Local Dental Care - Baby Tooth Eruption

Tooth Care: Space Maintainers

What happens when a primary (baby) tooth is lost too early? An appliance called a space maintainer will be recommended by your pediatric dentist. The area of the mouth and the age of the child will determine the need for and type of space maintainer.

The primary teeth save the space for the permanent teeth. The 20 primary teeth are replaced by 20 permanent teeth. The six-year molars, twelve-year molars, and wisdom teeth will erupt (come in) in the back of the jaw. The bone will begin to grow around five years of age to make room for these teeth. If a primary tooth is lost before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt, other teeth will drift or tip into the empty space. This may block out the spot for the permanent tooth that replaces the primary tooth. The space maintainer will hold the teeth in their proper position.

Primary teeth may be lost early because of decay, crowding, injury, or improper eruption of the permanent teeth. Most space loss occurs during the first six weeks after the loss of the tooth. This may continue over the next six months. A space maintainer should be placed before this loss occurs. Sometimes, space loss cannot be avoided and your dentist can only attempt to preserve the remaining space.

There are many types of space maintainers, but two are most often used. The band and loop is used to hold the space for one tooth. The lingual arch is used to hold the space for two or more teeth that have been lost from both sides of the jaw.

If a primary molar is prematurely lost and the six-year molar has not yet erupted (come in), the parent must watch closely for the eruption of the six-year molar. This is very important because the six-year molar will rapidly tip or drift forward causing space loss. The teeth that replace the first and second primary molars ordinarily do not erupt until between nine and eleven years of age. The six-year molar must be partially erupted to make the space maintainer for early loss of a second primary molar.

Space maintainers are usually made with orthodontic bands and wires. Two appointments are necessary. During the first dental appointment, an orthodontic band is fitted on the tooth next to the space. An impression is taken. Next, the band is removed from the tooth and placed in the impression. A mold of the teeth is made with the band on the tooth. A laboratory will custom make an appliance to exactly fit the space. During the second appointment, the appliance is cemented in place.

The space maintainer is not removed until the permanent tooth begins to erupt. The parent must be sure to tell the dentist when the permanent tooth is erupting. If the space maintainer is not removed at the proper time, the permanent tooth may come in improperly. Your dentist will inform you of the age when your child's permanent tooth will likely appear. Early tooth loss may cause the permanent tooth to be delayed in its eruption or to erupt earlier than expected.

by Jane A. Soxman, DDS

+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.

Early Child Dentist Visits

Many people don't consider a child's need for pediatric dental care until they actually get their pearly whites. In fact, most kids don't see their child dentist until about two years of age (though they really should have their first appointment by their first birthday). Why spend a lot of time worrying about something that hasn't happened yet, right? While it's true that it's pointless to check an empty mouth for cavities, good child dental care habits begin long before a baby's first baby teeth break through the gums. Ensuring that teeth grow in healthy and in place will result in proper facial arrangement and speaking abilities.

Caring for Your Baby's Teeth!

Whether breast-fed or bottle-fed, baby gums need to be cleaned after every feeding. Just moisten a gauze square and gently wipe away plaque. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle containing anything but water! Sugar could decay teeth beginning to surface. It's also a difficult habit to break, so nix it now before you have to try to pry juice from your 5-year-old's hands.

Healthy Habits Last a Lifetime

Research shows that kids who are brushing their teeth by the age of five will continue this habit all their lives. Begin supervised flossing by this age as well, and be sure to get your child to a dentist by his or her first birthday. Remember that a healthy diet is an important part of good oral health, so reinforce wise food selections during each and every meal. Give your child a head start on good dental health!

+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.