You notice brown areas of your babies teeth. You grow concerned . After your visit to the dentist you leave there confused from all the information that was just given to you. Some may wonder if the Dentist was being honest or just wanting money. Well that is why the tooth fairy has become technologically savy.

Should your child have bottle carries some of the first steps is in determining how many teeth are affected and their severity. Once this has been determined your dentist should provide with a thorough treatment plan explaining to you his recommendations and procedures.

Please understand there are many options aseach doctor has his own procedure policy and that is o.k just understand how his office works.

Some common terms :

• Pulpotomy- Is the removal of the nerve chamber and replaced with a fabricated nerve . This is performed when the tooth is badly decayed and infected with bacteria. This area is the only blood supply to the tooth. Once this area is infected it should not go untreated, as this is a direct flow to the blood stream. Your child could become very ill from the bacteria. it is important for the removal of all decay and bacteria. The blood supply to the tooth will be closed off . The tooth then becomes brittle and is need of a crown for protection.
• Crowns-A  crown (often called a cap) fits over and replaces the entire part of a decayed or broken down tooth . It encases the tooth and becomes the tooth's new outer surface. A child crown is often times made of stainless steel and may or may not have a pocelain face for cosmetic reasons.
• Extractions- It is simply the removal of teeth.
• Panoramic x-rays (Pano)- A full mouth x- ray. This x-ray is usally taken in its own room or location because of the size of the machine. Your child will be asked to stand and bite on a stick. This is for jaw and facial positioning. Your child wil be asked to hold very still for about 15seconds. The unit rotates half way around their head during the process. This is usually performed on older children for tooth developement and location.  
• P.A - (pariapical x-rays)-  A single x-ray. this is taken for the purpose of seeing the apex and root area of the tooth . Some of them can be unfortable and the film or sensor may apear large for child . However these are designed to capture the necessary areas of the tooth so the dentist is able to make a proper diagnosis.
• Bwx- Bite wing x-rays- These are routine diagnostic x-rays perfomed every 6 months and some times only once a year , at routine care appointments.
• Treatment plan- This is where the doctor has diagnosed all the areas needing treatment. This is a record for the doctor to track your childs hsitroy and future treatment and to educate and inform the parents the needs of their child. If large will be broken down into appointments. this is designed based on your childs comfort level. 
• Restorations/composites/resin restorations- These are fillings. When the tooth has decay , the decay is removed. To rebuild the tooth the dentist uses fillings to replace the missing tooth structure. The filling material used id based on your dentists preferrence. It is either a compisite resin material that is light cured, or a alloy,which the same as an amalgam which composed of several differrent metals and this has also been known as the mercury filling. No longer the restoration of choice no matter the location.
• Pre-medication with oral sedation-This is when the dentist prescribes medication often times it maybe called a cocktail. This is often a mixture of several differrent muscle relaxers and given in applesauce  during their appointment. I reccommend you ask the doctor why the recommendation, how long is the affect, What are the risks, long term side effects.
• Nitrous Oxide- This is also know as laughing gas. This is a combination of 2 gases and is administered to your child thru a nose mask. Often refferred to as elephant nose or astronaut mask  etc....Your child is usually placed on this about 15 -20 minutes prior to the doctor administering the anesthetic. This reacts with the body to create a relaxed sensation with your child if used correctly.
• Local Anesthetic- Is the liquid injected into the gum tissue located toward the back of the mouth cheek area. or directly next to tooth based on the treatment being performed on the tooth. Various types of this medication are used  for differrent durations availability and its contents.Do Not confuse this with complete sedation.
• Complete sedation- This referred to at times as(being put under) . This is when the patient is artifcially put to sleep. This requires special equipment and licenses to perfom this procedure. When the option is required the doctor often schedules the time with an operating room in a hosptial . The doctor will choose this procedure when a child has a very large treatment plan or the child is very anxious. 

Dental health begins in early stages of development. When babies are born the teeth are still developing and gathering nutrients. As this is occurring it is very important that you think about this, during this time. Don let your child fall asleep  with a bottle . limit snacking and sippy cups. Be aware of what child is eating and drinking.

There are many stages of development through this time. You should take a gauze and wipe the gums of your baby’s mouth before putting him/her to bed. This removes the bacteria that will seep through the gums and could affect your baby’s undeveloped teeth.

FAQ

What should I do if my toddler has a tooth knocked out or has trauma to the mouth?

Do not panic. Normally when this occurs it is a front tooth. First you check to make sure your baby has not cut open any area of his face or mouth. Next is the tooth just loose or is it knocked out completely? If the tooth is still somewhat intact just push it back into place and place ice on the area and call your dentist immediately. Should the tooth be out completely, call you dentist immediately and place a gauze over the area apply pressure for at least 10 -15 minutes this should stop the bleeding. Depending on your child’s age this tooth may or not be important for development and alignment of the permanent teeth.

Should I be concerned if my baby’s teeth are not coming through yet?

Baby or otherwise known as deciduous teeth come through in stages as they develop.

Lower or upper anterior – (front) teeth are typically seen first. They generally start to show at around 6 months. Now this is just a guideline as every child’s anatomy is different.

At what age should I take my child to the dentist?

Most general practices start seeing children between the ages of 3-4. However there are specialty offices ( Pedodontists) that will see children at a much earlier age if your child has concerns.