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One of the most charming aspects of your baby’s beautiful smile is his brilliantly white teeth. But now that his adult teeth are coming in, the difference in color is very noticeable. Is this something to be concerned about? Happily, probably not.

Both baby teeth and adult teeth have the same basic structure. The inside of the tooth, the pulp, contains blood vessels and nerves. The pulp is covered by a layer of dentin, a hard, yellowish substance composed of living tissue that helps protect the pulp and transmits signals for pain, pressure, and temperature. Enamel is the outer protective covering of the tooth, and its natural color can vary from greyish-white to light yellow.

If primary and permanent teeth are so alike, how can they look so different? As with so many things, the difference lies in the details. In adult teeth, enamel is semi-translucent, so it will allow the color of what is beneath it to show through. And the color of the thick dentin beneath is naturally yellow. Baby teeth have a thinner layer of the yellowish dentin. And while their enamel is also thinner, the enamel in baby teeth is generally whiter and more opaque, so less of the underlying yellow from the dentin is visible.

The result of these small differences is that adult teeth are normally darker than baby teeth to begin with. And when a permanent tooth that is just a bit darker erupts next to a bright white baby tooth, it is going to look even more yellow than it actually is. Once all of the baby teeth in front have been replaced with adult teeth, you will have a much better idea of their real color without unflattering comparisons!

There are times when concerns about tooth color should be looked at by Dr. Maryam Azadpur more closely.

• Unusual discoloration in teeth should be examined. Some discoloration is caused by medical conditions such as hypomineralization, some by environmental factors such as excess fluoride, some by trauma, some by medication. If you notice a discolored section of your child’s tooth, or the tooth has turned a different shade from the teeth around it, give us a call.
• Your child might have naturally whiter or yellower teeth simply as a matter of genetics. If your child is self-conscious about the color of his teeth, we can talk about whitening solutions when he is old enough to use them safely. Home whitening products should never be used on young children.

Give yourself time to adjust to your child’s new, adult smile. You will probably notice no difference at all once all of his permanent teeth come in. And keep those new teeth their brightest with consistent brushing and flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings at our Simsbury, CT office. This is the simplest prescription for a charming, white, and healthy smile at any age.

It’s time for our quarterly office updates and announcements blog!

Let’s start off by going over scheduling since the holiday season is in full blast. Our schedule is starting to become very full. We do get openings from time to time but for the most part, the school holidays are completely booked. If you did not know, we maintain an ASAP list so if there is an unexpected opening, we can give you a call to bring in your child sooner rather than later. Let us know when you book your child's appointment if you would like to be placed on this list.

Please make every effort to keep appointments. Our schedule is fully committed and if an appointment is canceled, it may be up to 6 weeks before we can get your child in.

Of course, if you are having an emergency after hours, call our office and select the emergency option to leave a message and you will be contacted ASAP. If you feel it is a true emergency, a trip to the ER may make more sense.

We also wanted to also mention that November 1^st and 3^rd, we will be running our annual Candy Buy-Back program. Bring in your wrapped candy during normal business hours (8-5) and your child will receive $1 per pound, up to 5 pounds. Candy will donate to local first responders and other worthy organizations. Last year, we dropped off goodies to the CT National Guard Armory in Hartford.

Regarding all our staff updates: we are hoping to hire a Dental Associate and a dental assistant soon. Call us at 860-658-7548 and ask for the office manager. But as for our current staff, Susan, Kay, and Lesa are celebrating their 3rd anniversary with our team!

And Lilly, our fabulous assistant is celebrating her birthday this month! Make sure to wish her a happy birthday next time you see her. We all were so glad to be able to celebrate with her already, in office.

Dr. Azadpur has begun performing frenectomies on some of our little patients with lip and/or tongue ties. This procedure has made a huge difference so far with our patients, especially babies who can now nurse properly! It is truly a life changing procedure! The babies can nurse directly following the procedure and we follow up closely to ensure the best possible outcome.

We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!

Whether you already miss the sun’s bright rays, or can’t wait for some cool, crisp weather and colorful leaves, summer is making way for fall. And the change of seasons might mean it’s time for some adjustments to your dental care routine.

Fall’s in the Air, and You Can Feel It

You might enjoy the brisk weather and the cool autumn breezes, but you’d enjoy fall much more without the tooth sensitivity that cold weather can bring. Sensitivity can be the sign of a cracked tooth, gum disease, or even something as simple as too-energetic brushing. If you’re experiencing sensitivity outdoors or with hot and cold foods, don’t give up your nature walks and hot cider! Give Dr. Maryam Azadpur a call, and we’ll get to the root of your problem.

Fall Sports

The baseball mitts, surfboards, and water skis have been retired for the year, but that won’t stop you from enjoying exercise and team sports. And while you’re keeping your body healthy, remember to keep your teeth and jaws healthy as well. A mouth guard is an essential piece of equipment for any autumn contact sport like football or soccer, and is also a good idea for biking, skateboarding, and other physical activities where a fall or a collision is a possibility.

Fall Feasts

‘Tis the season for sugary Halloween treats, bountiful Thanksgiving desserts, and those over-the-top holiday lattes. By all means, celebrate the season. And celebrate your dental health (and your overall health) as well by enjoying these treats in moderation.

Why not take this opportunity to explore some of autumn’s more nutritious seasonal offerings? Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, and apples are part of a fall harvest of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and other nutrients that help keep our teeth and gums their healthiest. (And if the pumpkins and apples make their way into pies, no one will complain.)

Fall Semester

Many schools require a dental exam before the start of the academic year. If you haven’t made an appointment for your child, now’s the time to do it! And don’t forget a professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar. Nothing starts a school year off better than entering the classroom with a bright, healthy smile.

And don’t forget to call our Simsbury, CT office for your own regular checkup if it’s that time of year. Spring, summer, winter, fall—it’s always the right season for taking care of your dental health!

Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team know that cavities know no age boundaries, and that is why we recommend a visit to our Simsbury, CT office by a child’s first birthday. That also happens to be the opinion of our friends at the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the American Dental Association.

Research has shown that more than one in four kids has had at least one cavity by the time they’re four years old. In fact, many children get cavities as early as age two, which is a critical reason why you should pay us a visit sooner rather than later. Your child’s appointment at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry also covers topics such as the importance of baby teeth, nutrition, development, and any concerns you may have with your child’s dental health. We believe that your child’s first visit with Dr. Maryam Azadpur should be an enjoyable and positive one, and we strive to teach good oral care that will enable your child to have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

To learn more about baby teeth, or to schedule your child’s next visit with Dr. Maryam Azadpur, please give us a call today! We look forward to seeing you!