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The last baby tooth falls out usually at age twelve. A child can have a toothache that can last many years if fillings are not done. A baby tooth can also become infected and cause serious health problems if not treated promptly when a cavity develops.
As soon as a tooth erupts into the mouth, it can be susceptible to tooth decay. The first baby tooth erupts in a baby's mouth at around seven months of age. At this time a parent should lightly brush the tooth with a soft baby toothbrush. No toothpaste is necessary at this time. Warm water and light brushing are sufficient to cleanse the teeth and remove plaque.
Teeth look like bones but they are not the same thing. Once erupted into the mouth, teeth are fully formed. Additional drinking of milk provides no benefit to teeth. In fact, milk is high in sugar and can help to cause cavities if teeth are not properly cared for.
A baby tooth lost due to trauma will not survive if reimplanted into the mouth. The tooth will either become infected or it will fuse to the bone and cause a problem for the child. Permanent teeth however, should be reimplanted into the socket as quickly as possible if they become dislodged.
A pacifier used beyond the age of one can cause serious skeletal deformation in the jaws. The skeletal changes in the jaws can not only affect the way the mouth and teeth look, but it can also adversely affect a child's speech. A good way to encourage your child to get rid of their habit is to have the child leave the pacifier under their pillow for the "Tooth Fairy". This is usally an acceptable way for a child to get rid of their habit.
Taking a drink to bed causes cavities. If a child has a drink during the night or wants one to help them fall asleep, bacteria will have not defenses against them and they will start to produce tooth decay. When you sleep, your salivary contact is decreased. Saliva is what rinses your teeth and coats them to protect them. In addition, a child having a drink without brushing their teeth also can help to promote tooth decay.
Children's teeth can get decay in between them much more readily than adults. Only 25% of children have space in between all of their teeth; therefore, they need to floss to get the food and plaque out. Most children are uable to floss their own teeth. Assistance from an adult is imperative.
For optimal teeth and heathy gums, the American Dental Association recommends that children get their teeth cleaned every six months. At the time a child gets his teeth cleaned, the dentist also checks for cavities and makes sure growth and development are normal for the jaws. Some orthodontists actually recommend that their patients in braces need professional cleaning every three months.
Cavities are not hereditary. The only thing that is handed down from generation to generation are habits. Usually a child will follow after his parents in their dietary habits. People that eat more sugary foods usually have children who eat more sugary foods. It is proven that a diet high in sugar promotes tooth decay. In addition, oral hygiene habits are learned. Parents who brush and floss three times a day usually teach their children to do the same.
Braces do align teeth and make smiles beautiful. However, more importantly, straight teeth are easier to clean and take care of. Cleaner teeth lead to healthier teeth and gums.
Pediatric dentist are to teeth what Pediatricians are to the body. A pediatric dentist has two to three years more dental training than a family dentist. The extra years of training are devoted entirely to the additional needs of children.
Sometimes this is true, however, many children can benefit from interceptive techniques. It can be very beneficial for a child if jaws are manipulated and growth spurts are maximized. An orthodontist or pediatric dentist can do many different techniques to help a child's teeth come in less crooked. Techniques include extractions, space maintainers, expanders, and even early braces.