The Sooner the Better

It is always made clear to a parent how often they have to bring their children to the doctor, but what parents are often not aware of is when exactly they should bring their child to the dentist. Many parents don't even think about the dentist for their children until they are going to school and are required to have a check-up. What they don't realize is that oral health is also a part of their child's overall health and has to be prioritized right up there with pediatrician visits.  

It is recommended that children see the dentist before their first birthday. There are many things happening in your child's mouth around this time that parents may not know or see. Children acquire their first tooth around the age of six months. It is important for the pediatric dentist to measure the development of the child's teeth, check for and implement ways to prevent tooth decay, enforce good oral health habits, and build a comfortable anxiety free relationship with the child. 

When you bring your child to a pediatric dentist in Chicago a great way for you to learn more about their oral health is to ask questions. The dentist can tell you what you should be doing at home to prevent problems and can give you information to keep your child in good health; preventing future problems such as cavities and tooth decay. 

Seeing a Chicago pediatric dentist early on makes this visit seem more normal to your child. It takes away the stress and fear that many children develop of the dentist office. By doing this, your child will be more willing to tell you when their teeth hurt or if they have a problem with anything in their mouth before it gets bad. Any Chicago pediatric dentist will say that this good relationship between dentist and child helps the child have better oral hygiene down the road. 

Besides just that relationship and trust that is important to develop early on, there is also a great deal developing in the child's mouth that should be monitored by a dentist. A Chicago pediatric dentist can help prevent problems that years of braces and complicated procedures would be needed to fix in the future. The best rule of thumb when trying to decide when is the right time for your child to see a pediatric dentist is "the sooner the better". A pediatric dentist in Chicago can help your child love the dentist. 

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Come to the Dentist Together!

Children love to do what their parents do. Have you ever seen a mother cook dinner while her daughter is in the kitchen? Or a dad shave in the bathroom with his son present? I have, and it usually goes that the mom cannot bring the pot to the stove, and the dad can barely get the shaving cream on his face before their son or daughter is imitating their parents every move. Kids admire their parents and if mom or dad is doing it, then it has to be awesome. This rule carries over to the dentist as well. The dentist is often a place that induces great fear and anxiety in children. That fear usually stems in a number of things, a few of the most common are being away from their parents, the unknown, and fear of being hurt. As a family friendly Chicago Orthodontist, Dentistry4Children offers a great way to reduce this fear in your child: Go to the dentist together! 

It is important to note is that dental health really begins in childhood, and dental health, in a great part, leads to dental beauty.  As a child, seeing the dentist on a regular basis is important for many reasons.  By going to the dentist regularly children are taught good dental habits and are held responsible if their dental hygiene is not up to par at their next visit. One of the most important reasons dentists urge parents to make appointments for their children is to build good habits for their kids.These habits are carried on into adulthood and passed down to their own children. Another reason regular dental visits are encouraged is to reduce their fear. The more we are exposed to something, the less scary it becomes; so bringing kids to the dentist on a regular basis relieves the anxiety. If it seems normal, then it must be okay!

While ensuring health and building good habits are two of the main reasons that children are typically encouraged to visit the dentist, visiting a Chicago orthodontist is also good for parents. Like almost everything else in the world seems to be, dentistry has changed a lot since parents were kids. The technology and techniques that orthodontists use are far more advanced than even those of ten years ago. An orthodontist in Chicago can now  not only predict future problems, but also have the means to prevent these problems.

By coming to this family-friendly orthodontist in Chicago with their children, parents can not only ease their child's anxiety and help make the dentist a more stress free environment (because if mom or dad is doing it, it can't be that scary), but they can also learn about how they can aid in helping their child's smile in the long run. They can learn of new techniques and measure the growth and development of their child's mouth. When looking for a Chicago Orthodontist, no other office can can compete with the experience of Dentistry4Children.



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Thumb Sucking

Children can pick up many habits. The one that seems harmless at first can soon grow into a huge issue says pediatric dentist Chicago, Dr. Kevin Boyd, D.D.S. The habit is thumb sucking of course. When children are really young it is cute, but at what age does it stop being cute and is beginning to be a problem?

First lets take a look at why they might be doing this. There is something about sucking your thumb that is very comforting says the pediatric dentist Chicago. It makes the child feel secure, especially at nighttime. Let's not forget that they always have it on hand.

Children who suck their fingers and or thumb are at a much greater risk of altering their teeth. The reason being that children’s teeth, up to age 5, are very movable and are not set in says the pediatric dentist Chicago. You might be wondering why it even matters. Their teeth are just going to fall out, so what is the big deal. Well, people don’t realize this, but your permanent teeth actually follow the lead of your baby teeth. If they are pushed forward from thumb sucking, then your permanent teeth will follow.

This problem with thumb sucking can be very costly as well. If you don’t have dental insurance it can really be expensive.. There are ways to get your child off this disruptive habit. There are several ways to stop this says the pediatric dentist Chicago. There is nail polish that has a bitter unsatisfying taste that will make this comforting urge less appealing. And that is an understatement; the polish is gross and will deter your child from practicing.

If you can get your child to stop before age 4, there is a good chance their teeth will realign and get back in working order. If they continue, there will almost always be a negative result. The so-called “buckteeth” are the most common issue involved with thumb sucking. Not only does this effect your child’s bite, it could also give them self esteem issues that could impact them for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Kevin Boyd, D.D.S.

Pediatric Dentist Chicago

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Chicago Pediatric Dentist

A real patient's testimonial about their first visit to Dentistry For Children to see Dr. Boyd, Pediatric Dentist in Chicago.

Yesterday we took both girls to the dentist for the first time. We chose a dentist who works closely with our cleft team--Dr. Boyd. He said her lip and palate looked great--actually thought Dr. Vicari had done her lip it looked so good! She has a 2% overbite but she juts her tongue and lower jaw out which makes her appear to have a big underbite which is to basically say that it's all fixable. She screamed (but surprisingly stayed immobile on my lap, clutching my finger) through both the dental exam and the teeth cleaning which was helpful in that we could see all her teeth and her palate but it did make explanations from the dentist a bit difficult to hear. We go back in January to have her fitted for her first appliance to help her jaw form properly--an infant trainer.

Kate was up next and had the total opposite reaction to the masked hygienist and dentist. You can certainly tell which kid has been traumatized by masked doctors and which kid has not. After examining all the instruments and playing with the water wand, Kate reclined back on me and said "AAAHHHH" the whole time her teeth were being cleaned and examined. Got a clean bill of health but he also said the infant trainer could help her too as he can already see that she is going to have overcrowded teeth (sorry kid, that comes from me...) which is going to affect the way her jaw forms. So, she will go back in January as well.

He recommended that Lucy be weaned from the bottle in a month's time but in my opinion that is going to all depend on how quickly she picks up drinking from something else as the majority of her liquids still comes from the bottle. He also wanted Kate off the sippy cup and straws...bottom line, we should all be only drinking out of cups b/c the other types of cups force your jaw into growing in such a way that keep orthodontists in business. I guess that means Starbucks has been good for business with its version of the adult sippy cup!

Amazingly, no cavities for Lucy (or Kate but no surprise there as she's yet to eat candy and doesn't prefer sweet stuff). The dentist was actually really impressed with how good her teeth and mouth looked overall. He said it was obvious that someone was taking care of her nutritionally (which we could tell based on her overall health and her being able to self-limit on food when at the table). But she also received excellent surgeries which is just astounding based on the horror stories we've heard of fistulas, lips sewn too tight, etc. She got the best care she could have under the circumstances.
Lucy recovered quite quickly as soon as the masks came off the staff and the dental bib was removed. She did hug me and try to hide in my shirt as I was standing us up to leave the room but as soon as she saw Kate and Len in the waiting room she perked right up and started laughing and dancing around. It must just be the masked strangers because she loves to have her teeth brushed every night...in fact she's the one with her mouth wide open saying "AAHHH!"

Kate, meanwhile, was upset when the bib was removed and kept asking for both the bib and the toothpaste...I can assure you she's not as thrilled or compliant when I brush her teeth at night, mouth clamped shut or biting the brush. I guess I need the spinny brush and "Mr. Thirsty" (the thing that sucks the water out of your mouth).

Chicago Pediatric Dentist

Best Pediatric Dentist

Mom Loves Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Kevin's Passion

June 28, 2011

"I appreciate Dr. Boyd's focus on children's overall health. He stresses the importance of good nutrition and how it affects dental health and how orthodontic work can improve a child's breathing. Dr. Boyd also studies history and anthropology so that he can better understand how our teeth got to where they are today. Gotta love his passion for what he does; I do."
Audrey Zuschlag Chicago



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A Different Kind of Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Kevin Boyd not only practices pediatric dentistry.  He is one of the leaders in Orthotropics.

Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Kevin Boyd

Kevin Boyd is a pediatric dentist with over 20 years experience delivering outstanding dental healthcare to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults with physical and/or mental disabilities, and other special needs. After graduating from Loyola University's Chicago College of Dentistry in 1986, he attended the University of Iowa for his advanced residency training in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Boyd also holds an advanced degree (M.Sc.) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from Michigan State University where he participated in research projects related to unhealthy eating and how it contributes to tooth decay, obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. His strong academic background in nutritional biochemistry has been instrumental in motivating the importance he places on nutrition as being a key component of each child's dental health plan. He has been on staff at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and Michael Reese Hospital as an attending clinical instructor. Following this, he was in charge of the pediatric division of dentistry at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics and La Rabida Children's Hospital where he also served as a member of the U of C Cleft Palate Team—a highly specialized group consisting of plastic surgeons, oral surgeons, pediatricians, otolaryngologists, speech pathologists, orthodontists and pediatric dentists, who manage the physical, emotional and social challenges of children with facial abnormalities.

Pediatric Dental Office

Pediatric Dentist Chicago

Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric Dentistry was formerly known as Pedodontics and is the dental specialty recognized by the American Dental Association which encompasses comprehensive dental care for all children, from infancy through adolescence. A children's dentist is a practitioner who, after becoming a general dentist (often called a family dentist), has completed an additional two years of post-doctoral training in the recognition and treatment of children's dental and orthodontic problems. Specialty education includes child psychology, behavior guidance, preventive techniques, restorative dentistry, interceptive and comprehensive care (braces), and the treatment of handicapped or chronically ill children. A pediatric dentist is the only dentist completely qualified in delivering comprehensive children's dental care. The dentist and staff strive to make the child's experience safe, comfortable, educational, and fun.
It is very common that parents now choose a pediatric dentist for their child's dental needs, just as they prefer a pediatrician for their child's medical needs.

Pediatric Dentistry

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When Dentists Fear Children

By Laird Harrison, Senior Editor
February 3, 2010 -- In a series of three articles and videos during February -- Children's Dental Health Month -- DrBicuspid.com is exploring what dental professionals can do to make early childhood visits pleasant and productive for patient and provider alike.
Even if they understand directions, toddlers often refuse to follow them. They squirm, cry, puke, and wet their pants during dental visits. What teeth they have will fall out no matter what you do. So it's no wonder that many dental professionals don't want to deal with them.
"The general practice community may find it very intimidating," said John Rutkauskas, D.D.S., CEO of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). The AAPD recommends that children see a dentist by the end of their first year or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. But surveys suggest most kids aren't making it to the dentist that early.
What's stopping them?
The ADA supports the first-year or first-tooth recommendation, as does the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
One study of Medicaid children in North Carolina found that the earlier a child's first dental visit, the less likely the child was to need restorative or emergency dental visits over the next five years and the lower the cost of caring for the child's oral health during that time (Pediatrics, October 2004, Vol. 114:4, pp. e418-e423).
But the policy first promulgated by the AAPD in 2001 has yet to take hold. In September of 2009, only 36% (± 3%) of 914 of Americans with children younger than age 12 agreed with the first-year or first-tooth recommendation, according to a Delta Dental survey.
Previously some health organizations recommended a first dental visit by age 3. But most people aren't even following this recommendation. University of Iowa researchers writing in Pediatric Dentistry (January/February 2002, Vol. 24:1, pp. 64-68) reported that only 31% of children whose caregivers they surveyed had seen a dentist by age 3.
Other research suggests that children's fear is the biggest reason general dentists refer patients to pediatric specialists (International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, November 2007, Vol. 17:6, pp. 407-418). So how can you ease that anxiety?

The distracting dentist
Practitioners who specialize in treating children make their practices welcoming by letting the kids and their parents know what to expect, said Brian Quo, D.D.S., M.A., a Palo Alto, CA, pediatric dentist. Some pediatric specialists even offer a dental appointment without an examination, just to make friends.
Dental practices can decorate walls with posters of cartoon characters and furnish the waiting room, or even the operatory, with child-sized furniture, books, and toys. All this can make the office feel more inviting and familiar to its youngest visitors.
During the appointment, pediatric experts employ three key techniques: distraction, praise, and "tell, show, do."
With distraction, the idea is to take the child's mind off a procedure that might feel uncomfortable or frightening. Some dentists now employ electronic entertainment by using such devices as iPods, Game Boys, video goggles, or TV screens.
But when the entertainment comes from a human being, it's more likely to build rapport. Distraction can be as simple as asking a child to find his or her belly button just before you inject an anesthetic, asking about the child's interests, or suggesting that the child count how many seconds a procedure is taking.
Leticia Mendoza-Sobel, D.D.S., a pediatric dentist in Piedmont, CA, and an assistant professor at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, has made a name for herself by telling her patients stories, singing songs, and playing games.
The approach helps her as much as it does the patients. "I love children. They let me be myself and act silly," she said.
Next week: Perhaps the simplest, yet most powerful, technique for calming kids is "tell, show, do." The second article in this series will demonstrate how to make this approach work in your practice.