Caring For Your Child's Teeth
Primary Teeth
Children typically get their first teeth at 6 months of age. These primary teeth are important for speech development, nutritional needs, and lay groundwork for the permanent teeth that will eventually erupt. Like permanent teeth, primary teeth can decay and may need to be removed if proper oral care is not given to them.
Before any teeth come in, parents can wipe the child’s mouth with a damp cloth or gauze to keep the area free of bacteria. Once the teeth begin to erupt, brushing can be done and regular dental visit should be scheduled for the child. A common occurrence in children is “baby bottle decay,” which occurs when the child is given milk, juices, and liquids containing sugar at bedtime, as the substances are left in the child’s mouth over prolonged periods of time. Bottles at night should be avoided unless filled with water. This greatly decreases the risk of decay occurring.
As primary teeth are a crucial part of a child’s early physical and social development, parents should consult their dental care professionals on the best way to care for teeth in these early stages.
Dental Care for Children Ages 1-3
Young children have oral care needs before teeth begin to erupt, and the early years of dental care are imperative to creating strong foundations for permanent teeth and necessary for speech development. Parents should consider the following when making decisions for a child’s oral care.
Long before teeth begin to erupt and dentist visits begin, choices like baby bottle nipples can impact the development of a child’s jaw, muscles, and swallowing patterns. Women who choose to breastfeed can ask oral care professionals for recommended nipples that promote proper development for the child.
Fluoride taken orally through the local water supply or fluoride drops is important for children, as their teeth are beginning to form and calcify as early as three months of age. During this period, the teeth will take in the greatest amount of fluoride and is important for strong tooth development. This intake is a safe and easy way to promote strong teeth and begin promoting preventive oral care. Local dentists offices can advise on whether the water supply provides enough fluoride or whether fluoride drops are needed as a supplement, and what kind of dosage should be given to the child.
When babies begin to get their teeth—typically around six months of age—it can be an uncomfortable process. Excessive drooling and overall crankiness can occur during tooth eruption. To alleviate the baby’s teething discomfort, parents can purchase two-by-two inch gauze pads and rub the tender gums with them daily. The rubbing can sooth the area, as well as rid the gum of any plaque in the area, which will ease the pain.
A common occurrence in children is “baby bottle decay,” which occurs when the child is given milk, juices, and liquids containing sugar at bedtime, as the substances are left in the child’s mouth over prolonged periods of time. Bottles at night should be avoided unless filled with water. This greatly decreases the risk of decay occurring.
Oral care should begin early so that a dentist can track a child’s dental growth and development. When children are ready to visit the dentist for the first time—ideally six months after the child gets its first tooth—parents can do a number of simple things to qualm anxiousness of the routine. Acclimation to the dentist’s office and staff will allow the child to develop positive attitudes towards going to the dentist and oral health.
• Be positive and reassuring about the visit and emphasize that it will be fun
• Avoid bribes or special treats to get the child to go to the dentist
• Avoid phrases like “Be brave!” or telling the child not to be afraid, which may make the child more nervous about the ordeal
During the initial dentist visit, general x-rays and simple exams of the teeth, gum, and jaw will be done. Depending on the child’s comfort level with the procedures and demeanor, this can be done all at once or may be done over several shorter visits if the child is too frightened. This is why putting the child at ease with the idea of visiting the dentist is important
Gum Disease
Periodontal disease or gum disease is the infection or inflammation of the tissue that surrounds the teeth. Gingivitis, gums that are red, swollen, tender and bleeding, is the early stage of gum disease. If caught early and proper steps including better home oral care and consults from a dentist, it can be treated. However, if left to progress, root canals or tooth removal may be necessary.
Preventive measures like proper brushing, flossing, and regular check-ups with your dentist are the best ways to combat gum disease. The most common cause of gum disease is an accumulation of plaque that eventually creates toxins that degrade the gum tissue. Smokers, excessive drinkers of alcohol, those with uncontrolled diabetes, or have systemic diseases that attack the immune system have a heightened risk for gum disease.
Early treatment includes professional removal of place and calculus that forms on teeth can be performed. Later, surgery may be required to cut away affected areas and reshape the hard tissue and bone pockets in the mouth. For extreme cases, tissue gafts may be necessary in damaged areas to aid in new tissue growth.
Sealants
Sealants can be applied to the chewing surface of teeth offer additional protection against tooth decay for children. Tooth decay, which occurs when plaque and bacteria break down the enamel on the tooth, can be combated with a sealant which acts as a barrier between the plaque and the tooth.
Teeth can be quickly and easily coated with sealant, which is essentially a thin plastic coating that bonds to teeth. This procedure typically lasts up to 5 years, but can be redone as many times as necessary. They are most effective after permanent teeth first rupture, as there is less overall exposure to harmful plaque and bacteria.
Sealants are not necessary, but can be helpful in fighting tooth decay. Your dentist can give you options about applying sealants and if there are any teeth that are particularly good candidates because of their structure or difficult to reach placement in the mouth.
Milk
Milk and other dairy products that are made from milk are an excellent source of calcium. Calcium, in turn, is essential in developing strong, healthy teeth, as well as being beneficial to the gums and jawbone development. Babies under the age of one year old should be given breast milk or a formula with additional iron in it. Between one and two, children should be given whole milk. Children ages two to five can begin to be switched to skim milk or low-fat milk.
