Your Child’s Dental Health: Tips, Treatments, And Common Myths Debunked
As dental care and treatment methods develop, a healthy mix of prevention and cure is the way to go.
“Why take time off from work to take your daughter to the dentist? Her baby teeth are going to fall out anyway!”
We often hear such conversations in households. When children have a toothache, many of us rely on home remedies like painkillers, cloves, or clove oil to alleviate the discomfort. Many parents think that spending money on dental treatments is unnecessary because baby teeth are temporary. This belief, however, is completely incorrect.
Importance of Baby Teeth :
- They ensure the proper growth of both the upper and lower jaw.
- They aid in clear pronunciation and speech development.
- They help children learn how to break down food with their front teeth and chew with their molars.
A total of 20 baby teeth, or primary teeth, including incisors, canines and molars, begin to appear between six to eight months of age. These teeth continue to emerge until the child is around two to three years old. At about six to seven years of age, baby teeth start being replaced by permanent ones. This typically continues until the child is 13 to 14 years old.
Between the ages of seven and 14, a child’s mouth contains a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, often leading to confusion for both parents and children.
Initially, a child’s baby teeth appear to be arranged in a single row. As the child grows, gaps start to develop between these teeth, usually beginning around the age of three-and-a-half to four years. During this time, bones in the body, including the facial and jaw bones, also develop in height and width. Alongside the 20 milk teeth, permanent teeth begin to develop. The new permanent teeth push against the roots of the milk teeth, causing their roots to weaken and the teeth to become loose, eventually leading to partial or complete loss of the milk teeth. At this point, the white crown of the permanent tooth starts to emerge from the gum.
Potential Issues:
- The presence of both milk and permanent teeth in the mouth simultaneously, often referred to by parents as “double teeth.”
- A delay in the shedding of milk teeth.
- Permanent teeth emerging in incorrect positions or becoming trapped in the jawbone.
- Children who are just learning to walk and run often stumble and fall, which can cause front teeth to break or become discoloured. Also, children who fall asleep with a bottle of milk in their mouth may develop decay in their front teeth.
Causes of Tooth Decay:
Food particles, if not thoroughly cleaned from the teeth and gums, can be trapped on and between the teeth. The bacteria and viruses present in saliva begin to break down these food particles. Within a few days, teeth may start to darken. In the early stages, there is often no pain, so the problem may go unnoticed by both children and parents. Over time, however, this can lead to toothache and may lead to the following problems :
- Decayed teeth can make children reluctant to chew, which may hinder their growth and overall nutrition.
- Tooth abscesses can lead to bad breath and potentially spreading infections that could affect the digestive system.
- Toothache may cause children to avoid brushing, leading to further decay and oral health issues.
- Food particles trapped in decayed or broken teeth can cause gum problems and further oral complications.
- Broken or discoloured front teeth can impact a child’s self-esteem.
Treatments:
- For surface or superficial decay, the affected area is cleaned and filled with material like cement or similar substances.
- In early signs of decay, a fluoride varnish helps strengthen both milk and permanent teeth, by hardening the enamel and slowing the decay. Applying fluoride varnish three to four times a year can be beneficial.
- For advanced decay, a root canal may be performed to save the tooth from extraction.
- In cases where the tooth is too damaged to be saved, extraction may be necessary.
- If a tooth is extracted prematurely, a space maintainer should be placed to ensure proper alignment of the incoming teeth and prevent future orthodontic issues.
Earlier, these treatments were often performed by a family dentist. With the rise of pediatric dentistry specialists, visiting a pediatric dentist is now more advantageous. They use advanced equipment and modern treatment methods designed to minimize children’s anxiety, making the experience less stressful for both children and parents.
The use of sedation for treating children’s teeth has become less common now. Instead, alternative methods like laughing gas or nitrous oxide (N2O) help the child relax, reducing anxiety and restlessness.
Under light sedation, children can watch TV or use a mobile device, allowing the dentist to perform the treatment smoothly and effectively. Administering laughing gas through a mask helps calm the child and enables work on multiple teeth—usually two to four—at once, saving time and reducing the number of visits.
Best Practices :
– Ensure a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients to support dental health.
– Rinse your mouth thoroughly after meals or brush without toothpaste.
– Brushing teeth before sleeping helps remove food particles and plaque that can cause decay overnight.
– Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush gently with proper technique (circular motions and up-and-down strokes).
– Use a flouride-based toothpaste—1000 ppm fluoride for children under three years of age and 1350-1500 ppm fluoride for those over three years.
– Children involved in sports should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth from injury.
– Wherever available, consider dental vaccinations and treatments like fluoride mouthwash, fluoride varnish, and pit and fissure sealants to protect teeth from decay.
– Limit consumption of sticky or sugary foods between meals.
– Avoid using toothpicks, pins, or similar objects to remove food particles from between teeth, as they can damage gums and teeth.
– Address thumb or finger-sucking habits early, as they can affect tooth alignment and oral development.
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Dr. Shweta Dudhat
The author is a renowned and experienced endodontist and cosmetic dental surgeon.