Local Dental Care - Eruption Of Teeth In Children

Ten Tips About Baby Teeth From The Tooth Fairy

I love teeth! They're so shiny, white, and bright! They're so pretty and sparkly. That's why I collect them. But I don't want them until you don't need them anymore, so I wait for the perfect time. It usually begins when you're about five years old or older, but sometimes it happens much later. Some of your baby teeth will start to wiggle and jiggle. Then, they are finally nudged out by your grown-up teeth.

When a loose tooth comes out, that's when I go into action. Collecting teeth is my job. Kids know how much I like teeth, so they save them for me. They put them out at night, sometimes in tiny tooth pillows or plastic cases. Sometimes, I find them underneath pillows when kids are sleeping. I like it when kids think about me. I think each child is special and so are their teeth! That's why I have some tips for keeping your teeth in tip-top shape:

• Brush your teeth in the morning and at night. Twice a day is nice (and needed to keep your teeth healthy.) It's even better if you brush after eating snacks, too.
• When brushing, use just a tiny dab of toothpaste, the size of a match head.
• Brush the outside and inside of every tooth. Brush your teeth for about two to three minutes, about the time it takes to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" eight times!
• When brushing, don't ever eat the toothpaste. It's meant for your teeth, not your tummy.
• Brush your tongue (gently!). Those nasty cavity-causing germs like to hang out on your soft tongue, so you must brush them away.
• Floss every day. Dental floss is a piece of string that looks like thread or yarn. It's used to clean stuff out between your teeth. Ask an adult to help you. Those cavity-causing germs also like the places between your teeth to hide. Flossing gets rid of them.
• Eat healthy snacks. Your teeth like fruits, vegetables, bread, milk, and cheese that give them vitamins, minerals, and other good things for them to grow strong and shiny.
• Don't eat too many sugary foods like candy, cakes, or other desserts. Sugar is the food that those nasty cavity-causing germs really love! It gives them just what they need to go to work causing cavities on your teeth.
• Don't crunch on ice! (My friend, the Ice Fairy, doesn't like it either!) Ice wears down your teeth really fast.
• Visit a dentist twice a year. Dentists are my friends because they help to keep kid's teeth in really good shape.

Take good care of your teeth. Your baby teeth have a big job. They help your permanent teeth (the ones you'll keep forever) come into your mouth, at just the right time, in the right way. Once each baby tooth has done it's job, then I'll come collect it.

In the meantime, take the ten tips for turning your teeth into tip-top shape. (Say that ten times!)

Healthy teeth rule! The Tooth Fairy is cool!

Love,

The Tooth Fairy

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.

Dental Health Care: Discolored Primary Teeth

Discoloration of the primary (baby) incisors (front teeth) is most often noticed by parents. This discoloration may be extrinsic or intrinsic. Tooth brushing or a professional cleaning can remove extrinsic discolorations or stains. Intrinsic discoloration occurs within the tooth structure.

Some apple juices and grape juice may cause staining. This type of stain can usually be brushed off the teeth at home. If your child has a tendency to stain, try diluting the juice with water. Once the enamel begins to break down, the staining may be more difficult to remove because it is deep down in the tiny holes created by break down of the enamel. This could progress on to decay. If the teeth appear to be a dull, white color in some spots, discontinue juices completely or dilute the juice with water. Juice is twenty times more decay-causing than milk. Juices should be limited to mealtime only.

Liquid and chewable medicines have a high sugar content and most are colored with dye. A light yellow-brown film may cover the teeth. This occurs most often on the bottom front teeth. Bedtime tooth brushing is especially important when your child is taking liquid or chewable medicine. Tetracycline is the only antibiotic that could cause damage to the developing permanent teeth if given before eight years of age.

Iron in chewable or liquid vitamins may cause staining of the grooves of the primary (baby) molars. This is difficult to remove, but overall is harmless.

You must brush your child's teeth until six years of age. Bedtime brushing is the most important time of day. Staining may occur if plaque remains on teeth for a long period of time. Plaque is made up of cells from the inside of the mouth, bacteria, and food residues. Teeth may appear to be discolored, but a thorough brushing may remove this stain. Do not use toothpaste until two years of age. Baking soda toothpaste seems to be best for stain removal.

Bacteria called chromogenic (colored) bacteria may cause a dark green or brown stain on the teeth. This stain is usually along the gum line. These bacteria are harmless and will one day just disappear. We do not know why they grow in some mouths and not others. A professional cleaning is usually necessary to remove this stain.

Intrinsic discoloration cannot be removed by cleaning the teeth. This occurs because the enamel on the primary teeth did not form in the usual manner. This may be inherited from one or both parents. It does not necessarily mean that the primary teeth will be more susceptible to decay or that the permanent teeth will have the same appearance.

Trauma to a primary incisor (front tooth) may cause discoloration. If the blood vessels deep inside the tooth break, the blood may be absorbed into the tiny tubes that travel from the inside of the tooth to the outer enamel layer. This is similar to a black and blue mark on the skin. Enamel is translucent, so you can see the evidence of the damage. This may resolve without treatment, but your pediatric dentist should be consulted. A procedure to remove the tissue from the inside of the tooth (pulpectomy) may be necessary.

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.