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 WORD OF MOUTH Summer 2013 |
 Greetings!Summer is upon us! We would like to wish all our patients and their families a very safe and enjoyable season! Just a quick reminder that summer appointments fill up very quickly, so it is not recommended to wait until the end of the season to try and fit those dental exams in before school starts.
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" Why fix baby teeth?"
One of the questions that we are sometimes asked is, "Why do you need to fix baby teeth? Aren't they just going to fall out anyway?"
Primary (baby teeth) are an important part of the growing child's general health and welfare. Most children will have primary teeth in their mouth until the age of 11 or 12. When decayed teeth are not restored (fixed), the decay can spread, involving the pulp (nerve) of the teeth.  Once this occurs, the teeth can become abscessed. These abscesses can develop into severe infections or cellulitis. Such infections can damage the developing permanent teeth, destroy supporting bone (jaw) structures and in some cases, spread through the body by blood and lymph system to affect other body organs.
Even small amounts of decay between the teeth can affect the developing occlusion (bite). This loss of tooth structure can cause teeth to shift, resulting in space loss; potentially leading to future orthodontic problems.
When we see decay in the primary teeth, we discuss with the parent(s)the best course of action to restore the affected tooth (teeth). If a tooth is not restorable, we will recommend extraction, and in many cases, the fabrication of a space maintainer to, later, allow room for the permanent tooth to erupt. |
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Baseball, basketball, La Crosse, soccer, volleyball, dodge ball, tennis, skiing,  horseback riding, softball, swimming, diving, boating, football, cheerleading, wrestling, playing tag, trampolines, bicycles, scooters, playgrounds, jumping on the bed, skateboards, roller skates, heelies, jumping rope, horseplay, running, walking, skipping, hopping, tripping, and even brothers and sisters heads...
These are all examples of things that could potentially cause an injury to children, teenagers and/or adults. Accidents happen... For this reason, it is important to know what to do if they occur.
 Teeth and soft tissues can sustain a variety of injuries. Teeth injuries can involve the enamel, dentin, and/or pulp. Soft tissue injuries can affect the gum tissue, tongue, and cheeks. Even if it appears the injury only damaged one tooth, other teeth can be affected, along with the jaw. Swelling and the inability to open the mouth are signs of a traumatic oral injury. The most important thing to do, if your child has an oral injury is to call our office. Our doctors can be reached on a 24-hour basis. It is extremely important to have the oral injury evaluated as soon as possible to determine the extent of the injury and what care would be appropriate to treat it.
A great way to prevent traumatic mouth injuries in children, teenagers and young adults is to wear a mouth guard during all sporting activities. This includes both  contact and non-contact sports. Mouth guards cover the top and sides of the teeth and act as a cushion when there is a blow to the face. Mouth guards can and should be wore even if your child has braces. There are many different types of mouth guards: custom and stock being the main two. We can consult with you about the best choice for your child. |
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We would like to encourage our patients & parents to familiarize themselves with  their insurance benefits. If you know what your insurance benefits consist of, that will enable you to get the most out of that insurance policy. The costs of insurance coverage continues to skyrocket, so consider what you are paying for your insurance and what you are getting out of it. Our business office does its best to assist you in finding out what those benefits are and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. However, we have thousands of patients, all with different insurance carriers, policies, coverage percentages, deductibles, exceptions and limitations. It is in your best interest to be pro-active when it comes to those insurance benefits. If our office can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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REMINDER: Dental Exams for School
All children starting kindergarten, second, and sixth grades are required under Illinois School Code to have dental exams. Generally the schools will hand out the forms during registration, however, if you do not have the form yet, our office has the forms and we can complete them during your child's next dental visit. Please don't wait until the end of the summer to schedule your child's exam as appointment times are filling up quickly. |
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 THANK YOU!
THANK YOU for referring your friends' and families' children to our practice. We appreciate the trust and confidence you have in us! |
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 Please Don't Be Bashful
If you have any questions regarding pediatric dental health, please feel free to contact us by phone: 847-726-0300 or by e-mail: info@childrensdentistrygroup.com.
If you have a family member or friend with a child, please feel free to forward this newsletter to them.
Paul D. Herer, D.M.D., M.S. ● Melissa J. Patenio, D.D.S., M.S. ● Leila C. Younger, D.D.S., M.S.
Diplomates: American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
195 S. Rand Road, Suite 110
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
(847)726-0300 ● Fax: (847)726-3799
www.childrensdentistrygroup.com
   
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