Pediatric dentistry florida

5 Benefits of Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

The Difference

Let’s face it – for some in past years visiting the dentist wasn’t the most fairy tale experience.  Put your mind to ease by selecting a multi award winning practice and the most loved pediatric dentist in Southwest Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates who are specially trained and board certified for treating pediatric patients.

While general dentists can perform the same work, visiting a pediatric dentist provides a slew of extra benefits:

Office Decor 

We’ve got fun just about everywhere you look! From video games, to community initiatives and educational lobby experiences for children of all ages to enjoy!

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Better Training

Kids aren’t always the most cooperative of patients.  A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school solely focused on treating young patients.

In the additional training, the focus is on child psychology, growth/development, and learning all of the tips and tricks of the trade for examining and treating children.

Specialized Treatment

In the circumstance that your child needs more comprehensive dental treatment, pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle special needs and to children with extensive dental treatment needs.

Oral Health Care Education

Since Pediatric Dentistry of Florida’s staff work solely with kids,  we know how to engage in educational learning.  Even more, we have props and teaching tools that are appropriate for all ages. To become part of our dental family, please fill out the form below and we will contact you immediately as possible. Thank you and we look forward to serving you!

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    Touch-A-Truck 2018 was a success!

    We want to give a huge thank you to everyone who came out to Touch-A-Truck this year! It wouldn’t be anything without the help out staff and participants to make it all happen, and of course with all the support from our amazing patients. We are grateful to have all of you apart of our family and look forward to making more fun memories in the future!

    Wisdom From Wisdom Teeth, Anyone?

    Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the last teeth to come in during young adulthood. It is easiest to remove wisdom teeth when the patient is a young adult (late teens to early twenties) because the roots are not fully developed. Wisdom teeth are removed to correct a problem or prevent a problem in the future. The way in which the teeth are growing in determines whether or not a person needs to have them removed, but not all people need to have their teeth removed. It is possible to never have to remove wisdom teeth or to only have to remove one. Wisdom teeth removal can be done by your general dentist or an oral surgeon in office as an outpatient procedure.

    Reasons to Remove:

    Wisdom teeth may partially break through the gum causing the gum to grow over the teeth, which allows for food and germs to get trapped.
    Wisdom teeth may grow in at an awkward angle, which needs surgery to remove so that the tooth does not interfere with the kar or other teeth.
    Prevents crowding of the back teeth
    Impacted tooth in the jaw

    Extraction Process

    During the removal process, your dentist/surgeon will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around where the tooth will be extracted. When dealing with multiple tooth extractions you will be placed under general anesthesia, causing your whole body to be asleep during the procedure. In most cases the removal of the teeth goes very smoothly: the dentist opens up the gum tissue around the tooth and pulls the tooth out. Sometimes the tooth is harder to extract and the dentist must break the tooth into pieces to extract it piece by piece. After the tooth is removed, the dentist will stitch up the gum with dissolvable stitches.

    Recovery

    The recovery process generally only lasts a few days, which includes taking the pain medicine prescribed, rinsing mouth out, and using the gauze to absorb all the excess blood. In order to minimize the pain, try using an ice pack on the outside of your cheek/cheeks. Apply the ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours, after the first day use a warm wrung-out towel for the next few days. Contact your dentist or surgeon if the pain begins to get worse around the fourth day, which may be a sign of complications.

    A Chipped Tooth: No Big Deal Or Something Serious?

    Oh no! You’ve fallen, bumped into something, or bitten down on a hard piece of food. The result? You’ve chipped a tooth. Maybe a huge piece of your front tooth has broken off and your speed dialing one of our dentists for a repair or maybe you have a small tooth fracture that you intend to just live with. Either way a broken or chipped tooth could point to further damage in your mouth than what you may initially see or feel. Therefore your safest option is to go in for an evaluation and X-ray to make sure you are aware of all of the damage and know your options for repair.

    No Big Deal: If your chip was solely a break to the tooth’s surface and didn’t effect roots, gums, or nerves, you are likely to have an easy, quick, and cost effective cosmetic fix such as a filling or bonding.

    Something Serious: In the even that the chip weakened the rest of the tooth, you then become at greater risk for the tooth to further fracture or crack. In addition, if the chip led to significant nerve damage, a root canal could be necessary if attention isn’t given to treatment or healing.

    How To Get Rid Of White Spots On Your Teeth

    What are white spots the spots on my teeth?

    Whether you have had them all your life or are recently seeing them appear, white spots on teeth are very common. These white spots are a sign of mineral loss, and often point to thinning tooth enamel.

    What causes them?

    The cause of white spots can vary and its therefore important to know what exactly is the cause of your white spots. Some white spots begin during childhood as a result of using too much fluoride before your teeth were fully developed. These white spots likely formed from excess calcium buildup.

    Another cause is poor dental hygiene habits, especially while wearing braces when the buildup of plaque can be hard to reach. Dry mouth can also lead to white spots. Without adequate saliva production, acids that erode tooth enamel don’t neutralize and therefore begin wearing down your teeth.

    How can I get rid of them?

    While some teeth can be treated with simple cosmetic procedures, other white spots require much more attention since they are closely linked to the overall health of your teeth. Common treatment plans for cosmetic fixes can be bleaching or porcelain veneers. The best course of action is to make an appointment with a Dental Care Center dentist to decide the cause of your white spots. Your dentist can then select a course of treatment that will protect the health of your teeth.

    What steps can I take to prevent them in the future?

    In order to prevent white spots, we suggest having regular check-ups with your Dental Care Center dentist as well as brushing and flossing correctly throughout the day. We especially urge those who wear braces take extra care in brushing and flossing routines to remove plaque build up in hard-to-reach places. In addition, try to avoid overly acidic and sugary food and drinks that can damage tooth enamel. Instead, choose mineral-rich foods like dairy products, meat and eggs and those foods containing lots of Vitamin D.

    Second Annual Touch-a-Truck Fort Myers

     

    Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & associates is hosting the second annual family-friendly ‘Touch-a-Truck’ Fort Myers on Saturday, April 21, from 11 am to 2 pm. This free interactive experience is geared towards reducing the number of injuries and fatalities due to children approaching large work vehicles in the community.

    Touch-a-Truck is a hands-on experience where children will be able to learn about their favorite trucks and vehicles, plus interact with those who drive them. Children will be able to be as if they were the true professional behind the wheel. Featured vehicles will include emergency service, law enforcement, military, public service, and local commercial businesses.

    Other activities include trackless train rides, pony rides, and face painting, haircuts, photo booth, costume character meet & greet, and food trucks. Please bring can food donations benefiting the Harry Chapin Food Bank for entry.

    There will be a special ‘horn-free’ hour from 11 am to 12 pm for children with special needs and sensitive ears. Touch-a-Truck is free to the general public and is located at Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, 8016 Summerlin Lakes Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

    What To Do When Gingivitis Strikes

    So first off, what is Gingivitis? This is when gums are tender and inflamed due to bacteria buildup and can easily bleed when performing oral procedures. It is estimated that 90% of adults have these Gingivitis symptoms! But no need to worry, it is easily curable and we have some simple tips to follow in order to keep your gums in tip-top shape:

    1. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: As mentioned in the previous post, soft bristled toothbrushes provide a gentle brushing experience that can avoid any irritation to the gums.
    2. Consider using electric toothbrushes: These guys remove even more bacteria than manual toothbrushes, avoiding any inflammation all together.
    3. Monitor your flossing techniques: Make sure to target your teeth when flossing, not your gums! This can be done by flossing in a “C” shape against each tooth, sliding it under the gumlines.
    4. Consider the use of special treatments: This can include prescription fluoride, mouthrinse, or routine cleaning to avoid as much bacteria as possible.
    5. Exercise!: Get that heart beating and blood pumping to get your body to respond more effectively to Gingivitis.
    6. Eat healthy: This can benefit your immune system while providing a satisfying stimulation for your gums while you chew.

     

    Get To Know Dr. Tim Verwest

    Here’s a quick interview with the one and only Dr. Tim Verwest and the future plans we have in store for Pediatric Dentistry of Florida!

    Natural Remedies For Whitening Teeth

    Looking for whiter teeth on a budget? We have the perfect solutions to keep your smile dazzling white without hurting your wallet.

    1. Sage: with its special properties, it can whitening teeth in no time! (We recommend using once or twice a week with whitening tooth scrub powder)
    2. Turmeric: if you try dipping a toothbrush in some turmeric, let it sit for about three minutes after brushing (without toothpaste) and rinse with water. The results won’t be as dramatic as the sage, but it’ll help!
    3. Strawberries: Strawberries have a special acid, called malic acid, that removes stains from teeth. Plus it contains Vitamin C so it is great for consuming. Win-win!
    4. Hydrogen Peroxide: This can whiten teeth instantly! It may be a little intense, but use a little at a time and mix with toothpaste or any other teeth-cleaning products.
    5. Baking Soda: Mix several teaspoons with a little water or lemon juice and you’ll be good to go! This will leave a paste you can leave on your teeth for a minute before rinsing.
    6. Banana Peel: Rubbing the inside of a banana peel on clean teeth for about 2 minutes can whiten your teeth due to certain minerals it contains.
    7. Apple Cider Vinegar: Use this as mouthwash and you’ll be set! Since vinegar can be harsh on your teeth, only perform this action occasionally.

    Why Tongue Scrapers and Cleaners are Important

    You may not always think of going the extra mile to clean your tongue but the benefits from doing so may be worth it.

    • The first advantage you get from keeping your tongue squeaky clean is a crisp, clean taste of every morsel you consume! Keeping your taste buds clean and clear can open up those pores ready to give you bursts of flavor in every bite.
    • It can also be advantageous for your immune system! The removal of bacteria keeps your and your mouth clean and away from any toxins from being reabsorbed back into your body.
    • The removal of bacteria and other toxins can also reduce the overall buildup of plaque, gum infections, tooth decay, and much more.

    How to scrape your tongue

    • Stick your tongue out as far as you can
    • Place the scraper as far back on your tongue as you can
    • Work your way up by gently scraping the surface of your tongue
    • Rinse the scraper and repeat until you feel rid of its coating