It’s normal to be anxious before an appointment. Dental anxiety can occur in children just as much as adults, as a fear of separation from their parents can factor into things as well as the fear of procedures themselves. Children can also be confused about the physical contact required when it comes to treatments and can be frightened if they’re not sure what’s happening during their appointment.

At our practice, we always aim to make children as comfortable as possible both before and during their appointments. We’ll try and make things easy to understand, and always explain what we’ll be doing to help them.

How you can ease dental anxiety in children

When you visit our dental office, we can discuss ways that you and your child can prevent or lessen their anxiety while receiving dental care with us. For some children, this can be with a glass of their favorite drink, for others, breathing exercises can work. It’s important to work through dental anxiety with your child, as it can help them to adjust as they grow.

How to prepare your child for their appointment

One way to ease your child’s dental anxiety is to visit our Orange County, CA dental office and meet with Dr Azad without having actual dental work performed. Taking the time to tour our office, where they can sit in the dentist chair and have a conversation, will allow them to become familiar with our staff and office environment.

During their consultation, we can also discuss what your child can expect from a teeth cleaning or a specific procedure. This will help them to prepare mentally for how long it will take, what dental tools will be used, what they could feel during the process and what the recovery period will be.

Although an emergency room can help to stop any bleeding caused by an accident around the mouth area, they will not provide any dental care. This can only be done by a dental practice that offers emergency care. At our practice, Dr Azad and her skilled team can evaluate your child’s needs and offer the appropriate care and treatment for a dental emergency.

What is considered a dental emergency?

There are a number of things that can be classed as a dental emergency. Below are some of the main issues that can be a cause for concern. If you don’t see your child’s ailment on this list, or if you’re not sure if you have a dental emergency, call our team on (949) 458-0393 and our skilled team will be able to advise you further.

Bleeding from the mouth. This is an emergency if you cannot control the bleeding.

Impacted tooth. If your child has fallen over and knocked out one of their teeth, it could potentially be saved if you act quickly.

Tooth infection. An infection in a tooth, also known as an abscess, is a serious infection that can become life threatening if left untreated. Sometimes, an abscess can feel like swelling in the mouth, or your child may feel lumps around their jaw.

If your child experiences any of the above or has an accident and requires dental help, call our office and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Did you know that oral hygiene care for children differs from adult care? For example, hard toothbrushes that we use can actually cause damage to children’s teeth, which is why it’s important to use a soft bristle brush for young kids.

When it comes to brushing itself, make sure your child is brushing their teeth in a circular pattern, starting at the gum line and working their way towards the centre of the mouth.

While brushing, your child should apply even pressure throughout their mouth in order to avoid hurting themselves. Below are some of our top tips for creating an oral hygiene routine for your kids.

Flossing for kids

Just as it is for adults, flossing is important for growing children too. It can remove food particles that lead to the build-up of plaque and can help remove harmful bacteria from the gums. This is also great for helping to prevent pulp infections, and can create a healthy oral hygiene routine that will last until adulthood.

Preventing tooth decay

Tooth decay occurs when plaque begins to eat away at our enamel. When we have healthy teeth cleaning practices, it can help to prevent plaque. A healthy diet is also key to preventing tooth decay, as excess processed sugars can progress plaque buildup too. Brushing regularly and creating a brushing routine for your kids can help to prevent tooth decay, so be sure to help them brush day and night for targeted preventative care.

Opt for a softer brush

As mentioned above, using a softer brush for your kids is better for their oral health. You can find many toothbrushes targeted towards children, so be sure to buy the right brush for their age. 

We put preventative dental care at the top of our priority list. Tooth decay is extremely common in children, which is why we want to provide your child with healthy oral hygiene routines and care that will last a lifetime.

We work with you and your child in order to create a dental plan that’s affordable. So if you live in the 92630 area, call 949-458-0393 today and start your child’s preventative dental care regiment. We offer routine checkups, emergency care and create dental plans all with the intention of keeping your child’s dental hygiene in tip top shape.

There are many reasons as to why you should see a pediatric dentist rather than a general dentist for your child. A pediatric dentist can safely provide an accurate and harmless examination of an infant’s first tooth. Not only this, but they’ve studied for years in the field compared to a general dentist who may not have as much knowledge of pediatric dental care.

Pediatric dentists use specifically-designed tools for children’s dental care, and are equipped to understand their patients’ needs. Although general dentists are better for adults, children are better off seeing a pediatric dentist who can offer a targeted dental plan that can guide their oral hygiene into adulthood.

We’re on hand to help you and your child get the most out of their dental care provider, so if you have any questions or would like to know more about the dental sealants we offer, please call us at 949-458-0393.

Chipped teeth can be uncomfortable or painful depending on the extent of the chip and where it is on the tooth itself. If the chip isn’t painful and it isn’t bleeding, then it can be addressed at your child’s next check-up. However, if your child is in pain, then please call our dental office in Orange County, CA immediately. We also recommend doing this if the chipped tooth is bleeding, and this could indicate damage to the tooth root system.

Bathe the gum in salt water

If you’re waiting to visit our dental office, then you can take care of the chipped tooth by bathing it in warm salt water to remove blood or debris. We can restore your child’s chipped tooth by using dental bonding methods to match the tooth’s color and functionality.

Not sure what to do? Give us a call!

If you’re not sure if your child’s chipped tooth is an emergency or not, then we’ll be above to advise you on your next steps and put your mind at ease. Call our office today on (949) 458-0390 for more assistance.

More often than not, a tooth will need to be extracted if there’s an issue with an abscess or a cavity. However, in some cases, a tooth may be removed due to overcrowding. This is where a child’s x-ray shows an overcrowding of teeth in their jaw. This can lead to discomfort, pain, and can even cause a crooked smile if left untreated.

If your child needs to have a tooth extracted, then we’ll do everything we can to ensure a smooth process. First, we’ll number the area to provide comfort, then we’ll use the correct tools to pull the tooth from the gum. Sometimes, your child may require general anesthetic to remove a tooth. If this is necessary, then we will talk to you and your child through the process and work to put both of your minds at ease.

Tooth extraction can seem daunting, but it’s often a necessary procedure that will aid in removing pain or any future issues with your child’s teeth. If you’d like more information on the tooth extraction process, or if you think your child requires a tooth extraction, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of experts, who can advise you further and book you in for an appointment.

The food particles a child misses with a toothbrush will feed the plaque on the teeth, which will help to promote tooth decay. We understand that balancing a family schedule with work, school, chores and extracurricular activities can make it difficult to ensure a child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day.

Due to common dietary habits, the possibility of cavities forming in children becomes much higher and more common than some people may realize. Fortunately, dental sealants can help children grow up with healthy teeth and prevent tooth decay over time thanks to their preventative technology.

Dental sealants are liquid solutions that quickly harden as we place it on the top of the teeth. Sealants can last up to ten years, and can also prevent any decay on a tooth from spreading further. If you’d like to know more about dental sealants, or would like to book your child in for this procedure, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of experts, who can advise you further and book you in for an appointment. We’re on hand to help you and your child get the most out of their dental care provider, so if you have any questions or would like to know more about the dental sealants we offer, please get in touch, our number is (949) 458-0393.