Dentistry for Children, Adolescents and Special Needs
25 Mountainview Blvd, Ste 201 Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
ABOUT US
At Basking Ridge Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to provide the level of care and to treat our patients and parents with compassion and respect.
We truly enjoy working with children, teenagers and special needs patients. We are comitted to a beautiful and healty smile for your child and look forward to providing a home for child's dental care.
Meet Dr. Tina Nguyen
Dr. Nguyen received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. She then earned her doctorate degree at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York City. Her training after dental school was extensive. She completed a General Practice Residency at The Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York
She continued her training with a fellowship in Special Care Dentistry at the Rose F. Kennedy Center of the Albert Einstein Montefiore Medical Center. During the fellowship, she gained extensive experience with autistic and special needs patients. She completed her pediatric residency at The Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in which she was Chief Resident her second year.
Today, Dr. Nguyen has hospital privileges at Morristown Memorial Hospital where she teaches and lectures. In her free time, she enjoys surfing, snowboarding and yoga.
She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Association and the Tri-County Dental Association.
What exactly is a Tongue-tie and Lip-Tie?
Tongue-tie is a non-medical term for a relative common condition that limits the use of the tongue, ankylossia. Lip-tie is a condition where the upper lip has restricted mobility and function. In the womb, as we develop, a string of tissue called a frenum usually recedes and thin under the tongue and lip. The frenum is visible and easily felt. We all have a frenum but in some people, the frenum fails to recede and is too tight, thick or short and prevents proper mobility.
The tongue and lip are a very complex group of muscles that are important for all oral functions. So having restrictions in proper mobility of the lip and tongue can lead to nursing bottle feeding, dental, speech, sleep and solid feeding issues.
Infant Issues
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Poor latch
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Poor weight gain
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Reflux or spitting up often
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Clicking or smacking noises
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Gassy or fussy
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Falls asleep while eating
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Milk dribbles out of the mouth
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Baby is fustrated when eating
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Unable to hold a pacifier
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Prolonged nursing sessions
Mother's Issues
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Painful nursing
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Creased or flattened nipples
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Blister or cut nipple
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Incomplete breast drainage
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Plugged ducts or mastitis
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Using a nipple shield
Release Procedure
Tongue-tie and lip-tie release are simple procedures with minimal complications when using a laser with good technique. The laser allows for excellent visualization and precision during the procedure to achieve a full release of all the fibers which usually does not occur with scissors. The procedure can be performed as early as a couple of days after birth and can be performed into adulthood.
The procedure can be performed in our office with numbing jelly. Dr. Nguyen uses the highest quality, state of the art CO2 laser to perform the release. Older children who understand the procedure, they receive some numbing jelly, local anesthesia and laughing gas. Younger children and babies usually cry more due to us working in their mouth than the pain.
The laser gently removes the tight tissue with typically minimal bleeding with no stitches and no sedation. The baby is allowed to nurse immediately after the procedure and older children often notice an immediate difference in mobility of the tongue.
For infants, the mother often notices a difference immediately, but is also normal to not notice much of a difference right away. Sometimes, there may be even a regression in sucking for a day or two as your child's brain tries to sort out how to use their tongue without the restriction.
A 7 week old with difficulty latching and nursing due to the lip and tongue-ties. The photos are before and after 1 week of the frenectomies. After the releases, the mom was able to nurse comfortably and weight gain increased.
A 3 week old baby with a severe lip tie and a submucosal tongue-tie. Mom was finally able to nurse comfortably for the first time.
A 7 day old newborn presented with multiple symptoms of difficulty latching,
falling asleep while eating, spitting up for all feedings, gagging, choking, hiccups often snoring and noisy breathing.
Nursing for mom was painful and mom complained of bleeding nipples and mastitis.
After the frenectomy, the baby had a deeper latch, less gumming, better weight gain and slept longer.
CONTACT US
We look forward to hearing from you!
Our Address
25 Mountainview Blvd, Ste 201
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Hours
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesdays 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Select Fridays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Email: info@njkidssmile.com
908-647-0747
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. At what age should I take my child to the dentist?
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist by their first birthday, or six months after the first tooth appears.
2. What is the difference between at pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to tchildren only. pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.
3. Are baby teeth really important to my child?
Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.
4. How do I clean my baby's teeth?
A soft-bristled toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. A small headed toothbrush, designed specifically for infants, should be used at least twice a day. Flossing should begin once the teeth start to touch and should be flossed daily.
5. When should we begin using fluoridated toothpaste and how much should we use?
Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. Prior to that, parents should clean the child's teeth with a non-fluoridated toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. When toothpaste is used after age 2-3, place only a smear of toothpaste. Children will need help with brushing until they have the manual dexterity to be brushing on their own which is usually around age of 7 or 8.
6. How can I prevent decay caused by nursing?
Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. If you nurse your child at night, it is very important to brush their teeth afterwards. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday.
7. How often should my child see a dentist?
A check-up every six months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your pediatric dentist will determine the frequency of visits depending on your child's individual dental needs. Some children come in more often due to poor oral hygiene or orthodontic braces.
8. What causes cavities?
Tooth decay is caused by plaque which is a sticky, yellowish film of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down, creating a hole in the tooth's surface. Soda, juice, chocolate milk and candy promotes these acid attacks.
9. What are sealants and how do they work?
Sealants are a white or clear plastic that are applied on teeth to help them stay cavity-free. Sealants work by filling in the grooves and crevasses of the teeth. This prevents food particles from getting caught in teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast, comfortable, safe, and effective in protecting teeth for many years.
10. What do I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
The most important thing to do is to remain calm. Then find the tooth. Gently rinse or remove any gross debris or dirt. Hold it by the crown rather than the root and try to reinsert it in the socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a glass of milk and take your child and the glass immediately to the pediatric dentist.
11. How safe are dental x-rays?
There is very little risk in dental X-rays. Pediatric dentists are especially careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Digital x-rays, lead aprons with a thyroid collar are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.
12. When should my child stop thumbsucking or using a pacifier?
Most children stop sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth if your child doesn't stop. This advice, coupled with support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach doesn't work, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance that blocks sucking habits.
13. How safe is nitrous oxide?
Very safe. Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is non-addictive. It is mild, easily taken, and quickly eliminated from the body. Your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide and oxygen. If nitrous oxide will be used at a visit, we ask that you give your child little or no food before the visit. Nausea or vomiting may occur when a child has a full stomach.
14. What if my child has a toothache?
Call our office and we will schedule a visit promptly. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Apply cold compresses or ice wrapped in a cloth. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.
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Basking Ridge Pediatric Dentistry
25 Mountainview Blvd, Ste 201, Basking Ridge, NJ 07902
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