Learn How Toothprints Can Save Your Child’s Life
September 22, 2017 ABC Children's Dentistry
Without doubt, there’s nothing more important to a parent than the safety of their child. A breakthrough in child dentistry has provided parents and law enforcement officials a powerful tool in helping to protect children. It’s called Toothprints, and we’ll talk about it in this issue.
What are Toothprints?
Just like fingerprints, dental imprints (Toothprints) are unique to all of us. Dental impressions of your child are made on a piece of wishbone-shaped wax. It records the size and shape of your child’s teeth as well as the connection of the upper and lower jaws.
How are Toothprints useful?
For parents, Toothprints can be a sort of keepsake that tracks the development of their child’s growth. For law enforcement, they can be a potent way to store saliva DNA information, as well as help in identifying a missing child and even provide their smell for scent dogs.
To prove how effective Toothprints can be, consider that a tracking dog once tracked a 1-year-old child in an auditorium of 500 seated persons.
How often should my child have their Toothprints made?
In order for Toothprints to be truly effective, they need to be updated regularly. Here’s a suggested schedule for Toothprinting:
- 1st impression at age 3 (or after all the primary teeth have erupted);
- 2nd impression at age 7 or 8 (or after upper and lower incisors and first permanent molars have erupted); and
- 3rd impression at age 12 or 13 (or after all permanent teeth – except for 3rd molars – have erupted).
How long does it take to make Toothprints?
Toothprints typically take about three (3) minutes to complete, and can be made during your child’s checkup.
To schedule your child’s Toothprints, call ABC Children’s’ Dentistry in San Diego
While it’s fresh on your mind, this is the perfect time to make an appointment for your child’s Toothprints. It only takes a few minutes, and is definitely well worth the effort.
So call us here at ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego.
Our number is 858-780-9794 or you can reach us online.