When Can My Child Get Sealants?

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Sealants are a popular procedure for parents because they can drastically reduce the amount of dental visits that you need to make with your child. However, they’re also time-sensitive. Here, we’ll look at when to get sealants in Hackensack, NJ, how they protect your child’s mouth, and where you can turn for professional advice.

When Should Kids Get Sealants?

Sealant can be applied as early as six years old when the first permanent molars come in. Once the second molars erupt, usually around age 12, you can schedule another sealant appointment with your dentist in Hackensack, NJ.

Whether you opt for sealants on the child’s wisdom teeth (sometimes called third molars), depends on not just how the wisdom teeth erupt but the inherent surface of the wisdom tooth. For example, if the wisdom teeth come in perfectly and feature deep grooves, sealants may be recommended.

Why Should Children Get Sealants?

Sealants essentially correct for fissures in teeth. Molars have grooves and pockmarks during childhood which can make them difficult to clean. When kids can already be careless when brushing and flossing, sealants fill in the gaps and virtually eliminate the odds of a cavity.

Once your child hits adulthood, the molars will have smoothed out on their own, which means that the sealants lose effectiveness over time. That being said, it’s one of the smartest ways to protect your child’s mouth as they age.

The right pediatric dentist can counsel you on the best treatments long before you have to think about sealants. (Dentists recommend your child’s first dental visit within six months of their first tooth eruption.) If you’re interested in scheduling a sealant appointment or having your child evaluated, contact State Street Smiles to learn more.

When To Schedule Baby’s First Dentist Appointment

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Babies coo, cry, slobber, and chew on everything when they’re teething. And when that first little white bump appears, parents’ already question-racked minds then fill with questions like:

  • Do I brush this tooth, and if so, how?
  • How can I keep my baby from getting tooth decay?
  • They’re only baby teeth, so why do we need to brush them?
  • How are we going to survive when we take away the pacifier?
  • And, of course: When should we schedule the baby’s first dental appointment?

Your Hackensack, NJ pediatric dentists at State Street Smiles are here to help answer these and any other questions you have about caring for your baby’s teeth the right way.

Scheduling Your Baby’s First Visit to the Dentist

We typically recommend scheduling your baby’s first visit for pediatric dentistry between 6 months and a year old—or about when that first little tooth appears. During that first visit, we will try to help you and your baby feel comfortable with the idea of visiting the dentist and answer all the questions you have about your baby’s dental health. This visit is so important for you and your baby, but also for us! Here are some things you can do to prepare:

Prepare a List of Questions

We are here to answer all of them. No question about your child’s dental health is stupid, so do not be afraid to ask us anything! Some of the most common things we discuss with parents include:

  • Preventing tooth decay from bottle feeding
  • How to clean baby teeth and gums
  • Tips and tricks for surviving teething
  • Pacifier weening
  • What to do if the thumb replaces the pacifier
  • So many more!

Your Baby’s Medical History

Let us know about your baby’s medical history so we can be ready for whatever treatments might be needed. Usually, this first appointment is all about getting to know each other, feeling comfortable, and teaching parents home oral health techniques for your baby’s growing set of chompers.

Visit Your Pediatric Dentists in Bergen County

Don’t worry! Your baby’s first dental appointment at State Street Smiles in Hackensack is designed to instill comfort, confidence, and education! The dentist will check the gums, bite, the tooth (or teeth), and the jaws very gently to get an idea of growth and development. We’ll answer your questions and give you tips on helping your baby embark on a lifetime of healthy smiles! So, if that little tooth has erupted, schedule your baby’s first dental appointment today!

Three Benefits of Early Orthodontic Treatment for Your Child

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Orthodontic treatment is often considered a rite of passage for teenagers, but did you know that early orthodontic treatment for your child, starting as early as age 7, can actually help your child avoid more difficult and expensive treatment as a teen? Here at State Street Smiles, your Hackensack, NJ dentists are trained to provide “interceptive”, “Phase 1” early orthodontic treatment that comes with the following three benefits:

1. Early Orthodontic Treatment Can Prevent Bigger Problems Later

Phase 1 orthodontic treatment can alleviate jaw and bite problems early, while your child still has some baby teeth and adult teeth are growing in. Preparing a younger child’s jaw and positioning can ensure that the permanent teeth have more room to erupt when it’s time. Our dentists in Hackensack can catch and monitor problems early on. While later orthodontia may still be necessary, if earlier intervention is possible, it can often prevent more difficult treatments down the road.

2. Pediatric Orthodontics Can Alleviate Several Bite Problems

Children with the following jaw and bite problems can benefit from early orthodontics:

  • Children who had thumb-sucking or other habits that affected the alignment of their teeth.
  • Children with significant over- or underbites can benefit from early orthodontic bite-alignment treatment to help improve speech and chewing activity.
  • Children with severe tooth crowding can experience significant tooth misalignment and impacted teeth when their jaw space isn’t sufficient for all their permanent teeth to grow in. Phase 1 orthodontic treatment can alleviate some of these issues before they become serious.
  • Children with crossbites (a situation in which the upper and lower jaws are misaligned) can benefit from early orthodontia to help restore proper alignment, which can prevent excess wear, chewing, speech, and TMJ problems.

3. May Prevent the Need for Adult Tooth Extraction

Interceptive orthodontia occurs while your child’s jawbone is still growing, which makes adjusting the bite easier than after this growth period has finished. This can reduce the need for adult tooth extraction later on.

Ask the Dentists Hackensack Trusts about Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids

Schedule an appointment at State Street Smiles today to discuss your child’s individual needs and to ask any questions you have about Phase 1 orthodontia.

A young girl with long hair holds her hand to her cheek, looking uncomfortable or in pain, against a plain white background.

Tooth Rot in Children: Causes and Prevention

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Tooth decay in children, sometimes referred to as tooth rot, is a problem many families encounter. Because kids’ teeth are more vulnerable than adult teeth, cavities can develop faster than you might expect. Knowing why this happens and how to guard against it is an important part of keeping your child’s mouth healthy.

What Causes Tooth Rot

The process usually starts when bacteria in the mouth feed on leftover sugars and starches from food and drinks. These bacteria create acids that slowly break down enamel. Since children’s enamel is thinner and less resilient, it doesn’t take long for damage to occur. Habits like sipping on fruit juice throughout the day or falling asleep with a bottle of milk can make the situation worse by giving bacteria more time to attack. Your pediatric dentist in Hackensack, NJ recommends substituting sugary drinks with water.

How To Spot The Early Signs

Tooth rot doesn’t always cause obvious pain at first. Parents may notice faint white marks, darker spots, or even tiny pits forming on the teeth. As decay progresses, sensitivity or discomfort may appear, and untreated cavities can spread deeper, sometimes leading to infections.

Simple Ways To Prevent Decay

Helping your child brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and teaching them to floss once a day will go a long way. Reducing sugary snacks and sticky treats also makes a big difference. Regular dental visits allow the dentist to provide protective treatments, like fluoride or sealants, that can strengthen teeth and lower the risk of cavities forming.

Tooth rot in children doesn’t have to be a given. With smart habits at home and regular checkups, you can give your child a strong start toward a lifetime of healthy teeth. If you have concerns, reach out to your Hackensack, NJ dentist for guidance and care tailored to your child’s needs.

A dentist wearing scrubs and gloves shows a young girl her teeth in a yellow mirror while they both sit in a dental clinic.

5 Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry for Your Child

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Kids need routine dental care and other services just as adults do. But bringing your child to the dentist may be easier said than done if they’re nervous or have trouble sitting still. Our dentists in Hackensack, NJ, at State Street Smiles offer pediatric dentistry to help kids maintain healthy gums and teeth!

Compassionate Care

Pediatric dental staff have the right training for providing dental services to younger patients who may feel anxious during appointments. That helps kids stay calmer, whether they’re having a cleaning or getting dental sealants.

Comfortable Surroundings

Pediatric dental offices provide a welcoming environment that helps kids feel at home. Being in this kind of office helps ease their nerves, allowing them to remain relaxed during appointments.

Routine Dental Care for Healthier Baby and Permanent Teeth

Our pediatric dentistry in Hackensack, NJ, includes regular cleanings and exams. These are a necessary part of ensuring kids have healthy teeth or finding problems early and addressing them right away.

Education on Oral Care at Home

Pediatric dentists don’t just help kids keep their teeth healthy in the office. Dental visits are also a great time to get advice on making sure your kids learn good oral health habits at home, like brushing their teeth and flossing between their teeth every day.

Recommendations and Referrals for Other Care

Kids sometimes need braces or other care if they have problems with jaw development or their bite. Pediatric dentists can provide referrals and recommendations for orthodontic care or other specialized care as needed.

Set Up a Visit With Our Pediatric Dentists!

Do your kids need to have their teeth cleaned and examined? At State Street Smiles, we offer pediatric dentistry in Hackensack, NJ, to help ensure their teeth grow strong and healthy over the years!