Sometimes it is obvious that your child has tooth decay: you can see a dark spot on the tooth. But most of the time, you may not even know there's a problem until you see your dentist. That's because your dentist often can find early changes in your teeth that happen before a cavity develops or gets so large you can see it. Look around your child’s mouth regularly to notice any changes. Help your child to brush.
When should a parent become concerned about their child’s teeth? As young as 6 months, children begin to have several teeth, and by age 2 will have 20 deciduous or ‘baby’ teeth. As soon as teeth come in, the parents should start keeping these teeth clean daily. Both parents, grandparents and other caregivers can all be helpful in teaching young children about the importance of healthy teeth.
The most crucial thing to remember is if you can see a tooth, it needs to be brushed every day. Even with good daily brushing, sometimes a tooth can develop a cavity. At first, the tooth structure softens. Sometime, a white spot appears. However, some decay cannot be visually seen and can only be found through the use of an X-ray.
Is it important to fill baby teeth? Yes, baby teeth last for years, and cavities are filled much more easily when they are small. If we do not remove the decay, infection can spread into the gums and even cause your child’s tooth to hurt. The front baby teeth stay until age 6 or 7, when they get loose and the permanent front teeth erupt. The back deciduous teeth last until the age of 10 to 12.
What else can I do to keep teeth healthy? After a child is 2 years of age they can easily rinse the mouth and not swallow toothpaste. It is important at this time to use toothpaste with fluoride. Children should be seen by the dentist before the age of 2 and have their teeth cleaned, polished and an in-office fluoride treatment to prevent decay. When teeth are erupting prior to age 2, the gums will appear red and slightly swollen. This ‘teething’ lasts for a week or two until the tooth breaks through. By age 2 your dentist needs to see if a child’s teeth are lining up correctly.
A few things to remember to give your child the best home care:
Always clean teeth after meals. This can be done with a toothbrush or even a wet wash cloth.
Be sure to avoid foods and drinks high in sugar content. This is the fuel that bacteria need to make holes through the enamel of teeth.
Brush after meals and at bedtime. If you cannot brush, be sure to rinse with water after eating.
Never, ever allow a child to sleep with a bottle of sugar drink. If you really need to see the damage that can happen within less than a year, search the internet for ‘nursing bottle syndrome.’
Floss teeth that are touching. This should be done daily but several times a week is still effective. Most people need to practice flossing to become efficient but give up from the amount of time and frustration. Try using the ‘flossers’ that make it easier. Be sure to floss gently and below the gumline for three minutes daily.
Use fluoride treatments every six months to prevent decay from starting. It is safe and natural.
Parents can prepare their young child under the age of three for the first dental visit. The knee to knee approach to clean teeth is a very effective method to help your child have an easy first appointment. Place a pillow over the knees of two people and gently brush your child’s teeth. Don’t rush it. Make it a fun time with both parents. Help your baby to be very comfortable with fingers in their mouth. When the first visit occurs, the dentist and parent will examine the teeth in the same manner. Try it, it works!
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