Jun 10 2023

What Every Parent Should Know About Their Child’s First Dental Visit

There’s enormous lifelong value in getting your child off to a good start with his or her oral health. Their first dental visit will have a long lasting impact on the kind of life they enjoy because of their oral health habits. We love helping children get started on a life of great oral health at Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri!

When should my child first see a dentist, and why?

Seeing your child within six months after his or her first baby teeth erupt—no later than by their first birthday—is an ideal time for our first dental visit with you and your child. It’s a prime time for us to observe and document the development of your child’s mouth. Identifying potential problems early saves trouble, time, and expense. For example, early tooth decay, teething discomfort, gum disease, and prolonged thumb- or pacifier-sucking are issues that may affect your child’s health and their smile. We can provide preventive strategies and, if needed, effective remedies for these conditions.

How do I prepare my child and myself for this first visit?

We appreciate it greatly when you bring records of your child’s complete medical history for his or her record to the first dental visit. It helps us provide the best care we can.

Sometimes, parents who’ve had their own difficult dental experiences transfer their fears to their children by how they talk to them about going to the dentist. Make the upcoming dental visit something for your child to look forward to by helping him or her understand what will happen during the visit. There are a number of children’s books about going to the dentist. Reading these books with your child before his or her first dental visit is an excellent way to help prevent or minimize their apprehension about an unfamiliar place.

Very young children may be fussy and restless. We understand it’s normal for a child to feel frightened and cry, so you don’t need to worry about that. On the other hand, some children will happily cooperate during their visit. Either way, we’re happy they’re in our office to be seen before bigger problems develop!

What happens during their first visit?

Your child’s first dental visit is a time to acquaint your child with us. Short, regularly recurring visits can build the child’s comfort with us and with our office. The visit should be scheduled when your child is alert, fed, and refreshed. You may be asked to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the first examination. The first visit usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and may include any of the following, depending on the child’s age and ability to cooperate:

A gentle but thorough exam of the teeth, jaw, bite, and oral soft tissues to monitor growth and development
A gentle cleaning, including polishing teeth to remove plaque, tartar build-up, and stains
X-rays (usually not before 4 years of age)
A demonstration of proper home care for your child’s mouth and teeth
Nutritional counseling
An application of fluoride to the teeth

We’re happy to answer any questions you have to make you and your child feel comfortable throughout the visit.

When should we schedule the next appointment?

We recommend regular checkups every six months for children and adults. If treatment needs warrant, a more frequent interval for simple, non-threatening visits can help build your child’s confidence in coming to our office to make it easier for them to have their treatment done. In time, coming to see their Jefferson City family dentist to stay healthy will become an easy, ordinary thing to your child!

Jun 10 2023

Have A Children’s Or Adults’ Dental Emergency in Jefferson City, MO?

We know there’s never a good time for a dental emergency. They can arise while eating, playing, exercising, and participating in seemingly harmless activities. Oral injuries often hurt and should be evaluated and addressed in our Jefferson City dental office as soon as possible. Here are some tips from Stadium Dental Center about what to do in case you or your child have a dental emergency.

What are dental emergencies and how can I help my children avoid them?

Dental emergencies may involve a tooth breaking, cracking, becoming loosened, or being knocked completely out of the socket. Other urgent conditions include crowns coming off teeth or injuries to soft tissues in the mouth. You can help your children avoid dental emergencies through simple precautions, including making sure they wear sports mouthguards during games or practices and avoid foods that could crack or break the teeth.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is knocked out?

The best chance your child’s tooth has of surviving dental trauma is if you see Dr. Cardon within one hour of the injury—so call immediately to be seen promptly. Avoid handling the tooth by the root (the tapered part); touching the root could harm cells that need to remain alive to reattach the tooth to the bone.

Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove dirt, but don’t scrub it. Place the clean tooth in your child’s mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. It is important not to let the tooth dry out, so if your child can’t keep it in his or her mouth, immerse it in milk or the child’s own saliva until you get to our Jefferson City dental office.

If your child has a baby tooth knocked out, the tooth shouldn’t be replanted. However, you and your child should visit our office as soon as convenient to ensure no broken pieces of the tooth remain in the mouth.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is pushed out of position?

Call Stadium Dental Center right away for an emergency appointment at (573) 880-4411. In the meantime, you may try to gently reposition your child’s tooth to its normal alignment using light finger pressure. Many times this quick, simple action can be effective.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is chipped or fractured?

Tooth fractures vary by the depth and extent of the tissues affected by trauma. Chipped teeth are minor fractures and can be repaired. Moderate fractures involve damage to the enamel, gum tissue, and/or pulp, requiring more comprehensive evaluation and treatment. A severely fractured tooth may not be restorable to proper function.

If your child fractures a tooth, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and apply an ice pack or cold compress to minimize swelling. Contact our office immediately. Dr. Cardon can smooth minor tooth fractures or restore missing portions of the tooth. If you can find a broken tooth fragment, bring it with you when you come in.

What should I do if tissue in my child’s mouth is injured?

If a cut, tear, or puncture wound happens to your child’s cheek, lips, or tongue, gently rinse the wound with warm water. You can reduce bleeding from a tongue laceration by pulling the tongue forward and using gauze or a clean washcloth to compress the wound. Depending on the extent of the injury, it may be advisable for you visit an oral surgeon for emergency care, or go to the emergency room to be treated. We’re happy to talk with you about what would be best for your child in such circumstances.

Jun 10 2023

Endocarditis: Protect Against Dental Infection Spread To Your Heart

What is endocarditis?

Endocarditis is a rare, potentially fatal condition affecting the heart lining and its valves and started by bacterial infection. It is much more frequently found in people who have certain heart conditions and in previous endocarditis cases. If you are at high risk for endocarditis, your doctor may recommend antibiotics be taken before dental procedures.

Who should take preventive antibiotics?

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures for people with heart conditions associated with the highest risk of developing endocarditis. The AHA recommends that patients receive antibiotics prior to dental treatment only if they have:

had bacterial endocarditis before
a prosthetic (artificial) cardiac valve
prosthetic material used in valve repair
cardiac valve disease and have had a cardiac transplant
congenital (present at birth) heart disease. This includes only people having the following conditions:
- unrepaired cyanotic congenital heart disease (including those with devices that relieve symptoms only)
- completely repaired congenital heart defect with prosthetic material or device during the first six months after the procedure
- repaired congenital heart disease with defects that remain at or near the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device

With these recommendations in mind, you and your doctor can decide whether or not preventive antibiotic dosing is preferred for your condition.

How are preventive antibiotics taken?

Patients who require preventive treatment take a single dose of an antibiotic, usually by mouth about one hour before certain dental treatments.

For which dental procedures are the antibiotics taken?

For patients at highest risk for endocarditis, the AHA guidelines suggest preventive antibiotic treatment for only the following:

Dental procedures that involve manipulation of gum tissue (around bone and teeth) or the tip of the tooth root
Dental procedures in which the inside lining of the mouth is penetrated

The guidelines do not recommend that high-risk individuals take preventive antibiotics for the following dental procedures or events:

Routine anesthetic injections through noninfected tissue
Dental X-rays
Placement of removable dental prostheses or orthodontic appliances
Adjustment of orthodontic appliances
Placement of orthodontic brackets
Shedding of baby teeth
Bleeding from trauma to the lips or inside of the mouth

If you have concerns about whether or not preventive antibiotics are needed for your condition, talk to your doctor.

What can I do to lower my risk for infections?

To reduce your risk for infection, it’s important that your dental team knows about your current health status. Be sure to tell us if your health has changed since your last visit, including if you have been diagnosed with a heart condition. You should let us know if you’ve had heart or vascular surgery, or any other surgery or medical procedure, within the past six months.

In your dental record, make sure we have a complete list of the names and dosages of all of your medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, including vitamins and herbal remedies. It’s important that we have all of the names and phone numbers of your current physicians, in case we need to consult with them. Finally, it’s especially important to practice regular good home care of your teeth. Brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time, and floss every day. Visit our office at least every six months for regular exams and cleanings.

If you have questions about preventive antibiotic treatment, you should talk to your doctor and Dr. Cardon at Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri. Learn more at http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/CongenitalHeartDefects/TheImpactofCongenitalHeartDefects/Infective-Endocarditis_UCM_307108_Article.jsp#.Vwc4l8fntPY and http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/HeartValveProblemsandDisease/Heart-Valves-and-Infective-Endocarditis_UCM_450448_Article.jsp#.Vwc4_MfntPY

Jun 10 2023

Dental Anxiety: Is It A Learned Behavior?

THIS IS REALLY interesting. Perhaps, if you struggle with some level of dental anxiety, odds are you’ve picked some of that up from your parents.

Breaking The Dental Anxiety Cycle

According to a new study, by the University of Madrid, children most often look to their fathers when gauging potentially stressful situations. It appears that if a father is nervous about dental visits, his children pick up on his cues (no surprise there)—even unintentional ones—and may follow suit.

The findings include you too, mom. The International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry confirms that the higher the level of dental anxiety in any family member, the higher the level in the rest of the family. Other studies show that women more often demonstrate positive habits and attitudes towards dentistry—so it may be up to you to set the good example!

Your Comfort Is Our Highest Priority

The “old days” of dentistry are long gone. Modern dentistry makes visiting the dentist a comfortable experience. Here at Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri, we take your comfort very seriously. Here are a couple of additional ideas:

You’re always welcome to bring a friend or family member. Whatever your age, sometimes it’s nice to have a friendly face with you if you’re anxious.
Distract yourself. Do you have some favorite songs on your phone or MP3 player? What about a handheld game you enjoy? Bring it along! Our team will do everything we can to accommodate you.
Talk to us! One of the best ways to overcome anxiety is to talk about it. We are always happy to explain what we’re doing. And we’re happy to take breaks when and if you need them.

Some Ideas From HealthDay TV:

Helping Us Know You Better Makes A Difference Too!

Lots of things are uncomfortable when they’re new, or outside your routine. We want you to feel at home at Stadium Dental Center in Jefferson City, Missouri, so help us get to know you better. One of the best ways is through our Facebook page. Connect with us there and leave a comment or Like. You can also direct message us there. We’re listening.

Do you have a recommendation for overcoming dental anxiety? Something that’s worked for you? We’d love to hear about it!

If managing your dental anxiety might warrant sedation, we can help with that, too. Dr. Cardon is certified in conscious moderate sedation, sometimes referred to as “twilight sleep.” Many of our patients have been able to get problems treated that had been put off for many years with the help of sedation.

We appreciate and value your trust. Thanks for being our patient!

Jun 10 2023

Minimal Tooth Invasion For Maximum Preventive Dentistry

You may not have heard the term “minimally invasive dentistry,” but at Stadium Dental Center, we practice it every day. Read below and find out about what minimally invasive dentistry is and how we can use its methods to help preserve your smile.

What is minimally invasive dentistry?

The goal of minimally invasive dentistry, is to conserve healthy tooth structure through preventive dentistry. It focuses on prevention, remineralization (re-hardening), and minimal dentist intervention (drilling!). Using the state of the art techniques, we perform the most conservative amount of work required, never removing more of the tooth structure than necessary to restore teeth to a healthy condition. Minimally invasive dentistry also employs long-lasting materials that conserve as much tooth structure as possible, reducing the potential need for future repairs. For you, minimally invasive dentistry often means less drilling and less pain, and better disease prevention.

How does it work?

First, we’ll evaluate your risk for tooth decay, which is affected by the presence of bacteria in your mouth, the quality and quantity of your saliva, and your diet. If you show signs of decay, we may use special indicator dyes to map the diseased areas of your teeth, allowing us to remove and replace only those areas. In addition to performing minimally invasive techniques, we may recommend strategies to prevent or reduce your tooth decay risk; for example, if you have a high level of oral bacteria, we may advise you to rinse with a special prescription mouthwash, limit your intake of certain carbohydrates, and practice good oral hygiene.

What techniques are involved?

Minimally invasive dentistry techniques include:

• Remineralization: This technique can repair the damage caused by demineralization, a process in which acid exposure weakens the teeth. The use of fluoride and calcium phosphate compounds play an important role in helping to remineralize (re-harden) teeth.

• Sealants: These are used to protect teeth from the bacteria that cause decay. A type of flowable polymer resin, sealants fit into the grooves and depressions of the tooth, protecting it against bacteria and plaque. Sealants do not require any cutting of the tooth and are easily placed.

• Inlays and onlays: These can be used to restore a tooth without removing as much tooth structure as needed for a crown. Typically gold or tooth-colored, inlays are similar to fillings, but they are custom-made to fit your cavity. For more substantial restorations, onlays can be used instead, incorporating a replacement for the pointed tooth cusp and preserving more of your tooth structure.

• Bite guards: These oral appliances can help protect teeth from bruxism, or grinding, which often causes serious damage to the teeth if left unchecked. If you grind your teeth, we can create a bite guard for you to wear at night or during times of stress, when most grinding occurs.

• Air abrasion: This involves a stream of air combined with a super-fine, abrasive powder, which is used to remove decay if a tooth cannot be remineralized. We frequently use this technique instead of a traditional drill as this process may not require anesthesia.

These preventive dentistry techniques, along with proper oral health habits, can help keep your teeth healthy and prevent future dental problems. Ask us if these minimally invasive techniques might be right for you.

When should my child first see a dentist, and why?

How do I prepare my child and myself for this first visit?

What happens during their first visit?

When should we schedule the next appointment?

What are dental emergencies and how can I help my children avoid them?

What should I do if my child’s tooth is knocked out?

What should I do if my child’s tooth is pushed out of position?

What should I do if my child’s tooth is chipped or fractured?

What should I do if tissue in my child’s mouth is injured?

What is endocarditis?

Who should take preventive antibiotics?

How are preventive antibiotics taken?

For which dental procedures are the antibiotics taken?

What can I do to lower my risk for infections?

Breaking The Dental Anxiety Cycle

Your Comfort Is Our Highest Priority

Some Ideas From HealthDay TV:

Helping Us Know You Better Makes A Difference Too!

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