Tips for Parents
What Happens If You Lose a Baby Tooth Early?
If you lose a baby tooth too early, the shifting in the permanent teeth eruption order can increase the likelihood of misalignment in your child’s permanent teeth. This could range from slight misalignment to more complex issues that can disrupt the balance of the whole mouth.
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, review your child’s eating and oral hygiene habits and identify the source of the problem. By correcting these habits, you reduce the risk of encountering the same issue with other baby teeth in the near future.
Your dentist will place a space maintainer to preserve the space until the permanent tooth erupts, and will call for regular check-ups.
Why Is My Baby’s Teeth Starting to Decay?
If cavities are appearing early in your baby’s teeth, focus on their diet! Especially, falling asleep with a bottle filled with sugary liquids (such as sugary milk, chocolate milk, fruit juice) at night could be the cause. Or if your baby is spending the whole day with such a bottle, the prolonged exposure to sugar will make it impossible for the teeth to resist decay (bottle tooth decay).
Do not get your child used to sugary or sticky foods. If you keep them away from these foods, they will never feel the need for them. You can provide good nutrition without sugary sodas, fruit juices, candies, cookies, and chocolate. After consuming sugary foods, encourage your child to drink plenty of water. This way, you can prevent the acidic environment that cavity-causing microorganisms need to thrive.
Brushing the teeth is crucial, especially after the last meal at night (for children with teeth). Of course, it is difficult to expect perfect brushing in children as young as 6 months to 1 year, but the important thing is to reduce the microorganisms in the mouth before bedtime and to develop the habit of brushing their teeth.
Should I Clean My Baby’s Teeth?
Absolutely, you should start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a clean cloth or gauze to wipe the teeth and gums after every feeding.
When a few teeth have appeared, it’s time to introduce a toothbrush. Use a small, soft toothbrush without toothpaste, as babies tend to swallow most of the paste. Excess fluoride can cause damage to their teeth if swallowed.
I’m Having Difficulty Brushing My Baby’s Teeth. Do You Have Any Suggestions?
Lay your baby on your lap with their head facing up. If they haven’t yet sprouted teeth, wipe their gums with a damp gauze. If they have teeth, use the same position to brush, and if they are old enough, give them a mirror to see what you are doing.
Is It Harmful for My Child to Have a Dental X-ray?
The dental X-ray machines used today emit minimal radiation, thanks to modern technology and methods. Considering the benefit of accurate diagnosis for any problem, there is no reason to believe that it is harmful.
Why Are Permanent Teeth Important?
The first permanent teeth appear at age 6. This is a time when children have difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene and their diet may promote cavities. However, these teeth will be used for life and guide the placement of other teeth, as well as the formation of the chewing surface. By the time the first permanent teeth emerge, baby teeth will have lost much of their durability and will be more prone to cavities. At this point, it’s important for parents to visit a dentist and start preventive dental treatments.
Can Misalignment in Permanent Teeth Cause Problems?
Misalignment in teeth can cause aesthetic concerns, but more importantly, it threatens oral health. People with crooked teeth are more likely to develop cavities and gum diseases because they can’t clean their teeth properly. In more severe cases, they might face difficult joint problems.
When Should I Take My Child to the Dentist for the First Time?
Visit the dentist as soon as you notice your baby’s first milk teeth and continue these visits periodically. It is very difficult to teach a child not to fear the dentist after they experience pain or problems with their baby teeth. On the other hand, a child who has been regularly visiting the dentist with no issues will find it much easier to accept.
My Child Is Afraid of the Dentist. What Should I Do?
Babies are not born with fears; they learn them. If your child is afraid of the dentist, it may be because you, as a parent, have a fear or discomfort with the dentist yourself. Children take cues from their parents, and if you are scared, they will naturally perceive it as something to fear. First, control your own fears. Another reason could be a negative experience during their first visit. A child who has met the dentist for regular check-ups and understands that the dentist is there to help will be more resilient and less fearful when a problem arises.
How Can I Teach My Child to Brush Their Teeth?
If you do not regularly brush your teeth and visit the dentist, you cannot teach your child these habits. Children learn by example, and you are their role model. No matter how much you explain the importance of brushing or force them to do it, if they don’t see you brushing regularly and enjoying it, they won’t learn. Start by teaching yourself, and the rest will follow naturally.
What Should I Watch Out for When the First Permanent Teeth Erupt?
The first permanent teeth usually seen are the lower first molars. These are crucial teeth in the permanent set, yet they are often the first to get damaged. Since there is no baby tooth above them to fall out and they erupt around age 6, they often go unnoticed by both parents and children. However, they lay the foundation for adult teeth and play an essential role in chewing. If they are not cleaned properly, they can easily decay, affecting the balance of the other teeth. Parents should monitor the eruption of the first molars and have fissure sealants applied to protect them.
What Is the Connection Between Baby Teeth and Asthma?
Researchers are studying the connection between baby teeth and asthma in young children. Baby teeth develop in the womb and accumulate minerals. Scientists believe that insufficient selenium and iron during pregnancy may increase the risk of asthma. This has been confirmed through research on 12,000 upper baby teeth collected over the past six years. By ensuring adequate intake of these minerals during pregnancy, the risk of asthma in the child can be reduced.