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As parents, we always worry about being prepared.  Accidents do happen, and one thing we here at Northwest Children's Dentistry see our fair amount of dental emergencies in kids.  What should you do to help your child in a dental emergency?

We have a page of dental tips of what you can do in case your child has a dental emergency, but here are some guidelines:

• Time is critical in saving a tooth.  If you have a dental emergency, you should call your dentist immediately for care instructions.
• Use a clean gauze or cloth to apply gentle pressure to any cuts inside a child's mouth.  If you cannot stop the bleeding with simple pressure, get your child immediate medical help.
• If a permanent tooth ever gets knocked out of a child's mouth, DO NOT clean the tooth with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Instead, insert it back into the socket if it is safe while you transport the child to dentist, orplace the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk (or ice water if milk is not available).
• Save any tooth fragments you can find and bring them to the dentist immediately.  They may be salvageable.
• Whenever in doubt about any trauma to a child's head, face, or mouth, seek immediate medical attention.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are a husband and wife team providing general dentistry for kids in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and surrounding areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children as your local Tucson dentist. If you’re looking for a kids dentist in Tucson, contact us today!

Everyone has heard of someone who had a teeth pulled by tying the tooth to a string on one end and a doorknob on the other.  In the past, parents would help kids lose teeth in all sorts of ways.  But what should you do when it comes time for your child to lose a tooth?

Here's our list of dos and don'ts for parents and pulling kids' teeth:

• Do have patience.  Some teeth are more stubborn than others, and sometimes it takes longer for a tooth to become loose on its own, which is the preferred way of losing a tooth.
• Don't use aids to pull out a stubborn tooth.  You will almost certainly cause the child pain, but you may also damage tissue and possibly cause an infection.
• Do call us if you have any concern.  We're here to help answer your questions.  Oftentimes, you simply need to wait until the tooth becomes more loose, but we can also help if there's another underlying issue with your child's tooth.

As your pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to help you manage all your children's dental needs.  If you have any questions about your child's dental health, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are a husband and wife team providing general dentistry for kids in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and surrounding areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children as your local Tucson dentist. If you’re looking for a kids dentist in Tucson, contact us today!

Going to a new doctor or dentist can be a nervous experience.  You may not know what to expect or how the visit will go.  This goes double when your kids are involved.

If you are thinking of visiting us for the first time, here is a checklist of things to get yourself prepared.  We hope this helps ease some stress:

• Questions for us.  We love questions!  Don't hesitate to make a list of any questions or concerns you have.  We want you to have a very positive visit, and we will not take offense at anything you ask us.
• Your kids' health history.  Know your child's basic medical background, especially any allergies he or she may have.  You can download and fill out a copy of our health history form in advance if you prefer.
• Insurance Information.  Make sure we have your dental insurance information so we can make billing go as smoothly as possible.

As your pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to help you manage all your children's dental needs.  If you have any questions about your child's dental health, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are a husband and wife team providing general dentistry for kids in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and surrounding areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children as your local Tucson dentist. If you’re looking for a kids dentist in Tucson, contact us today!

We here at Northwest Children's Dentistry get a lot of questions about fluoride.  Fluoride is an important part of your child's dental health.  Research has shown that fluoride reduces cavities and helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, even before the decay becomes visible.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, even the oceans.  It is safe when administered in proper doses, which is something your dentist can talk to you about.

Leading health organizations, including the American Dental Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry support community water fluoridation based on the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence, which continues to establish that it is safe and effective.

Because Tucson is only one of 6 major U.S. cities who don't fluoridate tap water, we believe in children using fluoride toothpaste.  We typically recommend fluoride toothpaste for patients at 2 years of age. However, depending on your child’s specific risk for tooth decay, we may recommend using fluoride toothpaste earlier than 2 years old.

At 2 years old, it is best to use a smear amount of toothpaste. By age 5, a pea-sized amount is recommended. Swallowing this small amount of toothpaste is safe, but there is no harm in beginning to teach your child to spit out the toothpaste as early as possible.

As your pediatric dentist in Tucson, we want to help you manage all your children's dental needs.  If you have any questions about your child's dental health, feel free to call us at (520) 544-8522.

About Northwest Children's Pediatric Dentists

Dr. Norman Bunch and Dr. Jennifer Marshall are a husband and wife team providing general dentistry for kids in Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Oracle, and surrounding areas. Northwest Children's Dentistry provides top-notch care for toddlers, children, teens, and special needs children as your local Tucson dentist. If you’re looking for a kids dentist in Tucson, contact us today!