All About Growing Up

If you are prone to tooth decay or gum disease, your child may be at higher risk as well. Therefore, sometimes even the most diligent brushing and flossing will not prevent a cavity. Be sure to call your dentist if your child complains of tooth pain. The pain could be a sign of a cavity that needs to be treated.

New materials have given the pediatric dentist more filling and repair options than ever before. Silver remains the substance of choice for the majority of fillings in permanent teeth. Other materials, such as composite resins, also are gaining popularity. Composite resins bond to the teeth so the filling won't pop out, and they can be used to rebuild teeth damaged through injury or conditions such as cleft palate.

Tooth-colored resins are also more attractive. But in cases of fracture, extensive decay, or malformation of baby teeth, dentists often opt for stainless steel crowns. Crowns maintain the tooth while preventing the decay from spreading.

As kids grow older, their bite and the straightness of their teeth can become an issue. Orthodontic treatment begins earlier now than it once did, but what once was a symbol of preteen anguish — a mouth filled with metal wires and braces — is a relic of the past. Kids as young as age 7 now sport corrective appliances. Efficient, plastic-based materials have replaced old-fashioned metal contraptions. Dentists now understand that manipulation of teeth at a younger age can be easier and more effective in the long run. Younger children's teeth can be positioned with relatively minor orthodontia, thus preventing major orthodontia later on.

In some rare instances, usually when a more complicated dental procedure is to be performed, a dentist will recommend general anesthesia be used.

Parents should make sure that the professional who administers the medicine is a trained anesthesiologist or oral surgeon before agreeing to the procedure. Don't be afraid to question the dentist. Giving your child an early start on checkups and good dental hygiene is an effective way to help prevent this kind of extensive dental work. Encouraging your child to use a mouth guard during sports can also prevent serious dental injuries.

As your child grows, plan on routine dental checkups anywhere from once every 3 months to once a year, depending on the dentist's recommendations. Limiting intake of sugary foods and regular brushing and flossing all contribute to your child's dental health. Your partnership with the dentist will help ensure teeth healthy and a beautiful smile.

Child Dental Care

Watch What Your Child Eat

Child Dental Care

Many dentally conscious parents give their child healthy snacks or natural foods instead of candy and other sugar laden treats. Surprisingly, many of these healthy foods are just as bad for child's teeth as candy, if not worse.

You see, bacteria utilize not only the sugar found in candy and other sweets, but they also use the natural sugars found in fruits and milk, as well as the carbohydrates found in foods such as potato chips, pasta, and bread.

Parents should be especially careful of sticky and gooey foods. These foods, such as peanut butter and raisins, tend to stick to teeth providing a constant supply of sugar and carbohydrates for bacteria.

What should parents do ? While parents should feed their child as before, they should also remind them to thoroughly wash all foods down after meals with a beverage, preferably water. If possible, child should brush their teeth after each meal. This will ensure that as little food as possible stays in the mouth where bacteria can feed on it.

Thanks to Colgate for this information.

Child Dental Care

Child Dental Care

Child Dental Care

When infants are born, almost all of their primary or baby teeth already have formed although they still are hidden in the gums. They typically begin to erupt or cut through the gums when the baby is about 6 months old. Of course, your baby may begin teething a little bit earlier or a little later than this. That's okay. All children develop at their own pace and your 1-year-old may have a different number of teeth than your neighbor's 1-year-old child.

Usually the first baby teeth to erupt are the two bottom front teeth. Next come the top four front teeth. From here, teeth slowly begin to fill the mouth, usually two at a time on either side of the jaw. Your child should have all 20 primary teeth by the time he or she is 36 months old.

Your child's primary teeth typically will have spaces between them. Since there is a difference between the size of the permanent and primary teeth, these spaces help ensure there will be enough room for adult teeth. Spaces also make it easier to clean between your child's teeth.

Thanks to Colgate for this information.

Child Dental Care