best way to apply the protection to the teeth. A rinse, when used at night, can also protect the teeth from decay. Fluoride is also given in our area as a chewable supplement. When taken in this form the fluoride helps strengthen the developing permanent and baby teeth.
Ok, so we cut down on sugary snacks and the frequency of snacks, brush two times a day, use a fluoride rinse. What else? Dental check ups and cleanings every 6 months are a requirement as well.
Even with all our diligence cavities can occur. This may be because of a very deep groove in a tooth that we can't clean with a brush well, or the tooth did not form perfectly, or just bad luck in a certain spot. Remember, "Even a pediatrician can screw up", and let's fill that cavity and do better next time. More on fillings at another time!
All the best,
Dr. Scott C. Peters

Dental Trauma (Broken and Knocked out Teeth)

2011-06-20T09:21:00.000-04:00

Summertime is upon us, finally!

This means it's time for camp, swimming, baseball, the beach, and just fun in general.
Along with all this fun can come some not such fun times when the mouth comes in contact with heads, baseballs, pool sides, etc.
So, what do we need to know about Dental Emergencies:

Knocked out tooth: The first thing to do is make sure you find the tooth! Rinse the tooth off, but do not scrub the root portion. If it is possible, try to reinsert the tooth in the correct position. If you are not comfortable doing this, or cannot, then place the tooth in a cup of milk. The next best place to put the tooth, if no milk is available is between the lip and gum of the person. Doing this will help keep the tooth moist and increase the chances that the tooth can be saved by the dentist. Next, call you dentist immediately!!! The sooner the tooth can be reinserted and stabilized the better the prognosis.
Broken or Chipped Tooth: If possible try to find the fractured pieces. Often times the dentist can bond those back on. Place a cold compress in the area of the trauma, and attempt to stop any bleeding. Contact your dentist ASAP to determine if this needs to be examined right away.

Partially Dislodged or Displased Tooth: Pain relief is usually what is needed for this type of trauma. Cold compresses, tylenol or motrin can do the trick. Anytime a tooth is hit there can be damage to the root, nerve or blood supply to the tooth. It is important to contact the dentist to evluate any trauma, as there may be damage that cannot be seen without use of an x-ray.

As always with any trauma, a parent or adult must access the state of the emergency. If there has been any loss of consciousness, or significant trauma to the face of the child, a physician or 911 should be called. Please don't hesitate to contact us if there are any questions regarding broken, lost or hit teeth. We are always available to discuss and questions.

Scott C. Peters, DMD

When Do I Bring My Child For their First Dental visit?

2011-05-31T17:07:00.000-04:00

When Should a Child visit the Dentist for the 1st time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that a child be seen by a Pediatric Dentist by the age of one, or no later than 6 months after the first tooth arrives.

The most important reason to start a child's dental care this early is prevention. As soon as a tooth erupts into the mouth a cavity can form. Cavities are caused by bacteria secreting acid that erodes the tooth. The bacteria feed on any substance that can break down into sugar. This includes breast milk, and formula!

During the first visit a Pediatric Dentist will discuss medical history, nursing history, as well as the parents dental previous dental history. The bacteria that causes tooth decay is transferred from the parents to the child, and a parent with poor oral health will transfer significantly more bacteria to their child dooming their child to more cavities.

The child will then be examined, usually in a knee-to-knee position on the dentists and parents lap. It is quite alright and expected that the child cry and make noise--we can see so much better when they are open wide ;-). during the exam the Pediatric Dentist will check for any abnormalities in growth and developement as well as help the parent understand what is going on in there. Brushing and cleaning the baby's mouth will also be discussed. Brushing should begin with the first tooth. Pacifier habits, thumb sucking, bottle feeding and nursing will also be discussed, and any questions that the parents may have are answered after the exam.

The earlier the first dental visit, the better chance there is to prevent dental problems. As always if you have any questions or comments please let me know.

Scott C. Peters, DMD

Under Armour Performance Mouthwear!!

2009-09-03T15:45:00.010-04:00

We all know that wearing a mouthguard during contact sports is necessary. No one in their right mind would participate in Boxing, Football or Rugby without one. But how about golf, or weight-lifting, or triathalons?

Under Armour, known for performance apparel, footwear and accessories, has introduced a performance mouthguard for all athletes. UA Performance Mouthwear Powered by ArmourBite Technology can increase strength, and endurance, speed up reaction time and decrease athletic stress.

UA Performance Mouthwear helps the human body help itself by unlocking the power of the jaw. Patented ArmourBite Technology prevents your teeth from clenching and pivots your jaw forward to relieve pressure on the TMJ. Gone are the excess negative hormones and the energy-draining effects, so the body can now unleash its full potential.

Independent studies conducted at some of the nation’s top universities and research centers have proven the undeniable advantages of UA Performance Mouthwear.

If you are interested in increasing you athletic performance please give our office a call and we can discuss what type of mouthwear is perfect for your sport.
Scott C. Peters, DMD, LLC, (201)529-9000

FDA concludes mercury in dental fillings not risky

2009-08-01T13:55:00.005-04:00

FDA concludes mercury in dental fillings not risky

OK, so this conclusion from the FDA came down last Tuesday. However, most Dentists have known this for a long time already. The FDA is "urging" dentists to provide their patients with a government-written statement detailing the mercury controversy and what science shows. Which is that no harm comes from the amalgam fillings that are placed.

In my office we do not place amalgam "silver" fillings. I do this not because of any concern over the toxicity of the filling material, but because of the usefulness, and ease of placing composite "white" fillings. They look nicer too. There is also less tooth structure removed when a tooth is prepared for a composite filling.

What I do want to note is that the FDA also states that is an amalgam filling is in good condition, and there is no new decay on the tooth, there is NO reason to remove the silver filling! This is important because there was a movement in the not so distant past that wanted to remove every silver filling, stating that by doing so they could cure all types of medical maladies, from MS to Autism to Fibromyalgia. The People who pushed this hogwash are frauds and were making big bucks from innocent people's irrational fears and lack of knowledge.

That being said, I welcome any questions on the subject.

Scott C. Peters, DMD

Prenatal, Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Guidelines

2009-06-04T19:31:00.000-04:00

At the most recent American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Meeting in Hawaii (wish I were there :-0) new guidelines were introduced for prenatal, perinatal and infant oral health.

It has been reported that pregnant women with periodontal disease may be up to seven times more likely to give birth to premature and underweight babies. One study shows that periodontal infection may be responsible for as much as 18% of the 250,000 premature babies born weighing less than 5.5 pounds annually in the U.S., according to the AAPD.

Premature births have become the number one obstetric problem in the United States, therefore the need to provide more guidance about necessary oral care for expectant moms, in addition to promoting oral health is a key part of pregnant women's overall health.

Additionally, mothers with poor oral health are at greater risk of infecting their children with the bacteria that causes cavities, increasing their children's caries risk at an early age.

Overview of the new AAPD guidelines

Oral health education: Early intervention and counseling during the perinatal period from all healthcare providers, including physicians, dentists, and nurses.
Oral hygiene: Tooth brushing and flossing on a daily basis are important for the parent to reduce bacterial plaque, which research has linked to preterm, low-birth-weight babies.
Diet: Dietary education for the parents, including the potential effect of consumed foods and beverages on their oral health, helps maintain good dental care.
Fluoride: Using a fluoridated toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association and rinsing every night with an alcohol-free, over-the-counter mouth rinse containing 0.05% sodium fluoride have been suggested to help reduce plaque levels.
Caries removal: Routine professional dental care for the parents can help keep their oral health in optimal condition.
Delay of colonization: Education of the parents, especially mothers, on sharing utensils, food, and cups can help prevent the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria.
Xylitol gum: Recent evidence suggests the use of xylitol chewing gum (four pieces per day by the mother) has a significant impact on decreasing a child's caries rate.

All health care professionals should advise women that the following actions may reduce the risk of caries in children:

--Wipe an infant’s teeth after feeding, especially along the gum line, with a soft cloth or soft bristled toothbrush.
--Supervise children’s brushing and use a small (size of child’s pinky nail) amount of toothpaste.
--Avoid putting the child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing anything other than water.
--Limit foods containing sugar to mealtimes only.
--Avoid saliva-sharing behaviors, such as sharing a spoon when tasting baby food, cleaning a dropped pacifier by mouth or wiping the baby’s mouth with saliva.
--Avoid saliva-sharing behaviors between children via their toys, pacifiers, etc.
--Visit an oral health professional with child between six and 12 months of age.

Laser Dentistry

2009-05-14T18:54:00.000-04:00

Lasers are commonplace today, they are used now in everything from your CD player to high tech machines. Did you know that they are also very useful in dentistry?

Doctors have used lasers for years to Provide better care for their patients – in LASIK vision correction, for removing skin blemishes, and in all kinds of surgery.

The laser creates special, highly concentrated light energy, and sends it through an optical fiber to its handpiece. The dentist uses the handpiece to aim the laser energy precisely at the areas to be treated. Some laser systems combine the laser energy with a gentle spray of water.

The Benefits of Laser Dentistry

More Comfortable

Waterlase Dentistry uses laser energy and a gentle spray of water to perform a wide range of dental procedures – without the heat, vibration and pressure associated with the dental drill. With many procedures, it’s possible to use less anesthetic, and often no anesthetic at all.

More Convenient

The Dentist can often get you and you child in and out of the dentist chair faster, since it’s less likely that they will need an injection – research shows that the vast majority of patients don’t. It’s nice to avoid that shot, isn’t it? Not using anesthetic can allow your dentist to perform procedures that used to require more than one visit in a single appointment. Also, a Waterlase Dentist can perform procedures that once meant an additional trip to a specialist, saving you even more time.

More Precise

The Dentist can remove decay far more precisely than a dentist using a drill. This saves more of the healthy parts of your tooth. Saving your natural teeth can save you from the discomfort and cost of future tooth breakdown.

The Laser is really a great thing for the Pediatric Dentist. I can do fillings without getting the kids numb (No Needle) and can take away much less tooth structure than with traditional methods.

Stem Cells in Baby Teeth!!

2009-05-04T09:40:00.011-04:00

We recently started to offer two services for the collection of stem cells from extracted baby teeth. The services, StemSave and Store-a-tooth, both offer the opportunity to bank your child's stem cells for later use. Many people, my family included, have had their children's cord blood saved at birth and stored in a similar manner.

We help evaluate the child to ensure that a healthy, loose tooth is taken out while there is still active blood supply to the tooth. I can put up to four teeth in a vial that contains nutrients to keep the stem cells alive, and puts the teeth into a state of hypothermia. The vial is shipped overnight to one of the companies for preservation until you need it. All you have to do is set up the account, which can be done completely online.

Stem Cells can be an invaluable tool for future health.
The human tooth contains healthy pulp tissue which contains stem cells that can be utilized to regenerate your child’s health in the future if needed. Stem cells extracted from the healthy tissue within your child’s tooth can help fix medical ailments, grow new organs, repair bone, and much more.

What exactly are stem cells?
They are the carriers for repaired DNA and are capable of replicating themselves. The stem cells from teeth have been observed in research studies to be among the most powerful stem cells in the human body. Stem cells from teeth replicate at a faster rate and for a longer period of time than do stem cells harvested from other tissues of the body.

If at some point in the future your child would need an organ transplant, bone marrow, skin, etc., their body will not run the risk of rejecting those from a donor because their own stem cells would be utilized. Currently, the Army is utilizing this method to help wounded soldiers heal from their injuries.

If you, or anyone you know is interested, please e-mail me for more information.

Scott C. Peters, D.M.D.

First Post

2009-05-04T09:18:00.003-04:00

OK, So Here We Go.

I will post some interesting thoughts on Dentistry and Pediatric Dentistry in particular. These may include new products, techniques or just thoughts.

I hope all who read it will enjoy and gain some knowledge.

--Scott