Knowledge Center

By Vishant Nath DMD The dental office can be an intimidating environment. This is true even for adults, who have some experience and rational for knowing the importance of going for regular dental visits. So you can imagine the anxiety it can cause in some children. Fortunately pediatric dental offices offer many options for calming anxious children. Pediatric dentists have specialized training during their two-year residency, which includes various tactics for creating a calm, happy dental visit for children. Most pediatric dental offices offer enjoyable distractions for children, including television, video games, and child-friendly décor. Pediatric dentists will have child-friendly…

By Vishant Nath DMD Fluoride levels in drinking water have been in the news lately. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed lowering the recommended level of fluoride in drinking water. This article will provide some perspective on this topic. First and foremost it’s important to appreciate the importance of fluoride, especially for children. Fluoride inhibits the loss of minerals from tooth enamel and strengthens areas of the teeth that are weakened and are in danger of developing cavities. It also works to prevent bacteria from breaking down the teeth and causing cavities. Too much unmonitored ingested…

By Vishant Nath DMD As parents we are on constant alert when it comes to our child’s overall development. We may consciously or subconsciously compare our child to other children who are the same age. This occurs even when considering our child’s dental development. This article addresses several relatively common observations that parents have regarding their child’s overall dental development. My child’s permanent teeth are coming in before the primary teeth have fallen out. This situation is actually quite common, occurring in ~10% of children. One day a parent will look into their child’s mouth and see another row of…

By Vishant Nath DMD           It’s certainly an unpleasant feeling to find out that your child needs dental treatment.  As parents, we all hope for the dentist to declare our children to be cavity-free and compliment their oral health at each six-month check-up.  Unfortunately, this does not always happen.  The following article provides information about the importance of completing your child’s dental treatment in a timely manner.   If the dentist finds that your child needs dental treatment, make sure that you understand exactly what treatment is required and why.  Ask as many questions of your dentist as you need…

By Vishant Nath DMD Body piercing is often used as a way of self-expression, especially during adolescence. All types of piercings can have an effect on overall health. Oral piercings, in particular can be especially dangerous. Regardless of how you feel about the societal significance of oral piercings, there are real health risks associated with them that should be considered. This article will discuss these risks. Oral piercings most often involve the tongue (most common), lips and cheeks. There are two distinct aspects to the dangers involved. The first is when the piercing is initially performed. Oftentimes, these piercings are…

By Vishant Nath DMD For most people, our teeth are strongest and healthiest when they first erupt from the gums. This is true for both primary and permanent teeth. Once the health of a tooth is compromised, it’s difficult to return it to that strong, healthy, original state. This article will provide information on the importance of using good hygiene to maintain healthy teeth, and how to best care for teeth which have been restored. The most ideal situation of course is to keep teeth healthy and not have to drill, fill or otherwise bother the tooth structure. Once a…

By Vishant Nath DMD Having children means having to deal with falls and other types of accidents. Hopefully most injuries can be managed with a simple first aid kit. But for some accidents, further follow up is needed. This article will provide information on dealing with accidents affecting the mouth. This is probably a good time to address the importance of establishing a “dental home” for your child. This means that your child has an ongoing relationship with his or her dentist (the Primary Dental Care Provider), which includes comprehensive oral health care, beginning no later than age one. Even…

By Vishant Nath DMD This article will explain your relationship with your dental insurance company and your responsibility in keeping the relationship running smoothly. The most important thing to remember when it comes to insurance is that you must remain an active participant in the relationship with your insurance company. Even though you may choose a dentist that accepts your insurance plan, you are still responsible for maintaining your relationship with your insurance company. When you enroll with a dental insurance company, you are establishing a direct relationship with that insurance company. This relationship does not involve, or include the…

…is worth a pound of cure. This saying has untold value when put in the perspective of pediatric dentistry. Preventive dentistry is invaluable when put into practice at a very early age for children. It truly does set the stage for a lifelong pattern of good oral health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recently released results of a survey of mothers of very young children. The findings show that there is a great opportunity to educate many parents regarding the importance of implementing preventive dentistry in children. The AAPD recommends that all children make a visit to a…

By Vishant Nath DMD, Pediatric Dentist The last thing that a parent wants to hear at the dentist is that their child has one or more cavities. Parents want the best for their children, and no one wants to see their child have to undergo dental treatment. The good news is that tooth decay is largely preventable. This article will provide some information on how to go about keeping your child’s teeth healthy. There are some obvious ways to prevent tooth decay. Certainly maintaining effective, consistent daily hygiene is a great place to start. This includes brushing your child’s teeth…