Infants
Infants should be seen by our office after the first six months
of age, and at least by the child’s first birthday. By this time, the baby’s
first teeth, or primary teeth, are beginning to erupt and it is a critical time
to spot any problems before they become big concerns.
Conditions like gum irritation and thumb-sucking could create
problems later on. Babies who suck their thumbs may be setting the stage for
malformed teeth and bite relationships.
Another problem that can be spotted early is a condition called
“baby bottle tooth decay,” which is caused by sugary substances in breast milk
and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby’s
mouth.
If left untreated, this can lead to premature decay of your
baby’s future primary teeth, which can later hamper the proper formation of
permanent teeth.
One of the best ways to avoid baby bottle tooth decay is to not
allow your baby to nurse on a bottle while going to sleep. Avoid dipping
pacifiers in sweet substances such as honey, because this only encourages early
decay in the baby’s mouth. Encouraging your young child to drink from a cup as
early as possible will also help stave off the problems associated with baby
bottle tooth decay.
Teething,
Pacifiers and Thumb-Sucking
Teething is a sign that your child’s gums are sore. This is
perfectly normal. You can help relieve this by allowing the baby to suck on a
teething ring, or gently rubbing your baby’s gums with the back of a small
spoon, a piece of wet gauze, or even your finger.
For babies under the age of 4, teething rings and pacifiers can
be safely used to facilitate the child’s oral needs for relieving gum pain and
for suckling. After the age of 4, pacifiers are generally discouraged because
they may interfere with the development of your child’s teeth.
Moreover, thumb-sucking should be strongly discouraged because
it can lead to malformed teeth that become crooked and crowded.
Primary
and Permanent Teeth
Every child grows 20 primary teeth, usually by the age of 3.
These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 or so with a full set of 28
permanent teeth, and later on, four molars called “wisdom teeth.”
It is essential that a child’s primary teeth are healthy,
because their development sets the stage for permanent teeth. If primary teeth
become diseased or do not grow in properly, chances are greater that their
permanent replacements will suffer the same fate. For example, poorly formed
primary teeth that don’t erupt properly could crowd out spaces reserved for
other teeth. Space maintainers can sometimes be used to correct this condition,
if it is spotted early enough.
Brushing
Babies’ gums and teeth can be gently cleaned with special infant
toothbrushes that fit over your finger. Water is suitable in lieu of toothpaste
(because the baby may swallow the toothpaste). Parents are advised to avoid
fluoride toothpastes on children under the age of 2.
Primary teeth can be cleansed with child-sized, soft-bristled
toothbrushes. Remember to use small portions of toothpaste (a pea-sized portion
is suitable), and teach your child to spit out, not swallow, the toothpaste
when finished.
Fluoride
Fluoride is generally present in most public drinking water
systems. If you are unsure about your community’s water and its fluoride
content, or learn that it has an unacceptable level of fluoride in it, there
are fluoride supplements your dentist can prescribe. Your child may not be
getting enough fluoride just by using fluoride toothpaste.
Toothaches
Toothaches can be common in young children. Sometimes,
toothaches are caused by erupting teeth, but they also could indicate a serious
problem.
You can safely relieve a small child’s toothache without the aid
of medication by rinsing the mouth with a solution of warm water and table
salt. If the pain doesn’t subside, acetaminophen may be used. If such
medications don’t help, contact your dentist immediately.
Injuries
You can help your child prevent oral injuries by closely
supervising him during play and not allowing the child to put foreign objects
in the mouth.
For younger children involved in physical activities and sports,
mouth guards are strongly encouraged, and can prevent a whole host of injuries
to the teeth, gums, lips and other oral structures.
Mouth guards are generally small plastic appliances that safely
fit around your child’s teeth. Many mouth guards are soft and pliable when
opened, and mold to the child’s teeth when first inserted.
If the tooth has been knocked out, try to place the tooth back
in its socket while waiting to see our office. Remember to hold the
dislocated tooth by the crown—not the root. If you cannot relocate the tooth,
place it in a container of cold milk, saline or the victim’s own saliva. Place
the tooth in the solution.
First, rinse the mouth of any blood or other debris and place a
cold cloth or compress on the cheek near the injury. This will keep down
swelling.
For a fractured tooth, it is best to rinse with warm water and
again, apply a cold pack or compress. Ibuprofen may be used to help keep down
swelling.
If the tooth fracture is minor, the tooth can be sanded or if
necessary, restored by the dentist if the pulp is not severely damaged.
If a child’s primary tooth has been loosened by an injury or an
emerging permanent tooth, try getting the child to gently bite down on an apple
or piece of caramel; in some cases, the tooth will easily separate from the
gum.
Irritation caused by retainers or braces can sometimes be
relieved by placing a tiny piece of cotton or gauze on the tip of the wire or
other protruding object. If an injury occurs from a piece of the retainer or
braces lodging into a soft tissue, contact our office immediately and avoid
dislodging it yourself.
Sealants
Sealants fill in the little ridges on the chewing part of your
teeth to protect and seal the tooth from food and plaque. The application is
easy to apply and typically last for several years.