Why are the primary teeth so important?

It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) aren’t replaced until age 10-13.

X-ray examination

Radiographs (X-Rays) are a vital and necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed.

Radiographs detect much more than cavities. For example, radiographs may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. Radiographs allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child and more affordable for you.

Dentists are very careful to minimize the exposure of the little patients to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray examination is extremely small. The risk is negligible. In fact, the dental radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem.

How to take care of your child’s teeth?

Begin daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth erupts. A pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough not to swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age seven to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child has the skill level to brush properly. Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.

Quality food – healthy teeth

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, which cause longer acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese which are healthier and better for children’s teeth.    

Tooth sealing

Protective sealants or home fluoride treatments may also be recommended for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces. A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.

Dental fluorosis – Mottling of teeth

Young children, aged 0 to six years, should not use full strength fluoride toothpaste and should only take fluoride tablets if prescribed by a dentist. Too much fluoride at this age may cause their adult teeth (which are forming underneath) to stain. This is called dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis cannot develop after teeth are fully formed and does not affect the function of the teeth. Dental fluorosis can occur in areas both with and without water fluoridation. Dental fluorosis looks like fine pearly-white mottling, flecking or lines on the surface of the teeth; it is usually very hard to see. Mottling of the teeth can also be caused by other things like

Injuries, certain medications and some childhood infections.

If fluoride is not the cause of staining of the teeth, then it is not called dental fluorosis.

Mottling is esthetic problem, especially for the teenagers and adults. Fortunately, it can be solved to satisfy esthetic criteria. It is to be assessed whether the patient is too young to have veneers, or a composite filling should be suggested.

                                                   Important! Regularly cleaning and visiting the dentist.