General Dentistry/Implants/Aesthetic Dentistry/Orthodontic Dentistry/Pediatric Dentistry
It is widely said that decay-causing bacteria, periodontal disease and other dental problems are caused by parent-to-child infections (so-called childrearing contagion). For example, kissing or using the same spoon or chopsticks for mouth-to-mouth feeding of infants can raise the likelihood of such infection. Newborn babies, meanwhile, have no decay-generating bacteria in their mouths. Yet, such germs can be passed to them from fathers, mothers or other care providers. It is believed, therefore, that infants whose parents have numerous cavities are already at high risk of developing tooth decay themselves. Children are most susceptible to infection with decay-causing bacteria through the age of 3 – that is, until around the time that their baby molars have all come in. As a result, it is recommended that especially keen efforts be made to bring in children for regular checkups, as well as provide them with fluorine, Xylitol and other tooth decay prevention aids through that age.
It is now understood that proper preventative dental care from the childhood years can halt a large degree of tooth decay from occurring.
Setting our sights on eliminating tooth decay in children, we pursue treatment that does not involved grinding away teeth. It has been documented that when dentists force small children to undergo such treatment against their will, there are cases when this traumatizes children and renders them unable to tolerate treatment after reaching elementary school age.
With the exception of genuine emergencies, at our clinic we do not require any type of treatment for children. As a result, most of our young patients tell us they want to come back for further sessions after completing a visit.
Tooth decay is a preventable disease. Our motto is that when it comes to maintaining the health of children’s teeth, prevention comes before treatment!
For our clinic’s “Kids Club,” we perform regular checkups and preventative dental care for children. After each visit, children get their Kids Club stamp card stamped. When all the squares are full, they receive an enjoyable present.
We also offer consultations concerning pediatric dental care whenever the need arises. Please contact the clinic for further details on this service.
The Kids Club is covered under the public health insurance plan. Guardians with medical care ID cards for their babies and small children pay no fees under the insurance plan, meaning that this service is free to them. The only out-of-pocket cost is a ¥5,250 charge for saliva tests.
Xylitol – Potent Tooth Decay Prevention in Mothers and Infants Alike!
Mutans streptococcus bacterium, a pathogen responsible for tooth decay, is known to primarily absorb sugar as a nutrient. It then produces acids that act to dissolve teeth. Xylitol mistakes mutans streptococcus for sugar and absorbs it. Because this prevents acids from being generated, the result is effectiveness in reducing tooth decay. Mutans streptococcus is present in food particles, and with the passage of time causes highly adhesive “plaque” to form on the teeth.
Xylitol also acts on the mutans streptococcus lurking inside such plaque, loosening the plaque buildup so that it is easily removed with normal brushing. In Finland, a country known for highly advanced preventative medicine, tooth decay prevention programs using Xylitol are widely adopted.
In fact, the consuming of Xylitol several times daily has become a widely followed practice among the Finnish people. The volume of Xylitol to be consumed, meanwhile, varies by the degree of tooth decay risk for the individual involved.
At our clinic, we develop Xylitol programs for individual patients, using that as one phase of our tooth decay prevention plans. Please don’t hesitate to consult with us on this approach as well.
There are cases when providing orthodontic treatment to children during their jaw growth years makes it possible to improve future bite and facial balance.
When discovering symptoms of “underbite” (protruding lower jaw), “overbite” (protruding upper jaw), “open bite” (poor front teeth alignment smoothly when biting down) and other cases, please drop in for a consultation as soon as possible. During the years until the permanent teeth are in place (normally the elementary school years), it is easier to adopt procedures aimed at preventing abnormal bite and achieving proper dental alignment in the future.
With orthodontic treatment in the adult years, it is impossible to move the overall jaw shape or bone. In the case of children, however, the fact that their jaws are still growing enables treatment to correct the balance of the jaw and the bite.
Even when pediatric orthodontic treatment is provided, there are cases when further corrections become necessary after the patient reaches adulthood. However, there are also numerous examples when, by controlling the size balance between the upper and lower jaws, as well as the balance between the teeth and jaw during childhood, it is possible to minimize the scope of required corrections in alignment when the patient becomes an adult (and jaw growth is complete). Therefore, please feel free to consult with us about any anxieties you have regarding your child’s bite, jaw balance or other concerns.
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