The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Dental Association recommend that your child’s first pediatric dental visit should be scheduled once the first tooth erupts or by age one. At your child’s first dental visit, your pediatric dentist will perform a comprehensive exam to ensure your little one’s teeth are erupting properly. Your dentist will also review important oral health and diet practices that will minimize caries development. After your initial visit, your little one should continue to see the dentist every six months.
One of the most common questions I get is, “Why are baby teeth important? They are going to fall out anyway.” Primary teeth are vital for your child’s overall health and play an important role in facial growth and development. They also act as natural space maintainers and guide the eruption of the adult teeth. Decay in primary teeth can cause pain, swelling, infection and early loss of primary teeth.
Teeth development in general begins before birth for baby teeth and at around birth for permanent teeth. Typically, the lower front teeth will begin to erupt at approximately 6 months on average.
The permanent teeth typically erupt at age 6 with the lower front teeth and the adult molars and will end at around age 12.
Teething occurs when the baby teeth begin to grow in. While this is relatively problem-free for most children, others may experience some discomfort. We recommend frozen wash cloths, frozen teething rings and if needed some Tylenol or Motrin to provide comfort through this process. You may notice a drop in appetite, but it’s important to ensure that your little one is well hydrated.
It is always wise to contact your dentist or health professional if you have additional questions or concerns about teething.
For infants, you can use a washcloth and water to clean the teeth, but once the back molars begin to erupt, a soft bristled tooth brush can be introduced. The current ADA and AAPD guidelines recommend that fluoridated toothpaste can be used for this age group.
Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice and/or nursing a baby to sleep can be harmful to the teeth. The normal mechanisms that help keep teeth clean during the day like salivary flow is much lower at night. The teeth are bathed in the sugar that provides a perfect environment for decay. Children who frequently continue to bottle or breast feed while napping, sleeping or in between meals, run the risk of developing extensive tooth decay. Fruit / citrus juices, and sweetened beverages cause the most damage. You can brush the baby’s teeth after the last feed at night with a soft bristled toothbrush and use a washcloth to wipe the teeth if your infant has multiple feeds at night.
Sucking is a normal reflex for infants and is present even before birth. It helps infants self soothe. As they get older, the habit may be discontinued. In some toddlers, the habit persists. Every effort should be made to help your child break the habit by age 4 or 5. Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can result in orthopedic changes such as a narrowed arch. As the adult front teeth begin to come in, if the habit persists, the teeth can be flared.
Dental emergencies are pretty common as toddlers become more mobile and active. Precautionary measures such as childproofing your home would be the first step. It is impossible to watch your toddler at all times though. Establishing a good dental home for your little one where he/she can be evaluated as quickly as possible is important. If the fall/trauma is more serious, call 911 or take your toddler to the ER for evaluation of more serious head/neck injuries.
One of the most common questions we get is, “Why are baby teeth important? They are going to fall out anyway.” Your child’s primary teeth are essential for your child’s overall health and play an important role in the growth and development of the face. They also act as natural space maintainers and guide the eruption of the adult teeth. Decay in primary teeth can cause speech problems, pain, swelling, infection and early loss of primary teeth that can cause crowding, misaligned teeth and the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later on.
The last baby teeth to erupt are the second molars and the average age for these is typically 2 years. For most kids, there will be no loose teeth or new ones coming in till average age 6. A small percentage of kids may begin to lose their teeth as early as 4 or 5 years of age. If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact your dentist. The eruption and exfoliation of your child’s teeth will be monitored every 6 months at the regular check-up and cleaning visits.
Children between the ages of 3 and 5 begin to show more independence. It is important to be mindful of their diet, snacking habits as well as oral hygiene practices. Try to avoid sticky snacks and juices daily, and if your child must drink juice daily, limit it to once or twice a day with a regular meal. Oral hygiene should include brushing twice a day and flossing if there are no spaces between the teeth. Children at this age cannot brush independently and will need assistance from their parents till they are older.
Thumb sucking or pacifier use in infants is normal. Beyond the age of 4 years, prolonged habits can cause dental as well as orthopedic changes which can include but not limited to speech problems, flared teeth, front teeth that don’t close on biting, crowded teeth, cross bites of the back teeth and narrowing of the arches. You can discuss ways to help discontinue these habits with your pediatric dentist.
Preventing injuries can be difficult in children especially up to the age of five, because they are so adventurous. Climbing, jumping and running are all common activities that can result in an injury. Keep an eye on your little ones as best as you can, and make sure that your dental contact for emergencies is already saved in your phone in case needed.
This age group is characterized by the mixed dentition phase, and problems with the jaw and teeth can become apparent during this time. During this time period, your dentist will check to see if the teeth and jaws are aligned, and how the permanent teeth are coming in. Children should be receiving a comprehensive evaluation for orthodontic development around the age of seven. During this time, your pediatric dentist may refer your child to an orthodontist if he/she feels like they may benefit from an early evaluation.
During the orthodontic evaluation, the dentist may choose to perform a panoramic radiograph. This typically occurs after the first set of permanent molars have erupted. This radiograph allows the dentist to do an overall evaluation of the joints and position of the adult teeth that are still developing.
The best thing any parent can do to prevent cavities is to teach children about good oral hygiene. It is also important to reinforce good nutrition, which includes talking about healthy and unhealthy snack choices. Parents should also play a role in brushing and flossing until the child is about 8 years old and has the dexterity that adults have to brush and floss effectively. Of course, parents should follow up every 6 months for routine exams and cleanings.
We highly recommend mouth guards for all kids that play any type of contact sports including football, hockey and soccer. Mouth guards do more than prevent just tooth injuries. They are also effective in reducing concussions and more severe brain injuries. There are many options such as over the counter mouth guards as well as custom mouth guards.
Sealants are a protective coating applied to the chewing surface of teeth. It is worked into the tiny grooves where cavity-causing bacteria live. Toothbrush bristles are too large to reach into the grooves making sealant application one of the most important preventive treatments available. The procedure is painless and quick!
Dental caries are most common in teenagers who frequently drink soft drinks and sports drinks. While sports drinks work well for athletes who need to hydrate, they are also full of sugar and acid that promote tooth decay. Frequent use of sports drinks or soft drinks promotes tooth decay. A better alternative would be plain water in between meals.
Yes, sealants are a very effective preventive measure that helps reduce development of caries on the back molars by approximately 70%. They are placed on the decay prone areas of the back molars on the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Teeth grinding is a serious issue, especially in teenagers and young adults. You should bring this issue up to the dentist because grinding can lead to problems with the TMJ later on. The stress can cause pain and soreness. In order to remedy the situation, your dentist may prescribe a special mouth guard. This guard should help alleviate the symptoms above.
We highly recommend mouth guards for all kids that play any type of contact sports including football, hockey and soccer. Mouth guards do more than prevent just tooth injuries. They are also effective in reducing concussions and more severe brain injuries. There are many options such as over the counter mouth guards as well as custom mouth guards.
Yes. Sugarfree gum is actually helpful because it helps stimulate a constant salivary flow which naturally cleans teeth. Just make sure it is sugar free!
Bad breath is a concern for most teenagers. Good oral hygiene practices which including regular brushing and flossing will help with this. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well. Plaque can coat the surface of the tongue and contribute to bad breath. Beyond good oral hygiene practices, if bad breath still persists, consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying issues. Asthma, sinus and throat infections can also contribute to bad breath and is known as secondary halitosis.
We are dedicated to providing exceptional oral health care for children in a friendly and nurturing environment. Children require expert specialist care From the moment first tooth emerges in the mouth to have a thorough dental assessment and promote healthy oral habits for life and and this begins when we welcome your child to our dental practice.
