Child Cleaning & Exam
We recommend that children begin routine dental exams starting around 4 years old. If they are experiencing any type of dental problem, you may need to bring them in sooner.
During a dental exam for your child, you can expect the following:
- Our hygienists will clean your child's teeth & evaluate their risk of tooth decay.
- The exam may also include the application of protective measures, such as sealants or fluoride treatments.
- If necessary, we may also need to take dental x-rays. Our digital x-rays are state of the art & reduce radiation exposure by 90% in comparison to traditional x-rays.
- We will also discuss your child's diet & oral hygiene habits & demonstrate proper brushing & flossing techniques.
Topics of interest to parents:
Teething
Normally the first tooth erupts between ages 6 to 12 months. Gums are sore, tender & sometimes irritable until the age of 3.
Rubbing sore gums gently with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon or a cold, wet cloth helps soothe the gums. Teething rings work well, but avoid teething biscuits—they contain sugar that is not good for baby teeth.
While your baby is teething, it is important to monitor the teeth for signs of baby bottle decay.
Examine the teeth, especially on the inside or the tongue side, every two weeks for dull spots (whiter than the tooth surface) or lines.
A bottle containing anything other than water & left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay.
This happens because sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack the tooth enamel.
Each time a child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for about 20 minutes.
When awake, saliva carries away the liquid. During sleep, the saliva flow significantly decreases & liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, covering the teeth in acids.
Infant’s New Teeth
The primary, or “baby,” teeth play a crucial role in dental development. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly & has difficulty speaking clearly.
Primary teeth are vital to development of the jaws & for guiding the permanent (secondary) teeth into place when they replace the primary teeth around age 6.
Since primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, infants with missing primary teeth or infants who prematurely lose primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open.
Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space & cause permanent teeth to come in crooked. Missing teeth should always be mentioned to your family dentist.
The way your child cares for his/her primary teeth plays a critical role in how he/she treats the permanent teeth. Children & adults are equally susceptible to plaque & gum problems—hence, the need for regular care & dental checkups.
Why Primary Teeth Are Important
Primary teeth are important for several reasons.
Foremost, good teeth allow a child to eat & maintain good nutrition.
Healthy teeth allow for clear pronunciation & speech habits.
The self-image that healthy teeth give a child is immeasurable. Primary teeth also guide eruption of the permanent teeth.
Good Diet & Healthy Teeth
The teeth, bones & soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize (& avoid) cavities & other dental problems.
Most snacks that children eat cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods like vegetables, low-fat yogurt & cheeses, which promote strong teeth.
Infant Tooth Eruption
A child’s teeth actually start forming before birth. As early as 4 months of age, the primary or “baby” teeth push through the gums—the lower central incisors are first, then the upper central incisors. The remainder of the 20 primary teeth typically erupt by age 3, but the place & order varies.
Permanent teeth begin eruption around age 6, starting with the first molars & lower central incisors. This process continues until around age 21. Adults have 28 secondary (permanent) teeth—32 including the third molars (wisdom teeth).
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in infants can be minimized or totally prevented by not allowing sleeping infants to breast or bottle-feed.
Infants that need a bottle to comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a pacifier.
Our office is dedicated to fighting baby bottle tooth decay. Let us know if you notice any signs of decay or anything unusual in your child’s mouth.
