How Long Does it Take For Baby Teeth to Fall Out?

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Is the Tooth Fairy sitting idly by while your child’s baby teeth refuse to budge? Is your wallet bulging with fresh one dollar bills or silver dollars, just waiting to find their way under your child’s pillow? Watching your child lose their baby teeth is an exciting milestone, but it can also leave parents wondering – how long does this process actually take? For some parents, the process may feel interminable. But rest assured, they will fall out eventually, when they’re good and ready. On average, children start losing their baby teeth around age 6, and the process continues until about age 12.

The Timeline for Tooth Loss

Did you know that baby teeth usually fall out in the same order they came in? This little fun fact can be a fun way to try to predict which of the baby teeth will fall out next. The front teeth are typically the first to go, making way for permanent teeth around age 6 or 7. The molars and canines are the last to leave the nest, often not falling out until ages 10 to 12. If your child’s teeth aren’t following this admittedly very general timeline, it’s a good idea to have a pediatric dental exam in Victorville, CA, though.

Why the Process Takes Years

Teeth fall out gradually to ensure the jaw grows properly and there’s enough space for adult teeth. If everything happened at once, there wouldn’t be enough room for the new teeth to align correctly. This slow, natural process gives the jaw time to develop and helps prevent crowding. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing!

Losing baby teeth is part of growing up, and while it can feel like a long process, it’s all happening for a reason. If you have any other questions about your child’s oral health, contact your Victorville, CA pediatric dentist today!

What is Periodontal Treatment for Gingivitis

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Patients who have been diagnosed with gum diseases, including gingivitis, may be good candidates for periodontal treatment. At A. Paul S. Bell, DDS Inc., our dental services include periodontal treatment for gingivitis in Victorville, CA. Learn more about periodontal treatment to see if you would qualify for this specialized type of dental cleaning and exam.

What is Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis

Periodontal treatment is a specialized and more advanced level of care for dental patients who are diagnosed with incurable oral diseases, including gingivitis. When in an advanced stage, gingivitis leads to periodontal disease, which causes bleeding and receding gums.

The disease progresses over time without a cure, eventually causing the patient to lose teeth due to a lack of gum tissue. However, with periodontal treatment for gum disease, patients can reduce the loss of gum tissue and save their teeth from falling out.

How Periodontal Treatment Helps

Patients suffering from periodontal disease should seek periodontal treatment. This treatment involves more frequent, routine dental exams and more advanced dental work. Services included in periodontal disease treatment include:

  • Root planning to reduce plaque and bacteria under the gum line
  • Waterpik treatments to eliminate matter from between tightly packed teeth
  • Thorough cleaning

We provide comprehensive periodontal treatment and examinations at Paul S. Bell, DDS, Inc. We start with a complete dental exam and check-up to see if you are suffering from gingivitis or another type of gum disease. If you suffer from symptoms like bleeding gums or loosened teeth, contact us for an appointment.

Choose Periodontal Treatment for Gum Disease in Victorville, CA

Call 760-245-8684 to schedule an appointment with A. Paul S. Bell, DDS, Inc.. We offer periodontal treatment for periodontal disease, gingivitis, and other forms of gum disease.

How Food Choices Affect Oral Health

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Dental cleanings in Victorville CA are an important part of your child’s oral health. However, the habits your child develops at home play a much larger role in determining whether your child will develop tooth decay and other common oral health issues. Your child looks to you as an example when it comes to brushing, flossing, and consuming a healthy diet.

The American Dental Association Weights in on Diet and Oral Health

According to the ADA, nutrition and diet play a direct role in the health of your child’s teeth and gums. The foods and beverages your child consumes affect tissues in the mouth, and the consumption of sugar has a direct relationship to tooth decay.

The ADA also states that regular intake of acidic foods and drinks erodes the enamel of your child’s teeth. The amount of sugary and acidic foods and beverages your child consumes matters just as much as the frequency when it comes to the development of tooth decay.

Good and Bad Food Options for Oral Health

Dr. A. Paul S. Bell understands that getting children to eat healthily can be a never-ending battle. You cannot always control what your child consumes outside the home, but you can choose the meals and snacks available to them inside your home.

Some of the best options you can offer your child to promote good oral health include aged cheeses, milk, chicken, nuts, and crunchy vegetables. Water is the ideal beverage, especially since it contains fluoride.

Foods you want to limit or avoid in your home include candy, cookies, cake, bread, dried fruit, bananas, granola bars, and French fries. These foods all have large amounts of carbohydrates and sugar that break down in your child’s mouth.

We would be happy to provide additional nutrition guidance during your child’sdental cleaning in Victorville CA.

Root Canal Victorville, CA

Endodontic Treatment – How Can it Help Me?

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Oral pain is one of the most important signs of distress that your body can offer. Dental care is extremely important not just to eliminate bad breath and cavities but to preserve your overall health.

The professional team at A Paul S Bell, DDS Inc. is proud to serve the local community with premium dental care services, including endodontics, which goes a step beyond to best care for your teeth, gums, and health.

What are Endodontics?

Endodontics is an important aspect of your oral care, as it has to do with the inner workings of your teeth and their structure. The most common endodontic treatment is root canal treatment, which is not to be confused with a common procedure for root canal extraction. Root canal treatment can alleviate pain and even alleviate pain to preserve as much of your tooth as possible without removing it.

Your natural teeth are much stronger than any artificial teeth, even with current advancements, so the best dentists will always find a way to save as much of it as possible.

What Can I Expect From an Endodontic Appointment?

Dental care teams that are trained in endodontic treatment are highly specialized, so you can be confident you are getting the best care. Here are some things you can expect from your visit:

Comprehensive Examination 

The team will take comprehensive images, including digital X-rays, to analyze the situation and identify the extent of the problems.

Painless Anesthesia and Access Opening

If required, the dentist will apply local anesthesia to make the entire procedure painless. Your dental care professional will create a small opening to access the pulp chamber.

Pulp Removal and Cleaning

Your dentist will remove the entirety of the infection and damage and clean the inside thoroughly to ensure that the infection doesn’t return. Remember to follow aftercare instructions.

Your Local Quality Dentist

Endodontic care is a large part of your overall health, and if you are experiencing tooth pain – it’s time to see a professional. During your next appointment with the adept team atA Paul S Bell, DDS Inc., you can rest assured that you are getting the best care and guidance you and your family deserve.

3 Things to Know About the Onesies Program at A Paul S Bell, DDS Inc.

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The staff at A Paul S Bell, DDS Inc. treats a variety of young patients all the way up to young adulthood. Our team has won multiple awards for our efforts because we focus on prevention over all else. When it’s so important for everyone to get the care they need to avoid major dental problems down the road, including gum disease and tooth loss, our staff has initiated several programs to improve access to children from all backgrounds.

What Is the Onesies Program?

The Onesies program is a way for our staff to provide early childhood prevention to everyone in our communities. Our outreach ensures everyone, including the underserved and those with special needs, won’t have to live the rest of their lives plagued by one dental problem after another. Different families are all going to struggle with different problems. The point of the programs at A Paul S Bell, DDS Inc., is to speak to those individual needs in a more effective way.

Dr. Bell is a dentist in Victorville, CA, who has worked hard to solidify his influence in the community. From a fellowship in the American Society of Dentistry for Children and the Academy of General Dentistry to his relationships and privileges at St. Mary’s Hospital, he’s been a force of change for families across the Victorville region.

Early Dental Prevention in Victorville, CA

If you’re looking for a dentist who specializes in general dentistry in Victorville, CA, contact our office today to learn more about our programs and services. It’s our goal to help everyone find a path toward dental care. From cleanings to emergency treatments, we’re proactive about finding ways to give our patients exactly what they need.

8 Foods and Drinks That Brighten Your Teeth  

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Most people believe a healthy, white smile is essential, not only for their own peace of mind, but also for career and social reasons. Of course, you can always ask your dentist in Victorville, CA to give you a tooth whitening treatment. But did you know there are things you can do that will help prevent your teeth from staining in the first place? No, we are not talking about avoiding foods that stain your teeth, although that works too. But rather we are talking about foods and drinks that actually brighten your teeth.

Eight Foods and Drinks that Brighten Your Teeth

You can use any of these foods to help keep your teeth white and bright in between your tooth whitening treatments in Victorville, CA.

1. Strawberries

Strawberries contain malic acid that works like a natural astringent to help remove surface stains.

2. Pineapples

Pineapples contain the enzyme bromelain, and it works like a natural stain remover. It also helps break up plaque on your teeth as well.

3. Apples

Apples are good for you in a number of ways. But since apples are crunchy, they work like a natural abrasive and will help keep your teeth clean.

4. Orange Peels

Orange peels are the part of the orange that is not acidic. So you can use orange peels to help whiten your teeth. Simply wash the orange peels thoroughly then rub the inner white part of the peel across your teeth. This will help minimize tartar and plaque buildup.

5. Celery

Just like apples, celery is crunchy. It’s not only crunchy, but it will also help create extra saliva in your mouth. This will help keep plaque stains from sticking to your teeth.

6. Broccoli

Broccoli, if eaten raw, is crunchy and as you chew the broccoli florets, they work like a toothbrush and help clean your teeth naturally. Additionally, broccoli is high in iron, which coats your tooth enamel and helps prevent stains, bacteria, and acid erosion.

7. Cheese

Cheese contains protein, calcium, and phosphorus which help repair and remineralize your teeth. Additionally, cheese will also help buffer the acids in your mouth.

8. Water

Yep, you read that right…water! Water helps whiten your teeth, keeps you hydrated, and helps keep stains from forming on your teeth. Water helps lower the overall acidity in your mouth, which helps reduce the chances of you damaging your tooth enamel. So after you are finished eating, take a swig of water and swish it around your mouth. However, this only applies to flat water. Sparkling water will increase the chances of eroding your tooth enamel.

 

What Is Maxillofacial Surgery?

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Maxillofacial surgery might sound intimidating, but it simply refers to procedures that are designed to treat the face, neck, head, mouth, teeth, or gums. A surgeon in this field will have advanced training on how to diagnose, manage, and treat these complex diseases or injuries that impact any of the core areas.

You might be surprised to learn just how many young people require maxillofacial services. The right dentist in Victorville, CA can make all the difference in terms of adult oral health. Learn more about how it works, when it’s needed, and who you can turn to for help.

How Maxillofacial Surgery Works

This speciality is one that’s recognized by the American Dental Association, and typically reserved for advanced conditions that require speciality education. A surgeon’s experience includes four years of dental school and an additional 4-6 years of training. These extra years are pivotal to give them an understanding of this complex field of study.

When It’s Needed

Maxillofacial surgery in Victorville, CA is typically needed for:

  • Impacted teeth extractions
  • Cleft palates/lip
  • Corrective jaw surgery
  • Facial reconstruction
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Implants
  • Joint alignments
  • Gum tissue removal
  • Oral tumor removals or biopsies
  • Airway reconstruction

Children and teens may require this type of surgery if they suffer from sleep apnea or if they’ve gone through a recent trauma (e.g., a car accident, etc). These are procedures that can not only help people breathe better, but also stave off any number of more complex health disorders in the future.

Visit a Dentist in Victorville, CA

  1. Paul S. Bell, D.D.S. Inc. is a pediatric dentist who specializes in children, teens, and young adults, and he’s seen just how much the right surgical procedure can change someone’s life. If you’re interested in finding out more about these procedures, contact our office today.

Benefits of Dental Sealant For Children

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If you have children, you know the many struggles that can come regarding the treatment of cavities. Since most kids tend to not enjoy visiting a dentist to get a cavity filled, dental sealants may be the answer. If you’re ready to find out how, here are some ways dental sealants in Victorville benefit children.

Prevent Cavities

First and foremost, dental sealants can be a great way to prevent cavities from forming in your child’s teeth. Should your child be like other kids and consume various foods that are high in sugar, this increases the likelihood they will develop cavities. By using dental sealants in Victorville, these will limit bacterial growth in their mouth, prevent pitting and fissures on teeth, and thus lead to few if any cavities being able to form.

Easy to Apply

If you want to see a child squirm while seated, watch them do so when sitting in a dentist’s chair. However, when getting sealants applied to their teeth, they won’t have time to do much squirming, since dental sealants only take mere minutes to apply. Best of all, there is generally no pain or discomfort associated with the applying of dental sealants, which will make your child’s dental visit even more pleasant.

Reduced Dental Costs

Even if you have dental insurance, trip after trip to the dentist to get cavities filled can eventually start to get expensive. By relying instead on dental sealants, dental costs for your child are significantly lowered. In doing so, you can then focus more on preventive care, rather than always having a crisis such as a cavity.

If you believe your child would be an excellent candidate for dental sealants, make an appointment soon to speak with your child’s dentist in Victorville. Once you do, you may discover even more ways dental sealants can benefit your child’s oral health.

5 Possible Reasons For Bleeding Gums

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If you’ve started to notice the presence of blood following the brushing of your teeth, there’s no need to panic. However, it’s also something you shouldn’t ignore. If you want to learn if it’s something simple that you can take care of yourself, or if you need to schedule a visit with your dentist, here are five possible reasons for bleeding gums.

1. Gingivitis

The first stage of gum disease, gingivitis occurs when plaque on your gum line and teeth is not removed by brushing and flossing and is characterized by tender and swollen gums that bleed during brushing. By seeking dental treatment, the situation can be reversed.

2. Medications

If you are taking blood-thinning medications, these can also cause your gums to bleed. Should this be occurring, contact your dentist and physician to let them know what is happening. Should the bleeding become worse, visit your physician as soon as possible.

3. Changes in Dental Routine

If you are new to flossing or perhaps are using a new toothbrush with very firm bristles, these changes in your dental routine may cause your gums to bleed. Usually, the bleeding stops within a week or two. If it doesn’t, visit your dentist.

4. Brushing Too Hard

If you have a habit of brushing and flossing your teeth very vigorously, you may be causing your gums to bleed. Along with using a slightly lesser touch on your teeth when brushing, you may also want to switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush.

5. Pregnancy

Should you be pregnant, the hormonal changes your body is experiencing can inflame your gums and cause what’s known as “pregnancy gingivitis.” As with anything else related to your pregnancy, make your dentist and doctor aware of this as soon as possible.

If your bleeding gums have worsened, don’t hesitate to contact us today to book your appointment.

 

Safeguard Your Child’s Teeth With These Tips  

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Your pediatric dentist in Victorville wants you to know that you can help safeguard your child’s teeth for a lifetime with a few simple tips. Learning these oral hygiene habits during childhood can instill good habits for a lifetime. And, your Victorville children’s dentist can also offer some treatments that can help prevent cavities and other problems.

Visit the Children’s Dentist Early

According to the American Dental Association, your child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist should be within six months of the time that your child’s first tooth makes an appearance. However, even if that milestone hasn’t occurred, visit the children’s dentist no later than your chid’s first birthday. After that, you should bring your child in to see the dentist at least once every six months.

Get Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a treatment that gives your child’s teeth a protective layer against bacteria and cavities. They are painless and non-invasive, so there’s no reason not to get them. Talk to your pediatric dentist in Victorville for more details.

Offer Sugar Substitutes

Oral bacteria feed on sugar. The less sugar you give your child, the better their teeth will be. Remember that commercial fruit juices are laden with natural and added sugar, so flavored water is a better substitute. For instance, you could squeeze the juices of a quarter of a fresh orange into water to flavor it naturally and cut down on fructose. Skip the sugary snacks and opt for natural substitutes like carob over chocolate and bananas over candy bars.

Make Sure Fluoride is Included

Many towns across the U.S. don’t fluoridate their water. Find out if yours does. If not, your children’s dentist can provide fluoride treatments during office visits. Like dental sealants, fluoride treatments are non-invasive and pain-free.

To book your child’s next dental checkup, contact our pediatric dentist office today.

 

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