Our Blog

Parents are usually expert at taking care of their children’s injuries. You know how to disinfect a cut, soothe a bump on the head, and apply a bandage faster than you can blink.

But what happens if your child suffers a dental injury? Teeth can get broken, knocked out, or displaced from a forceful impact, and parents ought to know what to do in those situations, too. Luckily, Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team are here to be a resource for such incidents!

Chipped front teeth are a common injury for young children. First, check to see if the teeth have been broken to the nerve. You can tell this is the case if you see layers and a pinkish center.

Then, wiggle each tooth to make sure it is not loose. If the teeth still feel firmly in place, that’s a good sign. Don’t worry if they are a little loose, because they will tighten again with time.

If your child develops a high temperature or bite sensitivity, treatment is necessary and could include a root canal.

A knocked-out tooth is an injury that requires more attention than just observation. Locate the tooth as soon as you can, and touch only the crown, not the root. Rinse any debris gently with milk or water and place the tooth back in its socket as soon as possible.

According to the American Association of Endodontists, a tooth has a high chance of survival and retention for life if it is returned to the socket within five minutes, and possibly up to 60 minutes, if soaked in milk or saline solution in the meantime.

Say your child is elbowed in the mouth and a tooth gets severely displaced but does not get knocked out. Attempt to shift it back into place by applying light pressure, but be careful not to use too much force. Give your child a cold pack for the swelling and contact our office as soon as possible.

Dental emergencies can be frightening for the child as well as the parent. The best advice we can offer is to stay calm and be assured that we are always here to help! Contact us at our Simsbury, CT office as soon as you can, if your child encounters a dental emergency.

Can you believe that we are already in February? This year has gone by so fast already, but we have made sure to stop and appreciate the small things.

This month and every month, we celebrate Black History Month! We welcome diversity and inclusion and ensure that all of our patients are treated equally no matter their ethnicity, race, or skin color. How are you celebrating and honoring Black History Month?

Another wonderful reason to celebrate February is National Children’s Dental Health Month as well as Pet Dental Health month! Pets depend on us to take care of them, and they can't tell us when they hurt so it is up to us as responsible pet owners to make sure they get regular checkups and that we feed them a proper diet according to their needs, not ours! No vegan diet for cats!

Having a consistent oral care routine will go a long way to ensure that our teeth last a lifetime! By starting at a young age, dental care becomes a natural habit. It is so important to establish a good dental home routine so that children do not develop a fear of the dentist. Kids also take queues from parents, so parents should do their best to not pass along any dental fears they might have to their children!

Random Acts of Kindness Day was February 17^th, although for all of us at Simsbury Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, we strive to be kind every day. Some of the things we do to show our kindness include holding a door for someone, paying for someone's coffee at the drive-through, shoveling a neighbor's driveway or sidewalk, picking up litter from the side of the road or when walking on a trail.

And of course, a crowd favorite for February is Valentine’s Day! Many of you know that Valentine’s Day is not only about love but very much so about treats. Treats may not be the best for our oral health, but everything is good in moderation! Enjoying Valentine's Day treats is great. Just make sure to brush afterward, or at the very least drink water if toothbrushing isn't an option right away.

Finally, for some office updates, we are getting ready to launch Online Bill Pay! Stay tuned for details! You can get a head start by making sure you can access the Patient Portal. Let us know if you need a login link sent to you.

Our schedule is nearly full for the next few months. Please try not to cancel appointments since it may be up to 3 months before we can see your child. We maintain an “ASAP list” and can call you if there is an earlier opening but please be patient with us when we work to find room in our schedule. Dental appointments are considered excused absences and we will be happy to provide a school note. Also, please be sure to verify your dental insurance coverage and bring your card to every visit. If your provider does not issue cards, please forward your information to us at info@simsburychildrensdentistry.com. It is YOUR responsibility to know your coverage and provide us with the correct information so we can submit to your insurance company on your behalf.

We hope everyone is doing well and staying healthy and we will see you at your next visit!

Come say hello twice a year. The American Dental Association says two times is the charm. Multiple visits a year lets us keep an eye out for any developing issues. It’s important to remember that this goes for the whole family. Children over one year old should be seeing Dr. Maryam Azadpur!

Stay fresh. At Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry, we have a virtually unlimited stock of toothbrushes and floss, which means you have no excuse to be using a sad, ineffective toothbrush. As soon as bristles begin to fray, pick up a new one or stop by our Simsbury, CT office and we’ll replace yours. On average, you should be opening a new one every two to three months.

For goodness sake, floss! Flossing is an efficient way to keep your whole mouth healthy. It not only protects your teeth by removing aggregated plaque, it keeps your gums happy, too.

And brush. Practicing regular healthy habits is essential to keeping your mouth—and us—happy! When it comes to brushing that means two minutes, two times a day. If your kids need some encouragement, try making a calendar or playing a song like this.

Tell a friend. One way you can help us is by spreading the love. Tell your friends about what a good thing we’ve got going here. The more the merrier. And the healthier.

Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry specialize in pediatric dentistry, and we understand that children can be frightened of things they do not understand. This anxiety is often heightened by an unpleasant dental experience or stories they hear from classmates. We have many methods at our Simsbury, CT office to make your child’s dental visit pleasant and anxiety-free.

Listening

The first thing Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team do is talk to your child, listen to any concerns he or she may have, and take the time to explain the dental work that will be done. Often children will lose their fears by simply understanding what is happening and why. In addition, you are welcome to be in the room with your child during exams and treatments. When a child is able to see that the parent is relaxed, this is more conducive to the child’s relaxation.

Relaxation

When you arrive at Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry, let your child to play with the toys we provide. This starts the visit in a positive manner. Taking your child’s mind off the exam is useful. While your child is undergoing an examination or procedure, listening to music or watching a video can support a sense of relaxation. When children understand that we care, their anxiety levels are reduced.

Sedation

Nitrous oxide is a sedation technique commonly used to reduce anxiety and alleviate any pain. It is beneficial partly because the effects wear off quickly. Topical pain relievers can also be useful for children with sensitive teeth, and this will eliminate discomfort.

Deeper sedation is useful for complex dental issues, extreme anxiety, or a fear of needles. A liquid or tablet sedative can be given before your child’s appointment. This type of sedation is also helpful for children with a fear of the masks used for nitrous oxide.

We welcome you and your child to discuss any concerns that you have regarding his or her dental appointment. We want your child to be free from anxiety about visiting Dr. Maryam Azadpur. The earlier your child’s fears are addressed, the less likely the fear will carry into adulthood.