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Caring for Young Teeth Shari Summers, D.M.D.
Early childhoodcaries (formally known as “baby bottle” or “nursing caries”) is a pattern of decay associated with prolonged nursing. This occurs when a child sleeps with a bottle (filled with juice, milk, formula or any sweetened liquid) or who nurses frequently. Typically, the upper front teeth as well as the upper and lower posterior teeth decay rapidly. To prevent this, infants should be weaned at one year of age. Oral hygiene for your baby should begin as soon as possible. At birth, clean your baby’s gums with gauze or a damp washcloth. After the eruption of the first tooth (approximately 6 months of age), a toothbrush should be introduced. Teething generally occurs between 6 months and age 3. A clean teething ring, cool spoon or rubbing the area with a clean finger may alleviate the discomfort of sore gums. For the first visit to the dentist’s office, a visual examination is performed with the child sitting in the parent’s lap with the head in the dentist’s lap (knee to knee). Following the examination, the dentist will discuss a preventive home care program including brushing, flossing if necessary, proper diet and recommendations for fluoride supplementation. Enamel fluorosis results from the ingestion of too much fluoride during the early years of tooth development. The permanent teeth are marred by discoloration ranging from white specks to severe brown discoloration with a pitted surface. To prevent this condition, monitor your child’s use of fluoridated toothpastes. If your child is unable to spit out the toothpaste, brush with a non-fluoridated paste such as Baby Orajel® Tooth & Gum Cleaner or a plain wet brush. When your child can expectorate, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used. Parents should help children brush and floss until the child can demonstrate the dexterity needed to sufficiently clean teeth. Even with good home care techniques, it is difficult to clean the tiny grooves on back teeth. Food and bacteria lodge in these pits, making your child more cavity susceptible. Sealants (a clear or shaded plastic material) protect the chewing surface of the back teeth where most cavities form. Sealants form a coating or barrier on the teeth and help protect the tooth from the bacteria. The teeth most in need of sealants are the 6-year and 12-year molars, however, any back tooth may benefit. Selective removal of “baby teeth” may be necessary in order to facilitate the eruption of the permanent teeth into their proper positions. This decision is made after a thorough evaluation of x-ray surveys, oral examination and plaster casts of your child’s teeth. A malocclusion is the improper alignment of the teeth and/or jaws. The size and shape of the face, jaws and teeth are mostly determined by inheritance. Orthodontic problems can also be caused by habits (thumb sucking, pacifiers, lip biting, mouth breathing), dental injuries and early loss of primary teeth. Several minor problems can be corrected by early treatment. Complex malocclusions may require orthodontic treatment. There are two types of tooth movement appliances, removable and fixed. Removable appliances are commonly referred to as retainers. Their success is totally dependent on the patient’s compliance in wearing them. One advantage of removable appliances is that they are easy to clean. Fixed appliances (braces) are attached to the teeth and give the dentist better control of tooth movement. Impeccable home care is needed to prevent cavities in areas where food collects around the braces. A pediatric dentist––a dentist specializing in the treatment of children from infancy through the teenage years––is trained to help young, fearful children feel good about seeing the dentist. Pleasant visits to the dental office will help your child establish the trust and confidence needed for a lifetime of good dental health. For a referral to a Saint Barnabas pediatric or adult dentist, orthodontist, oral and maxillofacial surgeon or other dental specialist, please call 1-888-SBMC-DOC. [ top ] |
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Isn’t it nice to hear the words, “you have beautiful teeth”? Early preventive dental care for your child is an important step on the road to “beautiful teeth,” as well as total well being. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends an initial dental visit no later than 12 months of age. The prevention of dental disease is the primary consideration during these visits. Preventive dentistry means less extensive and less expensive treatment for your child in the future. 
