Local Dental Care - Baby Molars Coming In

Dental Care and Baby Teeth, Something To Smile About

Your child's first baby tooth is another milestone in the growth of a child. Parents love to celebrate the tiny, yet momentous steps that pave a child's healthy development.

Babies are born with their primary teeth formed underneath the gums, but they don't start appearing until many months later, usually between six to seven months after birth; however, there is considerable variation in the timing. By the time children are three years old, they usually have a full set of 20 primary teeth

Around age six, your child's jaws begin growing to make room for the permanent teeth. The roots of the teeth anchor them in the bone. As the permanent teeth start to push their way to the surface, the roots of the baby teeth dissolve completely and then the teeth fall out (exfoliate). Eventually, the roots of each baby tooth lose their anchoring power and are nudged out.

Each baby tooth should be replaced by a permanent tooth. The growth that occurs in the back of the jaws creates space for the additional 12 permanent molars.

When Should Children's Dental Care Begin?

Children's dental care should begin within just a few days after birth. Right after each feeding, wipe your baby's gums and inside of the cheeks, roof of the mouth and tongue with a clean damp washcloth or wet gauze pad to remove plaque, the sticky film containing decay-causing bacteria.

As soon as teeth begin erupting through the gums, continue proper dental care by brushing them with a soft-bristled brush. Do not use toothpaste. Regularly check your baby's teeth for any changes. If you notice any white or stained areas, see a pediatric dentist. Around the age of three when each baby tooth has erupted, dental care can continue as you begin flossing your child's teeth (if there is no space between the teeth).

Never let your child fall asleep at naptime or bedtime with a bottle of anything other than water! Milk, fruit juice, formula, or sweetened liquids contain sugars and can cause cavities and make dental care more difficult.

Each Baby tooth is important to your growing child's long-term dental care and oral health. Dental care is simple, yet essential, for a happy, healthy smile.

Since Each Baby Tooth Will Fall Out Anyway, Why Is It Important To Care For Them?

The primary teeth pave the way for your child's permanent teeth. They serve as the foundation for a healthy mouth and gums and proper positioning of permanent teeth.

The primary teeth help children to chew easily, speak clearly and put a great looking smile on their faces. They also provide structure to help shape their faces. If a baby tooth becomes broken or decayed and are left untreated, that can affect your child's erupting permanent teeth, cause them pain and even contribute to other health problems.

Primary teeth serve as natural space maintainers, holding the space open until the permanent teeth are ready to take their place. If baby teeth are lost too early, the other teeth can drift out of their position and invade the empty space. This might cause permanent teeth to come in crooked or unable to erupt into the gum, which leads to malocclusion.

It also can cause a permanent tooth to erupt prematurely, which isn't good for your child's long-term dental health. Be sure to seek dental care if a baby tooth is lost too early.

by Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

Fresh Talk For Your Mouth

As a teen, you've got plenty to do -- going to school, homework, participating in after-school activities, spending time with friends, perhaps working a job, and other time commitments. Caring for your appearance also is a top priority, including your teeth. By doing so, you're rewarded with a bright, winning smile that really attracts attention!

Sometimes I Come Home So Tired After Long, Busy Days, I Don't Feel Like Brushing My Teeth. Does it Really Matter?

Yes, it does! If you haven't brushed your teeth since the morning, your mouth is filled with cavity-causing bacteria. When the sugar and starch from the day's food, snacks, or drinks combine with plaque (that sticky film on your teeth), an acid is produced. That acid attacks your tooth enamel. If this is repeated often, those acid attacks can break down enamel and cause cavities while you sleep. So, those few extra minutes it takes to brush your teeth really are important for cavity prevention.

What Can I Do to Make Sure My Breath Is Really Fresh?

Commercial products claim they will make your breath fresher, but the only way to make sure your breath is truly fresh is to practice good oral hygiene. In fact, too many breath mints and hard candies with sugar can lead to tooth decay. If you are constantly using breath mints, breath sprays, or mouth rinses in an effort to cover up bad breath, you may have a problem that needs correction.

If you neglect daily hygiene over time, bad breath can become a symptom of more serious dental problems. Teeth that are not cleaned properly become a place for bacteria to multiply in your mouth, causing cavities and gum disease. Gum disease produces bad breath and that's gross! So brush, floss, and brush or scrape your tongue.

If you smoke, bad breath comes with the habit. Smoking also puts you at an increased risk for developing gum disease. Brushing and flossing your teeth may slow the development of gum disease but smoking can lead to serious oral health problems, including oral cancer.

Can Dieting or Taking Medications Affect My Oral Health?

Hunger can contribute to bad breath. This is because of the chemical changes that occur as your body turns fat and protein into the energy it needs. Chemical changes caused by taking prescription or over-the-counter medications can also affect mouth odor.

Isn't a Mouth guard Just for Those Who Wear Braces?

No! Every year, more than 200,000 people are treated by dentists and oral surgeons for sports-related injuries, including broken and knocked-out teeth, concussions, jaw fractures, and neck and head trauma. Many of these could be avoided if athletes and sports enthusiasts used a mouth guard. Anyone participating in sports, especially contact sports, should wear protective mouth guards for safety.

Different types of mouth guards provide various advantages and degrees of protection -- from off-the-shelf to custom-fitted.

If you let good oral care habits slip away, you might be setting yourself up for some undesirable or painful events. Taking care of your teeth by brushing at least twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, avoiding smoking, and protecting yourself from injury by wearing a mouth guard does make a big difference. It matters to your mouth -- just a few minutes daily for clean teeth, fresh breath, and a magical smile!

by Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.