Dr. Pritzi Arce

26/01/2026

What a big difference it made having the front teeth of my 2 year old patient fixed.

My patient came to the clinic with badly carious teeth which started when he had a fall, cracked some teeth and they started getting cavities. This was also aggravated by his milk.

During the first visit, the parents agreed to have it fixed immediately since they live far.

I did composite crowns (like Strip off crowns but direct build up on the teeth). I anesthetized him with Lidocaine and restrained him using a papoose board. I did not sedate the child. He was awake and crying but parents were okay with that.

Even though he cried and we had 2 visits because he had another cavity on a molar, the child was very happy. Parents were happy too because there are no more cavities.

25/01/2026

What a big difference it made having the front teeth of my 2 year old patient fixed.

My patient came to the clinic with badly carious teeth which started when he had a fall, cracked some teeth and they started getting cavities. This was also aggravated by his milk.

During the first visit, the parents agreed to have it fixed immediately since they live far.

I did composite crowns (like Strip off crowns but direct build up on the teeth). I anesthetized him with Lidocaine and restrained him using a papoose board. I did not sedate the child. He was awake and crying but parents were okay with that.

Even though he cried and we had 2 visits because he had another cavity on a molar, the child was very happy. Parents were happy too because there are no more cavities.

11/12/2025

This is why I use the fan to cool my child’s food.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1M39CQhzSw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Many parents instinctively blow on a baby’s hot food to cool it down. It feels harmless, but tiny saliva droplets can carry harmful oral bacteria. The main concern is Streptococcus mutans — the primary bacteria responsible for dental caries (tooth decay). When this bacteria is transferred into a child’s mouth before their natural oral microbiome is fully developed, it can start colonizing early.

Once S. mutans establishes itself, it feeds on sugars from milk, juice, or snacks and produces acids that damage enamel. This significantly increases the risk of Early Childhood Caries — one of the most common and preventable childhood diseases. Babies and toddlers are especially vulnerable because their enamel is thinner and still developing.

Simple prevention steps matter. Allow food to cool naturally, use separate utensils, and avoid sharing spoons, bottles, or pacifiers. These small habits support healthier oral bacteria balance and protect your child’s smile from preventable decay.

03/12/2025

Since it’s Christmas season again, I want to share a case I did last year, a few days after Christmas. My patient that time was 1 year and 9 months old, female. She had an accident at their province on Christmas Day and her upper left central incisor chipped into half, exposing the nerve.

The child was in severe pain for 2 days already. It was hard to eat or drink milk. The easiest option was to extract the tooth to relieve her instantly of pain but since they were able to get an appointment with me when they got back, we did Pulpectomy (complete removal of the nerve) and covered it with Strip off crown. All procedures were done while she was awake and restrained in a papoose board.

She comes regularly for cleaning and fluoride. The pic at the bottom was 1 year after. I just repaired the crown a little to make it look more esthetic but it was still in very good condition.

10/11/2025

This is why the 3rd molars are ideally removed when it’s impacted because it can cause problems like these. Worst is getting a root canal for the 2nd molar which costs 2-3x more expensive than the surgery of the 3rd molar.

04/11/2025

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If gums bleed while brushing, it’s like your skin bleeding when touched — a clear sign of inflammation, not “brushing too hard.”

Bleeding gums are an early symptom of gingivitis, caused by bacterial plaque that irritates gum tissues and weakens the fine capillaries beneath. Healthy gums never bleed — even slightly.

When left untreated, gingivitis can advance to periodontitis, where infection damages the supporting bone. This can lead to gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss — often without pain until it’s severe.

The solution isn’t to brush harder. It’s to get a professional cleaning (scaling), improve brushing technique, and floss daily. Once the infection subsides, the bleeding stops — and that’s the real sign of gum health.

🔹 This post is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional dental advice.

18/10/2025

✨ Certified Dream Smile Provider Spotlight ✨

Meet Dr. Pritzi Arce of Dr Arce Dental Clinic, located at Centuria Medical Makati, your trusted partner for achieving a confident, radiant smile with Dream Smile Clear Aligners.

Book your consultation today and start your smile journey with a certified expert!
📞 0942 942 8055

15/10/2025

When a tooth is lost and not replaced, the neighboring teeth slowly begin to shift into the empty space. This silent movement disturbs the natural bite alignment, leading to uneven chewing forces, jaw discomfort, and even TMJ (jaw joint) strain over time.

Meanwhile, the bone that once supported the missing tooth starts to shrink—a process called bone resorption. Without stimulation from the tooth root, the jawbone gradually thins out, altering facial shape and making future replacement (like dental implants) more complicated and costly.

In many cases, unbalanced biting and food impaction around tilted teeth can accelerate gum disease and decay in surrounding areas. What begins as “just one missing tooth” can eventually create a chain reaction affecting the entire mouth’s health and aesthetics.

Replacing a missing tooth promptly—through options like implants, bridges, or dentures—restores both function and stability, keeping the bite balanced, the bone strong, and the smile youthful. Dentistry isn’t just about filling gaps—it’s about preserving harmony in the oral system.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace a professional medical advice or diagnosis.

CTTO