Child’s First Tooth Loss

Losing a baby tooth is the ultimate sign of becoming a big kid. However, having wobbly and painful teeth can be a source of anxiety for children who have not experienced the sensation of a loose tooth before. At Children’s Dental Center, Dr. Olga Ortuzar wants parents to understand why this pain occurs and how you can help your child through it to ensure a positive tooth loss experience.

While losing baby teeth is a normal occurrence for children, it can be accompanied by some degree of pain. As the baby tooth breaks free of its nerve endings, the area can become swollen, red and painful. Although your child may insist that it’s hard to bite or chew with loose or missing teeth, it’s important for him or her to maintain a healthy diet. If your child won’t chew, serve them vegetable soup, pureed fruits, and other healthy soft foods. Other techniques to lessen tooth pain in kids include applying a cold compress to the outside of your child’s mouth to minimize pain and swelling. Then of course, there is always the tooth fairy. With this method, your child may even start to look forward to losing a tooth.

To learn more about a child's toothing process and services offered at the Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth in Sports

Kids need to put their energy somewhere and they likely do that playing contact sports. Because accidents can happen during any physical activity, the advantage of using a mouth guard during sports is that it can help limit the risk of mouth-related injuries to your lips, tongue, and soft tissues of your mouth. Here at Children’s Dental Center we suggest a custom-fitted mouth guard for the highest level of comfort and protection for your child’s mouth.

Mouth guards are essentially plastic dental appliances that are worn over the teeth. For a custom-fitted mouth guard, Dr. Olga Ortuzar will take an impression of your mouth and send it out to have a custom-mouth guard made. The thinness of the custom mouth guard allows for easy breathing and also allows for easy communication (especially important for your star athlete). This will obviously be the most comfortable type to wear, and will offer your child with the best protection.

If your child plays sports and you are concerned about his or her dental safety, give us a call to discuss your options. To learn more about our different types of mouth guards and other dental services we offer here at Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.   

Sealants for Kids

Dental sealants act as a barrier to prevent cavities. Because of the likelihood of developing decay, in the depressions of grooves of the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates for sealants. Here at Children’s Dental Care, Dr. Olga Ortuzar can provide sealants to stop cavities in their tracks.

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth (premolars and molars) to prevent tooth decay. Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of the teeth, but toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food. Because Children have newly erupted, permanent teeth, they receive the greatest benefit from sealants. To place a sealant, an adhesive is first applied to the teeth. The sealant is then placed over the adhesive as a liquid, as if it is painted right onto the tooth. The liquid then hardens and creates a barrier between your tooth and any plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Sealants last for about 10 years and can be reapplied if necessary.

To learn more about sealants and other services offered at Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.   

Why Your Child May Need a Space Maintainer

A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-made by Dr. Olga Ortuzar here at Children’s Dental Center in acrylic or metal material. It can be either removable or cemented in a child’s mouth. Its purpose is to keep the space open to allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. Baby teeth are important to the development of the teeth, jaw bones and muscles and help to guide permanent teeth into position when baby teeth are lost.

Children may need space maintainers if they lose a tooth early or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to dental decay. If both of these issues are the case, it is important to know the benefits of using a space maintainer and how it can help support your child’s dental health. If a space is not maintained, then teeth can shift into the open space and orthodontic treatment may be required. Once the space maintainer is made by Dr. Olga Ortuzar, it may take the child a few days to get accustomed to wearing the appliance whether it is removable or fixed.

There are various types of space maintainers, and in some cases more than one technique may be tried. With the proper treatment and home care, together we can maintain your child’s dental health. To learn more about our space maintainers and other services offered at Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.   

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

 

New parents often ask the question, “When should I take my child to the dentist?” The short answer is, “First visit by first birthday.” The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Here at Children’s Dental Center, Dr. Olga Ortuzar is a pediatric dentist that will answer all of your questions when it comes to your child’s oral health - from how to prepare your child for a visit to what will happen during the first appointment.

Before the visit, plan a course of action for either reaction your child may exhibit – cooperative or non-cooperative. Very young children may be fussy and not sit still. Talk to your child about what to expect, and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming appointment. Many first visits are nothing more than introductory icebreakers to acquaint your child with the dentist at the practice. If the child is compliant, the first session often lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, and may include and examination, a gentle cleaning, or x-rays, depending on age. 

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call today! To learn more about our dental services here at Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.   

New parents often ask the question, “When should I take my child to the dentist?” The short answer is, “First visit by first birthday.” The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Here at Children’s Dental Center, Dr. Olga Ortuzar is a pediatric dentist that will answer all of your questions when it comes to your child’s oral health - from how to prepare your child for a visit to what will happen during the first appointment.

Before the visit, plan a course of action for either reaction your child may exhibit – cooperative or non-cooperative. Very young children may be fussy and not sit still. Talk to your child about what to expect, and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming appointment. Many first visits are nothing more than introductory icebreakers to acquaint your child with the dentist at the practice. If the child is compliant, the first session often lasts between 15 and 30 minutes, and may include and examination, a gentle cleaning, or x-rays, depending on age.

If you are searching for a pediatric dentist, look no further and give us a call today! To learn more about our dental services here at Children’s Dental Center visit www.childrensdentalcenter.net for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Olga Ortuzar in Everett, WA, call 425-355-1136.