Pediatric dentists want you to know how important baby teeth are. Pediatric dentists often do not see a child at the dentist’s office until your child already has a problem. The health of baby teeth in children has a direct impact on the health of permanent teeth. Your dentist can be a great partner in caring for your child’s baby and permanent teeth.
The enamel of baby teeth is thinner than the enamel of permanent teeth. This means that tooth decay can happen quickly. Pediatric dentists recommend that parents begin to clean baby teeth as soon as the first teeth appear. This can be around six months of age. Dentists also recommend parents schedule the first dental appointment before the child turns one year of age.
Tooth decay in baby teeth can cause several issues. Teeth may fall out, or a pediatric dentist may have to extract them. Early tooth loss can affect speech and language. Cavities can be painful for children and may affect their ability to eat. Severe cases can affect the health of the entire mouth. Taking care of baby teeth has a direct impact on the health of the permanent teeth that will erupt later.
Many parents think that baby teeth are not very important since baby teeth fall out during childhood by design. Pediatric dentists disagree strongly with this sentiment. Practicing healthy oral hygiene habits should begin when the first baby teeth appear around six months of age. Baby teeth serve several important functions.
As baby teeth come in, children can chew and grind with baby teeth. Even just a few teeth can help babies to tear and chew food. Growing toddlers and small children need the nutrients from foods that require chewing. Losing baby teeth early due to decay can make chewing foods more difficult. Children could also experience more pain and soreness because of cavities and tooth decay.
Baby teeth are much smaller than permanent teeth. Often baby teeth have large gaps between them. This is normal, and these teeth still serve an important function. Pediatric dentists want parents to know that baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth. If baby teeth fall out or a dentist extracts them because of decay, the permanent teeth underneath may erupt out of alignment. This can affect the other permanent teeth that surround the misaligned tooth.
Your pediatric dentist can help you with any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health. Your child can get a teeth cleaning and, in some cases, a protective fluoride varnish. Parents can work with dentists to learn and reinforce good oral hygiene habits like proper brushing and flossing. Learning these habits when your child is young helps to establish a good foundation of lifelong healthy habits. Regular visits to the pediatric dentist throughout childhood can help to identify any potential dental issues in the early stages.
Request an appointment or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
Our pediatric dentist says you can start using fluoride toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to erupt. Developing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life can help them to avoid oral health issues like tooth decay.Tooth decay is the leading dental issue that affects children, and acids made…
Pediatric dentistry has many techniques veering toward the prevention of dental problems. Fluoride is a natural element capable of strengthening teeth. It also protects the teeth from bacterial damage. Adding fluoride to water is a good way to introduce the element into your child’s teeth and gums. If you want to know how fluoridated water…
A pediatric dentist recommends parents have their infant visit six months prior to the first teeth emerging. Read on to learn tips for caring for your infant's first teeth. Parents are also encouraged to bring their infants to the pediatric dentist after their teeth first emerge. This review offers tips from a pediatric dentist on…
Our pediatric dentist says you can start using fluoride toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they start to erupt. Developing good oral hygiene habits early in a child’s life can help them to avoid oral health issues like tooth decay.Tooth decay is the leading dental issue that affects children, and acids made…
Pediatric dentistry has many techniques veering toward the prevention of dental problems. Fluoride is a natural element capable of strengthening teeth. It also protects the teeth from bacterial damage. Adding fluoride to water is a good way to introduce the element into your child’s teeth and gums. If you want to know how fluoridated water…