|
CHILDREN'S
DENTISTRY
Why does my child
need a pediatric dentist?
Why Are The Baby Teeth So Important?
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?
Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth
TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
EARLY INFANT ORAL CARE
PREVENTION
ADOLESCENT DENTISTRY
Why does my child need a pediatric dentist?
The pediatric dentist has an extra two to three
years of specialized training after dental school,
and is dedicated to the oral health of children from
infancy through the teenage years. The very young,
pre-teens, and teenagers all need different
approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding
their dental growth and development, and helping
them avoid future dental problems. The pediatric
dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.
Why Are The Baby 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 adult 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.
Baby 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.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
According to the
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), your
child should visit the dentist by his/her 1st
birthday. You can make the first visit to the
dentist enjoyable and positive. Your child should be
informed of the visit and told that the dentist and
their staff will explain all procedures and answer
any questions. The less to-do concerning the visit,
the better. It
is best if you refrain from using words around your
child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as
needle, pull, drill or hurt. In Pediatric dental
office of Lancaster we make a practice of using
words that convey the same message, but are pleasant
and non-frightening to the child.
When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?
Teething, the process of
baby (primary) teeth coming through the gums into
the mouth, is variable among individual babies. Some
babies get their teeth early and some get them late.
In general the first baby teeth are usually the
lower front (anterior) teeth and usually begin
erupting between the age of 6-8 months.
Eruption Of Your Child’s Teeth
 Children’s teeth begin
forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the
first primary (or baby) teeth to erupt through the
gums are the lower central incisors, followed
closely by the upper central incisors. Although all
20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace
and order of their eruption varies.
Permanent teeth begin
appearing around age 6, starting with the first
molars and lower central incisors. This process
continues until approximately age 21.
Adults have 28 permanent
teeth, or up to 32 including the third molars (or
wisdom teeth).
Top
TOOTH DEVELOPMENT
 What’s the Best Toothpaste for my Child?
Tooth brushing is one of
the most important tasks for good oral health. Many
toothpastes, and/or tooth polishes, however, can
damage young smiles. They contain harsh abrasives
which can wear away young tooth enamel. When looking
for a toothpaste for your child make
sure to pick one that is recommended by the
American Dental Association. These toothpastes have
undergone testing to insure they are safe to use.
Remember, children
should spit out toothpaste after brushing to avoid
getting too much fluoride. If too much fluoride is
ingested, a condition known as fluorosis can occur.
If your child is too young or unable to spit out
toothpaste, consider providing them with a fluoride
free toothpaste, using no toothpaste, or using only
a "pea size" amount of toothpaste.
Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Bruxism)
Parents are often
concerned about the nocturnal grinding of teeth (bruxism).
Often, the first indication is the noise created by
the child grinding on their teeth during sleep. Or,
the parent may notice wear (teeth getting shorter)
to the dentition. One theory as to the cause
involves a psychological component. Stress due to a
new environment, divorce, changes at school; etc.
can influence a child to grind their teeth. Another
theory relates to pressure in the inner ear at
night. If there are pressure changes (like in an
airplane during take-off and landing when people are
chewing gum, etc. to equalize pressure) the child
will grind by moving his jaw to relieve this
pressure. The
majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not
require any treatment. If excessive wear of the
teeth (attrition) is present, then a mouth guard
(night guard) may be indicated. The negatives to a
mouth guard are the possibility of choking if the
appliance becomes dislodged during sleep and it may
interfere with growth of the jaws. The positive is
obvious by preventing wear to the primary dentition.
The good news is most
children outgrow bruxism. The grinding gets less
between the ages 6-9 and children tend to stop
grinding between ages 9-12. If you suspect bruxism,
discuss this with your pediatrician or pediatric
dentist.
Top
Thumb Sucking
 Sucking is a natural
reflex and infants and young children may use
thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects
on which to suck. It may make them feel
secure and happy or provide a sense of security at
difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing,
it may induce sleep.
Thumb sucking that
persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth
can cause problems with the proper growth of the
mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a child
sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or
not dental problems may result. Children who rest
their thumbs passively in their mouths are less
likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously
suck their thumbs.
Children should cease
thumb sucking by the time their permanent front
teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop
between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure
causes many school-aged children to stop.
Pacifiers are no
substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the
teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers
and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be
controlled and modified more easily than the thumb
or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb
sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric
dentist. A few
suggestions to help your child get through thumb
sucking:
•Instead of scolding children for thumb sucking,
praise them when they are not.
•Children often suck their thumbs when feeling
insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of anxiety,
instead of the thumb sucking.
•Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less
of a need when their parents provide comfort.
•Reward children when they refrain from sucking
during difficult periods, such as when being
separated from their parents.
•Your pediatric dentist can encourage children to
stop sucking and explain what could happen if they
continue.
•If these approaches don’t work, remind the children
of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a
sock on the hand at night. Your pediatric dentist
may recommend the use of a mouth appliance.
Top
What is the Best Time for Orthodontic Treatment?
Developing
malocclusions, or bad bites, can be recognized as
early as 2-3 years of age. Often, early steps can be
taken to reduce the need for major orthodontic
treatment at a later age.
Stage I – Early
Treatment: This period of treatment encompasses ages
2 to 6 years. At this young age, we are concerned
with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature
loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as
finger or thumb sucking. Treatment initiated in this
stage of development is often very successful and
many times, though not always, can eliminate the
need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II – Mixed
Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12
years, with the eruption of the permanent incisor
(front) teeth and 6 year molars. Treatment concerns
deal with jaw malrelationships and dental
realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to
start treatment, when indicated, as your child’s
hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to
orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III – Adolescent
Dentition: This stage deals with the permanent teeth
and the development of the final bite relationship.
Top
EARLY INFANT ORAL
CARE
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early
Childhood Caries)
One serious form of
decay among young children is baby bottle tooth
decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long
exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that
contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk
(including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and
other sweetened drinks.
Putting a baby to bed
for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water
can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet
liquid pools around the child’s teeth giving plaque
bacteria an opportunity to produce acids that attack
tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle as
a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only
water. If your child won't fall asleep without the
bottle and its usual beverage, gradually dilute the
bottle's contents with water over a period of two to
three weeks.
After each feeding,
wipe the baby’s gums and teeth with a damp washcloth
or gauze pad to remove plaque. The easiest way to do
this is to sit down, place the child’s head in your
lap or lay the child on a dressing table or the
floor. Whatever position you use, be sure you can
see into the child’s mouth easily.
Top
PREVENTION
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.
When teaching children to brush, place toothbrush at
a 45 degree angle; start along gum line with a soft
bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the
outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower.
Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and
chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by
brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and
remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque
between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You
should floss the child’s teeth until he or she can
do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding
most of it around the middle fingers of both hands.
Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and
forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to
guide the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss
into a C-shape and slide it into the space between
the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently
scrape the floss against the side of the tooth.
Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget
the backs of the last four teeth.
Good Diet = 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.
Top
How Do I Prevent Cavities?
Good oral hygiene
removes bacteria and the left over food particles
that combine to create cavities. For infants, use a
wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from
teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with
a bottle filled with anything other than water. See
"Baby Bottle Tooth Decay" for more information.
For older children,
brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch
the number of snacks containing sugar that you give
your children.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
recommends six month visits to the pediatric dentist
beginning at your child’s first birthday. Routine
visits will start your child on a lifetime of good
dental health.
Your pediatric dentist may also recommend protective
sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child.
Sealants can be applied to your child’s molars to
prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
Xylitol - Reducing Cavities
The American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits
of xylitol on the oral health of infants, children,
adolescents, and persons with special health care
needs.
The use of XYLITOL
GUM by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months
after delivery and until the child was 2 years old,
has proven to reduce cavities up to 70% by the time
the child was 5 years old.
Studies using xylitol as
either a sugar substitute or a small dietary
addition have demonstrated a dramatic reduction in
new tooth decay, along with some reversal of
existing dental caries. Xylitol provides additional
protection that enhances all existing prevention
methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and
possibly permanent. Low decay rates persist even
years after the trials have been completed.
Xylitol is widely
distributed throughout nature in small amounts. Some
of the best sources are fruits, berries, mushrooms
lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of
raspberries contains less than one gram of xylitol.
Studies suggest xylitol
intake that consistently produces positive results
ranged from 4-20 grams per day divided into 3-7
consumption periods. Higher results did not result
in greater reduction and may lead to diminishing
results. Similarly, consumption frequency of less
than 3 times per day showed no effect.
To find gum or other
products containing xylitol, try visiting your local
health food store or search the Internet to find
products containing 100% xylitol.
Top ADOLESCENT
DENTISTRY
Tongue Piercing – Is it
Really Cool?
You might not be
surprised anymore to see people with pierced
tongues, lips or cheeks, but you might be surprised
to know just how dangerous these piercings
can be. There
are many risks involved with oral piercings
including chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots,
blood poisoning, heart infections, brain abscess,
nerve disorders (trigeminal neuralgia), receding
gums or scar tissue. Your mouth contains millions of
bacteria, and infection is a common complication of
oral piercing. Your tongue could swell large enough
to close off your airway!
Common symptoms after
piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an
increased flow of saliva and injuries to gum tissue.
Difficult-to-control bleeding or nerve damage can
result if a blood vessel or nerve bundle is in the
path of the needle.
So follow the advice of
the American Dental Association and give your mouth
a break – skip the mouth jewelry.
Tobacco – Bad News in Any Form
Tobacco in any form can
jeopardize your child’s health and cause incurable
damage. Teach your child about the dangers of
tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff,
is often used by teens who believe that it is a safe
alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an
unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit
tobacco may be more addictive than smoking
cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens
who use it may be interested to know that one can of
snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60
cigarettes. In as little as three to four months,
smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease
and produce pre-cancerous lesions called
leukoplakias.
If your child is a tobacco user you should watch for
the following that could be early signs of oral
cancer: •A sore
that won’t heal.
•White or red leathery patches on the lips, and on
or under the tongue.
•Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth
or lips.
•Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving
the jaw or tongue; or a change in the way the teeth
fit together.
Because the early signs of oral cancer usually are
not painful, people often ignore them. If it’s not
caught in the early stages, oral cancer can require
extensive, sometimes disfiguring, surgery. Even
worse, it can kill.
Help your child avoid
tobacco in any form. By doing so, they will avoid
bringing cancer-causing chemicals in direct contact
with their tongue, gums and cheek.
Top
For more
information or to set up an appointment,
please contact us for a consultation.
Atlas
Dental Care is proud to serve the local communities of
:
El Monte, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Arcadia, Whittier, Baldwin
Park,
Pico Rivera, Montebello, Alhambra, West Covina,
Covina, Pasadena and Los Angeles.
California.
|
