It’s a common misconception that caring for primary teeth is unnecessary since they’re only temporary when in fact, primary teeth are vital to the growth of permanent teeth. It’s imperative that primary teeth stay in the child’s mouth until they fall out naturally to prevent overcrowded or misaligned teeth. Healthy primary teeth are essential for speech and jaw development, chewing, and preventing tooth decay from affecting the underlying permanent teeth. Learn proper oral care for children from the teething stage to maintaining healthy permanent teeth with our tips below.
Teething
The teething process can be an extremely uncomfortable experience for children, more so for babies who are unable to explain what’s causing their discomfort. There are quick fixes to help ease your child’s pain during this time. Massaging your child’s gums with a damp cloth or giving them a chilled teether to bite into are the easiest ways to soothe the pain. Should these home remedies prove to be ineffective for your child, you may want to consult a dentist for further suggestions.
Due to the COMID-19 pandemic’s restrictions and safety protocols, parents may decide to postpone their child’s first visit to the dentist until the risk of infection declines significantly Be that as it may, dentists still advise patients to get immediate treatment for tooth decay or any dental problems to halt its progress right away and avoid more invasive procedures.
In the meantime, parents should take note of these pointers.
Wipe the baby’s gums with a soft cloth even before teething As soon as the first tooth emerges, start gently brushing the tooth twice a day with water and make sure to use a soft-bristled brush Don’t put your child to sleep with a bottle of milk or any sweetened liquids Limit consumption of sugar
The First Dental Visit
For parents wondering when their child’s first visit to the dentist should take place, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends the first dental checkup to be within 6 months of the child’s first tooth eruption. As tooth eruption varies from child to child. the timeline of the first visit can happen anytime from 6 to 12 months of age since primary teeth generally start to breakthrough at the age of 6 months. The first dental checkup may include cleaning and a full examination of your child’s primary teeth. The dentist may also give you tips on how to properly handle the teething process, mouth cleaning and prevent tooth decay
Care Tips for Children’s Teeth
A healthy life starts with good oral health. Teaching your child to practice proper oral hygiene is the key to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Preventive dental care is the best strategy to protect your child against most, if not all, dental health issues.
Below are some tips to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy:
Soft toothbrush-Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and replace it every 3 months.
Brush 2x a day- Make sure your child brushes their teeth after every meal and before going to bed. Let your child use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and let them spend at least 2 minutes brushing their teeth.
Flossing Remind your child to floss at least once a day to remove plaque in between the teeth.
Clean the tongue Teach your child to brush their tongue or scrape it with a tongue cleaner to reduce bacteria in the mouth
Limit sugary food and drinks – Limit the amount of sugary food and drinks your child consumes as they increase the risk of getting cavities
Regular dental checkups – Take your child to the dentist for routine checkups every 6 months to prevent any dental health issues.
Make sure to follow these steps to ensure that your child builds healthy dental habits and prevents the common dental problems that children face.
Common Dental Problems in Children
It is estimated that 1 in 5 children under 5 years old suffers from tooth decay as reported by the American Association of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD). This is alarming considering the fact that tooth decay is fully preventable. Consistently practicing good mouth care and getting regular dental checkups are crucial to preventing tooth decay. Tooth decay is the breaking down of enamel caused by the acids and bacteria in the mouth. Without treatment, tooth decay can lead to cavities, tooth abscesses, or tooth loss. Symptoms of tooth decay include toothache and sensitivity, bad breath, and white or dark spots on the tooth. However, it’s possible not to feel any symptoms in the beginning stages of tooth decay but a regular dental examination or x-ray can detect it
Cavities
Cavities form when tooth decay erodes the outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel. If left untreated, cavities can lead to toothache and infections that may disrupt your child’s daily activities such as eating and talking. This applies to primary teeth as well. Treating cavities in primary teeth is essential to prevent premature tooth loss which can affect the positioning of the permanent teeth and your child’s speech development. Common causes of cavities include a diet rich in high-carb and sugary foods, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth overexposure to stomach acids from frequent vomiting or acid reflux. As with most dental problems, the Kyo preventing cavities in your child is making sure that they take proper care of their teeth and co for regular checkups. The treatment required for cavites depends on its severity. It can vary from tooth fillings, crowns, and root canal treatment
Tooth Fillings – The dentist will take out the decayed part of the tooth and insert a filling made of silver, gold, porcelain, or composite resin into the hole.
Crowns – This treatment is recommended when the tooth is severely damaged and almost no healthy enamel remains. After decayed material is removed, the dentist lays a customized crown on the tooth.
Root Canal Treatment – When the pulp, which is the innermost part of the tooth, is deemed irreparable the dentist has to remove the infected pulp and clean it all the way to the root canals. Once the tooth is fully dean, the canals and crown are sealed to prevent reinfection and bacteria from entering
Gum Disease
Gingivitis refers to the inflammation of the gums characterized by red, swollen gums and bleeding when brushing or flossing. Other symptoms may include chronic bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth, and shifting of the jaw’s positioning. Plaque build-up due to poor dental hygiene is the primary cause of gingivitis. The good news is that when gingivitis is detected early, it is easily treatable with regular dental cleanings and practicing good dental habits. However, if gingivitis is not treated in its early stages, it can progress into periodontitis which may result in tooth loss and cause damage to the bone surrounding the teeth. Advanced periodontitis may even require surgery depending on the extent of the damage.
Mint Dental Care
At Mint Dental Care, we offer Child Dentistry services such as fillings and root canal treatment Dental fillings can be performed on primary teeth, if needed, to preserve the natural tooth and prevent further problems from developing in your child’s permanent teeth. If the cavity is too deep for fillings, our dentist may recommend root canal treatment. The renowned root canal treatment has a bad reputation for being painful but in truth, the discomfort felt during the procedure is more or less similar to getting fillings. Contrariwise, pre-treatment pain actually causes more discomfort and distress to the patient than in-treatment and after treatment.
We provide comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages. Our dentists are highly qualified to take expert care of your child’s oral health and we put excellent patient experience at the heart of our practice. Mint Dental Care adheres to the UAE’s health protocols and takes all COMID 19 safety precautions to ensure that you and your child are as comfortable and safe as possible during your visit Schedule an appointment with us now.
References:
Teething:
Dental Health for Kids:
Gingivitis and Periodontitis:
Tooth Decay and Cavities:
