Welcome to our practice and thank you for the opportunity to provide dental care for your child. Our goal is to make you and your child's visit to our practice as comfortable as possible. We strongly believe that all children should have access to dental care in an appropriate setting.

 

 

Table of Contents
What to expect at each visit
Handling your Child’s Dental Emergency

 

When your child visits Perham Family Dentistry, you can expect the very best quality care for your child.  To ensure our office can meet these needs, the following outlines the treatment we institute for routine care;

 

  • We provide an exam, cleaning, and fluoride treatment every 6 months (usually starting between 2 and 3 years old)
  • During the exam, we will check the erupted teeth for cavities, the gums for infection, and other mouth tissues for abnormalities ("count the teeth").  We also check for sufficient room for the permanent teeth and evaluate occlusion (the way the teeth come together) and the jaw joint.
  • We use a concentrated fluoride which is applied by brush rather than trays.  Some insurance companies limit their coverage for fluoride treatments to once a year.  We follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation which states to "Provide topical fluoride every six months."  Fluoride is given every six months unless you consult with our office prior to treatment.
  • Decay detecting x-rays (bitewings or panoramic) are taken on an as needed basis. Bitewings are usually taken once a year, and a panoramic every 5 years. We do use a digital x-ray system in our office. 
  • We will go over preventive measures such as proper tooth brushing, flossing, fluoride, and diet.
  • Sealants: We are firm believers in sealant application to prevent decay in the grooves of teeth.  More information will be provided if your child needs sealants.

Using the information from the examination and x-rays, we assemble an appropriate treatment plan to ensure optimal dental health. Our recommendations are not based upon insurance coverage or other limitations. We will recommend what we consider to be optimal treatment for your child. Treatment as indicated by the diagnosis will be provided at subsequent appointments.

Before your child’s appointment it is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as needle, pull, drill or hurt. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child. We will treat your child as our own and will provide treatment in the most gently caring way possible.
We invite you to look around our web site. We have lots of information about dentistry here, but you can also find useful information at the following web sites:

 

 

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Handling your Child’s Dental Emergency

Knowing how to handle a dental emergency can mean the difference between saving and losing your child’s tooth. Here are some tips to help you cope quickly and calmly with a dental emergency.

KNOCKED- OUT TOOTH
Hold the tooth by the crown, and rinse the root with water it is dirty. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in its socket with a clean wash cloth or gauze, and take your child to the dentist as soon as possible.

BROKEN TOOTH
Rinse the mouth with warm water to keep the area clean. Put cold compresses on the face to reduce swelling. Go to the dentist immediately. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, bring it with you to the dentist.

BITTEN TONGUE OR LIP
Clean the area gently with a cloth and place cold compresses on the area to keep swelling down. If bleeding is excessive or doesn’t stop after a short period of time, take your child to a dentist or physician.

OBJECTS CAUGHT BETWEEN TEETH
Gently try to remove the object with dental floss. If you are not successful, go to the dentist. Do not try to remove the object with a sharp or pointed instrument. 

TOOTHACHE
Rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Use dental floss to remove any food that may be trapped between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissue. Take your child to the dentist as soon as possible.

POSSIBLE BROKEN JAW
Apply cold compress control swelling. Take your child to the dentist or a hospital emergency room immediately.

PRIMARY TEETH AND PERMANENT TEETH
If something happens to a child’s primary tooth, or “baby tooth,” you should still take your child to the dentist as soon as possible. Although it is normal for children to lose primary teeth, an accident that damages a primary tooth could also harm the permanent tooth underneath.

IF A DENTAL EMERGENCY HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE TRAVELING:

  • Look in the Yellow Pages under “dentist” to find the state or local dental society phone number to get a referral.
  • Ask the hospital to recommend a dentist.
  • Ask the hotel concierge or other hotel staff to refer you to a dentist.
  • If you are out of the country, contact the U.S. Embassy. Many embassies and consulates maintain lists of local medical and dental personnel, which may also be available online at http://usembassy.state.gov. After clicking on the country you are visiting, medical listings are usually found under the heading “US Citizen Services.”

 

 

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