Read on for answers to frequently asked questions…

Some children may need dental care beginning with the eruption of their first tooth and some may need care more often than every six months. 

 The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:

 FROM BIRTH TO 6 MONTHS

 Clean the infant’s mouth with gauze after feedings and at bedtime

Consult the child’s pediatrician regarding fluoride supplements

Regulate feeding habits (bottle and breast feeding)

6 TO 12 MONTHS

First tooth should appear

Consult pediatric or general dentist for an examination and cleaning

Brush teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft bristled brush

Floss teeth when two teeth are side by side.

As child begins to walk, watch for dental or facial injuries

Wean the child from breast or bottle by their first birthday

12 TO 24 MONTHS

Dental examination and cleanings every six months

Brushing with a pea size portion of fluoridated toothpaste is recommended

36 MONTHS

Child should be learning how to brush their own teeth and should be brushing their own teeth by 4 years old

OTHER FACTS ABOUT BABY TEETH

Proper care of a child’s baby teeth is very important as they maintain the space for the future eruption of permanent teeth.  If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, due to decay or accident, the space necessary for the permanent tooth is lost and then is only maintained or regained by the use of an orthodontic appliance.   Infected baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to develop with stains or tooth decay susceptibility. 

Most children begin to lose their baby teeth around age 5 or 6, usually the front teeth first.  They continue to lose all their baby teeth by age 12-13 when all the permanent teeth have erupted. 

HELPFUL HINTS ABOUT DIET

1. Do not routinely stock your pantry with sugary or starchy snacks.  Allow sugar and starchy foods only at mealtime.

2. Limit the number of snack times and choose nutritious snacks.

3. Do not put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy-cup of milk, formula or juice.  Wean off bottle by age 1.

4. If your child chews gum or sips soda, choose those without sugar.

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Read more…

Junior Achievement’s (JA) purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.  JA is the world’s largest organization dedicated to educating students in grades K-12 about entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs offered in school and after school.

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Our Optimum Dental Wellness Plan is a reduced fee dental plan that allows individuals and families – just like yours – to receive quality dental services at prices that make sense in today’s economy. 

This Plan is designed to help eliminate problems before they happen and make caring for your oral health convenient and affordable.  Consistent, quality oral healthcare is essential to a beautiful, healthy smile!

Learn More…

From Baby Bottle to Cup

Tooth decay can occur as soon as a baby’s teeth appear.  One of the risk factors for early childhood caries (sometimes called “baby bottle tooth decay”) is frequent and prolonged exposure of a baby’s teeth to liquids containing sugar – including milk, formula, and fruit juice.

Because decay can destroy the teeth of an infant or young child, parents should encourage their children to drink from a cup by their first birthday. 

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Managing patients taking bisphosphonates is one of the greatest challenges facing the practice of dentistry today.  Bisphosphonates are used to treat osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, bone metastases, multiple myeloma, and other disorders that deal with bone fragility.  They have excellent results when used to treat osteoporosis, and they have become very popular at controlling this disease.  They can be taken orally or intravenously.  The majority of bisphosphonates are taken orally for osteoporosis.  In the last 5 years, reports have arisen regarding the connection between bisphosphonates and a rare but serious and untreatable side effect known as bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis (dead bone) of the jaws. 

Bisphosphonates remain in bone for a long time because they are not metabolized.  The half-life of Fosamax is reported to be greater than 10 years, but there are no reports on the half-lives of the IV bisphosphonates.  Researchers suggest that the half-life of IV bisphosphonates is just as long or longer than the oral form.  This is why just stopping the administration of the drug has little to no affect on the incidence of osteonecrosis.  The long term effect on bone is still unknown.

The majority of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis cases are from tooth extractions, but this can also occur with periodontal surgery, endodontic surgery, and implant placement.  However, some cases appear spontaneously with no history of jaw bone manipulation.    

No treatment has proven to be successful in treating bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis, and most patients never get rid of the disease.  The primary goal is to eliminate pain, control infection, and minimize progression of bone necrosis.  Patients who are at risk for bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis are advised to get educated about the disease process and its relationship to dental treatment. 

As the elderly population increases, so does the incidence of osteoporosis, meaning more and more bisphosphonate prescriptions will be written in the near future.   According to U.S. Census Bureau projections, a considerable increase in the number of elderly people will occur during the period from 2010 to 2030, after the first baby boomers turn 65 in 2011. 

The population of individuals over age 65 in 2030 is projected to be twice as much as in 2000, growing from 35 million to 72 million. The elderly population in 2030 is expected to represent nearly 20 percent of the total U.S. population.   The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that nearly 44 million people in the United States are at risk for developing osteoporosis, and currently, approximately 10 million Americans suffer from the disease.  The use of bisphosphonates in the future will definitely be on the rise, meaning the problem of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis is only going to become more frequent. 

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The main risk factors are chronic smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, with a male to female ratio of 6:1  Just recently, a new risk factor was thrown into the mix – the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).  It is now believed that 25-30% of oral cancer is related to HPV, moving the male to female ratio to 2:1.  What does this mean? – it means that everyone, young and old, male or female, is at risk – and everyone should see their dentist for an oral cancer screening at least once each year. 

To read the rest of this article, click here.

Canker Sores and Cold Sores – What’s the Difference and What to Do?

This is a question that arises quite often, and is usually followed by “how did I get them?” and then “how do I get rid of them?”  Sores in the mouth can be painful and annoying, and generally come at the most inopportune time – and for a reason as you’ll see. 

To read the rest of this article, click here.

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Visit Dr. Tom Dudney at Greystone Smile Design.  To schedule an appointment, call 205-433-9452.

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Birmingham, Alabama Cosmetic Dentist

Rick and Bubba

Greystone Smile Design is a state-of-the-art dental practice in the Greystone Cosmetic Center.  The office consists of cosmetic, family, and pediatric dental procedures behind the expertise of Dr. Trent Buchanan and Dr. Tom Dudney.  Services include tooth-colored fillings, teeth whitening, veneers, children’s dentistry, implants, dentures, teeth cleanings, root canals, and more.  It truly is an office for the entire family, and that’s something to smile about!

Dr. Buchanan is one of the most aspiring young dentists in the area.  He brings a wealth of knowledge in the fields of restorative dentistry, cosmetic procedures, and emergency treatment.  Dr. Buchanan recently completed the requirements for the prestigious Fellowship Award from the Academy of General Dentistry and will be recognized for his accomplishments at the July 2010 meeting in New Orleans.  Requirements consisted of 500 hours of approved continuing dental education and successul completion of a written examination.  Of the 140,000 dentist in the United States, only approximately 13,000 have earned this impressive honor.

Dr. Dudney, the present program director for the California Center of Advanced Dental Studies, brings an impressive resume relating to cosmetic dentistry.  He has maintained a successful private practice in Alabaster for almost 30 years and was recently featured on The Rick and Bubba Show for the “Fix Mama’s Mouth – Ultimate Mother’s Day Makeover” and ABC 33/40’s Extreme Makeover.  Dr. Dudney’s patients rave about their extraordinary results, but they claim it’s his kindness and caring attitude that sets him apart.

Greystone Smile Design prides itself on impeccable affability, caring availability, and advanced technology to make going to the dentist much more pleasurable.  Below is a list of services that make this “not your average dental office”:

• Extended hours on nights and weekends for your busy schedule
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Limited warranty on all major procedures
• Flat screen TVs in each treatment room for your enjoyment
• Payment Plans to help you get the treatment you deserve
• An anesthetic reversal agent so you’re not numb all day
• Intra-oral cameras for a virtual tour of your mouth
• Invisalign to straighten teeth without braces
• A new bleaching technique that is predictable and permanent
• Digital x-rays to reduce exposure to radiation

The ultimate goal at Greystone Smile Design is optimal oral health for life and creating lasting relationships in the process.  To schedule an appointment, fill out the form above or call 205-433-9452.

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Birmingham, Alabama Family Dentist