Kids Corner

What is "baby-bottle" tooth decay?

Babies who go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice are more likely to get tooth decay. Because the sugar in formula, milk or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night, the teeth can decay quickly.

Here are some tips to avoid baby-bottle tooth decay:

• Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water, not milk or juice.
  
• Stop nursing when your child is asleep or has stopped sucking on the bottle.
  
• Try not to let your child walk around using a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier.
  
• Start to teach your child to drink from a cup at about 6 months of age. Plan to stop using a bottle by 12 to 14 months at the latest.
  
• Don't dip your child's pacifier in honey or sugar.

Why are baby teeth so important?

Primary teeth are important because they help maintain good nutrition with proper chewing and eating. They help in speech development in allowing good pronunciation and speech habits. They add to an attractive appearance by helping children feel good about the way they look. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles and help guide the proper eruption of the permanent teeth into the right place. Early loss of primary teeth can ultimately lead to crooked teeth and the need for braces. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. It is also important to remember the front/anterior teeth last until 6-8 years of age and the back/posterior molars are not replaced until 10-14 years of age.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first hair-cut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. Children are keen and can see if you are nervous or display anxiety. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive by explaining what we do. Your child's dentist should be an important and fun adventure. If they know that you are relaxed and positive about this experience it will help them feel relaxed and positive too. Books and videos are available at most bookstores to also help with the first visit. Your child's reaction to his/her first visit to the dentist may surprise you.

When do their teeth erupt?

Children's teeth begin forming before birth. The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the four upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby's teeth will appear periodically.

They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about three years old. The pace and order to their eruption also varies.

The first permanent teeth will begin to erupt between the ages of 5 and 6 starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some don't. This process will continue until approximately age 16-18. Adults will eventually end up with 32 permanent teeth including the wisdom teeth.

Don't worry if some teeth are a few months early or late as all children have different eruption patterns.

What problems could my child have?

Some dental problems begin very early in life. Tooth decay continues to be the most common chronic disease of childhood. One big concern is Early Childhood Caries (ECC) also known as baby bottle tooth decay. Children risk severe tooth decay from using a bottle at night. Untreated caries in the young child could exacerbate and may cause infection and threat to the health of children.

What causes tooth decay?

Several specific types of bacteria that live on the teeth cause decay. When sugar is consumed the bacteria use the sugar and then manufacture acids that dissolve the teeth and cause an infection in the tooth. This infection is called decay.

What is "baby-bottle" tooth decay?

Babies who go to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice are more likely to get tooth decay. Because the sugar in formula, milk or juice stays in contact with the teeth for a long time during the night, the teeth can decay quickly.

Here are some tips to avoid baby-bottle tooth decay:

• Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water, not milk or juice.
  
• Stop nursing when your child is asleep or has stopped sucking on the bottle.
  
• Try not to let your child walk around using a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier.
  
• Start to teach your child to drink from a cup at about 6 months of age. Plan to stop using a bottle by 12 to 14 months at the latest.
  
• Don't dip your child's pacifier in honey or sugar.
  

How Can I Care for my Child's Teeth?

Tooth Brushing

Children's hands and mouths are different than adults. They need to use toothbrushes designed for children. Both adults and children should use brushes with soft, rounded bristles for gentle cleaning. Change to a new brush about every three months.

Wipe infant's teeth gently with a moist, soft cloth or gauze square. As babies grow, use a child's toothbrush with a small, pea-sized dab of toothpaste. By age 2 or 3 begin to teach your child to brush. You will still need to brush where they miss. Dentists and hygienists often advise children to use a gentle, short, back and forth motion to remove plaque. When children are older they can switch to this method.

Hold the brush at an angle (45 degrees) towards teeth and gums. Move brush back and forth with short strokes, about a half tooth wide.
Brush the inside and outside surfaces of each tooth, top and bottom.

Hold the brush flat on top of the teeth and brush the chewing surfaces.

Gently brush the tongue to remove debris.

Floss between teeth daily.

When to begin brushing

Once your child's teeth begin erupting, you can begin cleaning them by wiping them with a moist washcloth. As your child gets more teeth, you can begin to use a soft child's toothbrush. You should use just a pea-size amount of a fluoride toothpaste or a non-fluoride toothpaste (like Baby OraGel) until your child is able to spit it out (too much fluoride can stain their teeth).

For most toddlers, getting them to brush their teeth can be quite a challenge.

What is fluoride?

Flouride is an element which helps make teeth strong and prevent tooth decay. Flouride supplements are sometimes prescribed to patients who might be in higher caries risk and not getting enough fluoride from other sources.
At the same time, excessive fluoride or flourosis can lead to permanent defects and brown discoloration of permanent teeth. Therefore, it must first be determined how much fluoride a child is getting from other sources such as water, toothpaste, multi-vitamins, rinses and other hidden sources.

Will Teething make my child ill?

Many children do become irritable, run a fever and have other symptoms when they are teething. These are to be expected and should not cause worry. Teething itself is not the cause of any childhood illness. The best things to do to aid discomfort is clean your baby's mouth with a damp gauze pad and giving your baby a teething ring to chew on.

Is Thumb-Sucking harmful?

Sucking is a natural reflex in which infants and children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. This brings about a feeling of security especially during difficult periods. It is perfectly normal for infants. Most stop by age 2 and should be discouraged if not be age 4.

Prolonged thumb-sucking can cause crowded crooked teeth, or bite problems. This results from the frequency, duration, intensity and position of the thumb in the child's mouth.

Breaking the Habit:

• Wait till the time is right. (low stress)
  
• Praise them when they are not
  
• Focus on the cause (underlying anxiety)
  
• Motivate your child
  
• Use a reward system
  
• Reminders (band-aid around the thumb)