According to one report, about 42% of kids aged two to 11 get dental cavities.
You are aware of the importance of good oral hygiene habits. So, you brush your toddler’s teeth thoroughly two times a day. You are not giving him any candies or sugary drinks and his diet is overall balanced and healthy. So, why does he keep getting cavities?
Great place. Dr Thoms was wonderful, and checked in later in the day to see how I was doing—despite being about to catch a flight, he wanted to make sure I was alright. The nurses were lovely and very accommodating. Thanks for making my wisdom teeth removal under anesthesia so “painless”!
My dental appointment was absolutely amazing! Dr. Behl and Laina performed a thorough examination and cleaning! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We appreciate your feedback and are glad you had a positive experience.
I highly recommend the Dental Anesthesia Center. The best dental care, knowledgeable, efficient, state of the art facilities, friendly, painless, AWESOME! Laina is my hygienist and she is very thorough!! Dr Hoffmann has always done my dental work and he is truly amazing, I never feel a thing!
Response from the owner:Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind review! I'm glad to hear that you have had such a pleasant experience!
The Dental Anesthesia Center
Dr. Hoffman and his staff are very good at making the experience for my special needs son, as easy and non stressful as possible for him. It's not easy handling him sometimes but Dr. Hoffman has compassion and grace towards my son and takes his time and doesn't rush thru. I appreciate him and his staff as always and highly recommend this office especially when you need that extra care with dental needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation. We appreciate your trust in our team and are grateful to be part of providing a positive experience for families in our care.
We had a very positive experience with Dental Anesthesia Center. Dr. Thoms and his entire staff were kind, patient, and understanding throughout the entire process. My child has special needs, and as an anxious mom, I truly appreciated how compassionate and reassuring everyone was.
We were referred to Dr. Thoms by our child’s dentist, and they took the time to explain everything while genuinely wanting to do what was best for my son. Communication was excellent throughout the procedure, which helped ease a lot of my anxiety. The office staff, including the ladies who handled the payment process, were just as kind and helpful, and I never felt pressured when discussing treatment or costs.
The cost was more than we anticipated and definitely an unexpected expense, but my child’s needs always come first. Most importantly, my son seemed very comfortable afterward, did not appear to be in pain, and was eating an hour after the procedure.
I don’t give perfect scores lightly, but I would absolutely recommend Dr. Thoms and his team to other families, especially parents of children with special needs.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review and kind words. We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide care and appreciate you trusting our team. Wishing you and your family all the best!
The first thing that you need to know is that it’s not unusual. According to one report, about 42% of kids aged two to 11 get dental cavities. It happens so often that cavities are more common than conditions like asthma. Lack of proper oral hygiene, as well as an unhealthy diet, play an important role. However, that’s not the full picture.
How Babies and Toddlers Get Cavities
There is a group of bacteria called streptococcus mutans. The bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that affects the structure of the teeth. It also creates plaque that erodes the teeth even more, depleting it from calcium. In time, the surface of the teeth is affected and eventually collapses. That’s when you get a cavity.
Babies are born without these bacteria but get infected by their caregivers (most often their mother.) Whenever you are kissing your baby on the mouth, eating with the same spoon or letting him use your toothbrush, you are creating opportunities for the bacteria to populate his mouth. And, if you have cavities yourself, then the chances of passing these bacteria on to them increases considerably.
What You Can Do
The first thing you need to do is to make sure that your toddlers brush his teeth correctly. It can be difficult for babies to understand the concept of cavities and why they need to brush. It’s also uncomfortable for them when someone sticks something into their mouth for no apparent reason. So, try to make brushing as fun as possible.
Here are some ideas:
Sing a song and dance while you are brushing
Let them brush the toy’s teeth first
Let them brush their teeth by himself. Praise him for a good job then tell him that you are just going to make sure that he didn’t miss anything.
It’s Never too Soon to Visit a Dentist
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Association (AAPD) recommends that babies see a dentist by their first birthday. If you wait too long, tooth decay may be well on its way and more difficult to prevent. If you haven’t already, then schedule an appointment with your St. Louis pediatric dentist as soon as possible. They can help you understand what you need to know about how to care for your kid’s pearly whites.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
