Tooth decay is the #1 chronic childhood illness, so scheduling your child’s first dentist visit early is crucial for preventing cavities. Seeing the dentist early on in life will also help your child get used to the idea of taking care of their teeth and gums. Our pediatric dentists want to help your child build a strong foundation for oral health. They do this by talking to your child about their oral health in a way they understand. Our entire team also goes above and beyond to make sure your child always feels comfortable and safe.

The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating, and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics say that every child should visit a dentist by age 1 or as soon as the first tooth appears.

HOW DO I PREPARE MY CHILD FOR THEIR FIRST DENTIST VISIT ?

You want to make sure your child feels as comfortable and safe as possible. The best way to do this is to remain calm and avoid using any words that may frighten your child. It’s important that you set an example for your child and act relaxed and even excited about going to the dentist. They will pick up on your positive outlook of the dentist and probably react similarly.

What to expect from the first visit :

This session more of an informative and interactive session wherein the child is being taken for a tour around the dental clinic and he’s made familiar with the environment, secondly, parents are given facts about the teeth and it’s surrounding tissues along with techniques that enable them to maintain good oral health for their children and themselves.

1. Take Your Child With You on Your Dental Visit
2. Watch Videos and Read Books About Dentist Visits
3. Pick a Time That Works for Your Child, Younger children tend to do better in the morning.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement

It’s normal for your child to be nervous or anxious before a dental visit. Let them know it’s okay to be nervous, but praise them for being brave. You Need to Be Positive About the Dentist. Even if you don’t like the dentist, refrain from talking about any dental anxiety around your children even if it is with someone else. Bring his/her favorite toy

Answer any questions your child has. Avoid words like shot, pain, needle, or hurt even if you say it won’t hurt. Your child will hear that word.

Why are Baby teeth important ?

“Why do baby teeth matter? They fall out anyway, right?”

We hear this question on a daily basis at the dental clinic. The truth is that baby teeth DO matter!

Primary teeth, or baby teeth, are very important to a child’s physical, emotional, and social development. Here are five reasons why baby teeth should be taken care of just as we take care of our permanent (adult) teeth.

Tooth alignment and position – The primary teeth save space for the adult teeth and guide the adult teeth into their proper position. If the baby tooth is lost early due to tooth decay, the adjacent teeth tend to drift or tip into that space. Therefore, the permanent tooth has less room to come in and can be blocked from erupting into that space.

Healthy permanent teeth – The permanent teeth develop very close to the roots of the baby teeth. Baby teeth are much smaller and cavities can spread very quickly through their thin enamel. If cavities are left untreated, the baby tooth can develop and infection or abscess which can hinder tooth development and cause damage to the permanent tooth underneath.

Proper health and nutrition – Teeth, of course, are needed for chewing. Dental pain from cavities can lead to nutritional deficiencies if the child is not able to properly chew their food. Also, if cavities are left untreated, there is a great risk of an infection forming. And this infection can spread to other areas of the body and even to the brain. This can turn into an emergency situation very rapidly and the child may need to be hospitalized. Unfortunately, there have been reported cases where children have died from a dental abscess.

Speech and facial development – The tongue, lips, and cheeks deflect off teeth when forming sounds. The presence and proper positioning of baby teeth assist in the formation of correct pronunciation during speech. The tooth structure also provides support for the developing facial muscles and gives shape to your child’s face.

Concentration and self-esteem – If a child is having dental pain, it can greatly affect their ability to pay attention and learn in school. Decayed teeth can also interfere with a child’s social interactions and affect their confidence and self-esteem. This can also lead to children missing school and parents having to miss work if they have to take children to the dentist for emergency appointments.

The bottom line: Teaching your child to develop good oral care habits with their primary teeth is very important! These early habits will help them keep those permanent teeth healthy for life!

Together, we’ll achieve and maintain your best smile !

Dental implants are the only long-term solution that allows you to eat, speak, and smile just like you would with a natural, full set of teeth. One of the major benefits of dental implants is being able to eat all your favorite foods with zero pain.

Dental implants fuse with the jawbone and act as tooth roots, providing stimulation to the bone and support to the teeth. Among the many benefits of dental implants, improved ability to eat is one enjoyed most by our patients at Pearl Dental clinic Dubai.

Dental implants allow for patients to retain 90% of their chewing ability vs. dentures which retain only 20% of chewing ability. What this means in practical terms is that most patients with dental implants are able to eat most anything that can be cut with a fork. But in order to get to that exciting stage of your dental implant journey, it’s important to follow our post-procedure food guidelines.

Can I Eat Immediately After Dental Implant Surgery ?

About an hour after dental implant surgery, you may remove the gauze sponges that have been placed in your mouth and have something to eat. Depending on the scope of your surgery, a liquid diet may be ideal for the first few days following the procedure. Avoid using a straw for at least a few days — the pressure from using a straw may disrupt the healing process.
• For the first 24 to 48 hours, consume only cool liquids.
• Avoid hot foods and drinks for several hours after surgery.
• Do not drink through a straw or use a water bottle that requires suctions for at least 2 weeks.If you’ve had a sinus exposure or bone grafting, this is extended to 1 month.

Try sticking with:

• Water
• Soup broth (extremely hot liquids may cause inflammation and pain)
• Milkshakes and liquid meal replacements
• Juice, milk and coffee/tea (not too hot)

A liquid diet might be nutritious, but it might not be particularly satisfying! There is a wide range of soft foods that you are welcome to enjoy after your dental implant placement. These foods include:

• • Soft fruits (bananas, mangoes and peaches are great choices)
  • Tender pasta (macaroni and cheese is a particular favorite)
  • Steamed vegetables, apple sauce and hummus
  • Creamy soups (don’t shy away from additives like noodles, beans and other healthy options)
  • Protein (think eggs and soft seafood over something like beef)

Broadly speaking, it’s hard to go wrong with a good variety of soups, plenty of water and a suitable amount of steamed vegetables.

What Foods Should I Avoid Eating After Dental Implant Surgery ?

There are a number of foods you’ll want to avoid after dental implant placement surgery. Eating the wrong type of food after surgery may impact the healing process.

Do your best to avoid:

• Alcohol of all types. Alcohol may interfere with your prescribed medications and irritate the tissue surrounding your dental implants.
• Tough, stringy or chewy foods.
• Food with seeds or food that crumbles easily. Seeds and small bits of crunchy foods may get stuck in the dental implant site and disrupt the healing process.
• Corn on the cob
• Gums and Hard candy
• Steaming, hot foods

WHY DO I NEED TO AVOID CERTAIN FOODS DURING THE HEALING PHASE?

Healing Implants – Chewy foods, such as steak, or foods that require force to bite into, such as an apple, can cause too much pressure to be applied to implants in the healing process. After they’ve fully bound to the jawbone, they’ll be ready to withstand the pressure of most foods.
Acrylic teeth – You will be fitted with acrylic teeth for temporary use until your implants have healed. The acrylic material is ideal for custom fitting and adjustments, but can’t hold up under great pressure. Hard and chewy foods can cause acrylic teeth to break. After your healing phase, you will be fitted with Zirconia teeth that can handle much greater chewing force.
Gaps – During the healing process the shape of your gums will transform slightly, creating small gaps between the acrylic teeth and your gums. Food with small, loose pieces such as popcorn are at risk of getting stuck and causing infection. Once your implants have fully fused to your jawbone, your gum line will likely remain consistent and your Zirconia teeth will be custom-fitted without gaps.

When can I have normal diet ?

Once all phases of dental implant treatment are complete and the restorations are in place, patients will be able to eat all types of foods. Dental implants will improve patient comfort so the foods that were too difficult to eat after tooth loss occurred, including nuts, apples, chips, and popcorn, can be consumed again. Most tooth loss treatments require special care and diet restrictions to prolong their lifespan.

Dental implants are the only dental restoration that allows patients to enjoy eating the way they did when they had their natural teeth.

Questions? Contact Our Office Today!

Tooth loss can compromise the strength, health, and beauty of the smile. Dental implants replace missing teeth with durable restorations that function just like the natural teeth. If you have suffered tooth loss and would like to know if dental implants are right for you, contact us at your earliest convenience to set up a consultation with Dr. Mahmood Alrayes

Catching Problems Early for a Healthy Future
Imagine identifying and addressing a potential issue before it becomes a larger problem. That is the usefulness of early orthodontic evaluation. By age seven, most children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth that have erupted, giving orthodontists a valuable window to assess jaw growth, bite alignment, and potential issues like crowding or spacing.

Early detection allows for intervention when the jawbone is still shapeable. Simpler, less invasive treatments are more suitable than waiting until all the permanent teeth emerge while the jawbone has developed.

Benefits of Early Intervention
Simpler Treatments: Early intervention often involves gentler methods, like spacers or guidance appliances, to create space for erupting teeth or gently nudge them into proper alignment. These can be much more comfortable for your child than complex braces later.

Reduced Treatment Time: Addressing issues early can significantly reduce overall treatment time. This minimizes the impact on your child’s appearance and reduces the cost and duration of orthodontic care.

Improved Speech and Chewing: Misaligned teeth can sometimes affect speech clarity or make chewing difficult. Early intervention can help ensure proper development of the jaw and muscles, leading to improved speech and chewing function.

Boosted Confidence: A beautiful, healthy smile can significantly increase a child’s self-esteem and confidence. Early orthodontic treatment can help ensure your child has a smile they’re proud to show off.

Reduced Risk of Future Complications: Left untreated, some orthodontic problems can lead to complications like jaw pain, gum disease, or even tooth loss in the future. Early intervention can help prevent these issues from developing.

What to Expect During an Early Orthodontic Evaluation ?
An early orthodontic evaluation is a relaxed and informative experience for you and your child.

Here’s what you can expect

Detailed Examination: The orthodontist will thoroughly examine your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw structure, using X-rays or photographs to get a complete picture of their oral development.

Discussion of Concerns: Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health. The orthodontist will listen attentively and provide clear explanations.

Treatment Plan (if needed): If there are any potential issues, the orthodontist will discuss treatment options and create a personalized plan based on your child’s needs and developmental stage. This plan could involve monitoring, early intervention with appliances, or recommendations for future treatment when all permanent teeth have erupted.

Early Evaluation, Not Just for Braces: It is important to remember that early evaluation is not solely about recommending braces. Sometimes, monitoring early growth patterns or addressing habits like thumb-sucking can make a significant difference. The goal is to ensure healthy jaw development and proper tooth alignment for a beautiful, functional smile.

Who will Benefit Most from Early Evaluation ?
While all children can benefit from an early orthodontic evaluation, some would require it sooner than others. Here are some signs to watch for

At Pearl Dental Clinic, we understand the importance of early orthodontic intervention. Our team of experienced and friendly orthodontists is passionate about creating beautiful, healthy smiles for children of all ages. We offer a comfortable environment and utilize the latest technology to ensure a positive experience for your child. Our team includes experienced pediatric dentists in Dubai who can provide overall oral health to your child from a young age.

Don’t wait any longer. Give your child the gift of a healthy smile – contact Pearl Dental Clinic today!

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting.
Crowding or spacing of teeth
Misaligned bite (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
Protruding teeth
Persistent habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
If you notice any of these signs in your child, schedule an early consultation with an orthodontist in Dubai.