1. What should a parent do if their child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth?

Most important is time when it comes out to a permanent tooth that has been "knocked out" . If you are able to, the best place for the tooth to be kept while you get to your dentist or emergency room is in the socket that it came from, but not under the tongue or in the cheek. If you cannot place back into the socket, then place in cold milk or one of the commercial cell medias like "Save a Tooth" and get to your dentist as soon as possible.


2. What s the Best Toothpaste for my Child?

There is not a "best" toothpaste on the market. The most important ingredient is fluoride, so any fluoride-containing toothpaste is adequate.


3. How can parents help prevent tooth decay?

The formation of a cavity is complex. Some things are out of the control of the parent, and some things are within his/her control. Some suggestions for reducing the likelihood of decay are:

1). start taking your child to the pediatric dentist within the first six (6) months after the first tooth erupts or by age 1.

2). Brush your child s teeth with just a smear of fluoride toothpaste if under the age of 3; a pea size from 3-6.

3) limit juice to only 4 ozs per day and if the child is using a sippy cup, water in the cup is advisable if the child is carrying it around with him/her.


4. How do I find a pediatric dentist in my hometown?

To find a pediatric dentist, you can go to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentist website www.aapd.org. If you would like a Board Certified pediatric dentist, you can go to the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry website; www.abpd.org


5. Are baby teeth really that important to my child?

Baby teeth are very important! Studies have shown that children suffering from dental caries and tooth pain have more missed school days, have less appetite and parent s miss more days from work.