DENTAL FOR KIDS
Tooth
Decay
Tooth decay
is the major cause of tooth loss in children. Tooth
decay, or dental caries, is caused by bacteria. For
a tooth to decay, three elements are needed: plaque,
food containing sugars and starches, and a susceptible
tooth.
When foods
containing sugars and starches are eaten, the bacteria
in plaque holds these acids onto the teeth, where they
attack the enamel for twenty minutes or more. After
repeated attacks, the enamel may break down, forming
a cavity.
Periodontal
Diseases
Periodontal
diseases afflict the gums and bones that support the
teeth. Although these diseases are most common among
adults, some form of periodontal disease affects 39
percent of children and 68 percent of youths in the
United States, according to a recent survey. Studies
show that many periodontal problems which occur later
in life could be caused by the neglect of oral care
during childhood and adolescence.
An early
sign of periodontal disease is swollen gums that bleed
easily, especially diseases are caused by the bacteria
in plaque. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing
and flossing--along with regular professional cleaning
by a dentist --toxins created by these bacteria can
irritate the gums, making them tender and likely to
bleed. If not treated at an early stage, bleeding gums
can lead to tooth loss.
|
Chewing surface decay |
Decay between these teeth |
Decay along this gum line |
Regular
Dental Visits
Your dentist
and the other members of the dental health care team
play important roles in helping your child maintain
good oral health. Regular dental visits will ensure
that any dental problems are diagnosed and treated early,
when damage is less and restorations are smaller. Take
your child to see a dentist by the first birthday, and
return for follow-up visits as often as recommended.
You can make
an appointment for your child with your own dentist
or with a pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentists have
special training in dental care for children. A number
of parents choose a pediatric dentist to provide their
child's dental care on the same basis that they select
a pediatrician to provide their child's medical care.
Many Children who are apprehensive, or who have medical
or emotional problems, can benefit from the pediatric
dentist's special training.
The dentist
will assess the growth of the child's teeth and jaws,
and monitor the eruption and shedding of teeth. When
necessary, X-rays will be taken to see how the teeth
and facial bones are developing and to find any hidden
decay. Your dentist may also advise you on ways to prevent
malocclusion and provide you and your child with information
on proper home dental care.
Sealants
Sealants are used
to protect the chewing surfaces of the child's back teeth.
These surfaces often decay because they contain pits and fissures---tiny
grooves and depressions---where plaque accumulates.
Sealants are clear
or shaded plastic materials that can be painted onto these
decay-prone surfaces of the teeth. By forming a thin covering
over the pits and fissures, the sealants keep plaque and food
out of the crevices in the teeth, reducing the risk of decay.
Sealants should
be applied as the permanent teeth erupt. Ask your dentist if
your child can benefit from sealants.
A single toothbrush bristle is too large
to reach inside
the fissure. |
Chewing surface before sealant |
Tooth protected by shaded sealant |
Baby
bottle Tooth Decay
As soon as teeth
appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One serious form of
decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This
condition can occur when an infant is allowed to nurse continuously
from a bottle of milk, formula, sugar water or fruit juice
during naps or a night. If these liquids pool around the child's
teeth during sleep, the teeth will be attacked by acids for
long periods of time, and serious decay can result. When putting
your young child to bed, use only water in the bottle, or
give the baby a pacifier.
Thumbsucking
Sucking is one
of a baby's natural reflexes, much like grasping for objects.
It is a normal infant habit, which makes the child feel secure
and happy.
Thumbsucking usually
decreases after the age of two. In some cases, if a
child continues vigorous and prolonged thumbsucking past the
age of four, if can create problems with normal dental development.
Ask your dentist whether your child's oral habits may cause
future dental problems.
Teething
When teeth begin
erupting, some children may have sore or tender gums. Teething,
which may start around six months and continue until age three,
can make them irritable. Gently rubbing your baby's gums with
a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze pad can
be soothing, You can also give the baby a clean teething ring
to chew on. If the baby is still cranky and uncomfortable,
consult your dentist or physician.
Contrary to common
belief, fever is not normal for a teething baby. If your infant
has a fever while teething, call your physician.
First
Dental Visit:
One to
five years
Take your child
to see the dentist by the first birthday. Your child's
first visit to the dentist can be a pleasant adventure. Talk
about the visit in a positive matter-of-fact way, as you would
any important new experience. Explain that the dentist is
a friendly doctor who will help the child stay healthy.
During the first
visit, the child's mouth will be examined for tooth decay
and other problems. The teeth may be cleaned by the dentist.
The dentist will explain how the child's teeth should be cleaned
at home, how diet and eating habits affect dental health,
and methods to ensure that your child gets sufficient fluoride.
Most children have
a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three
years old. Primary teeth are just as important as permanent
teeth -- for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition,
the primary teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent
teeth.
You should start
brushing the child's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts.
Flossing should begin when all the primary teeth have erupted,
usually by age 2 to 2.5. By age 4 or 5, the child may be able
to brush under your watchful eye.
The preschool years
are important time to help your child establish good eating
habits, since you can control you child's diet successfully.
At this age, many children need to eat snacks or "mini-meals."
They cannot always eat enough food at meantime to get all
the nutrients and energy they need. Help your child choose
sensible snack--foods that don't promote tooth decay.
Six to twelve years
As your child nears
age 6, the jaws grow, making room for the permanent teeth.
At the same time the roots of the primary teeth begin to be
absorbed by the tissues around them, and the permanent teeth
under them prepare to erupt.
The first permanent
molars usually erupt between ages five and six, so they are
sometimes called the six-year molars. Because the six-year
molars do not replace any primary teeth, they are often mistaken
for primary teeth. You should remember that they are permanent
teeth and must be cared for properly if they are to last throughout
your child's lifetime. These molars are especially important
because they help determine the shape of the lower part of
the face They also affect the position and health of the other
permanent teeth.
Sometimes a primary
tooth is lost before the permanent tooth beneath it is ready
to erupt. If primary teeth are lost too early, nearby teeth
can tip or move into the vacant space when the permanent teeth
are ready to come into the mouth, there will not be enough
room. As a result, they may erupt out of their proper positions,
leading to malocclusion. To avoid such future problems, your
dentist may recommend using a space maintainer to reserve
space for the permanent teeth.
A
space maintainer reserves space for the eruption of a permanent
tooth.
Your dentist may
recommend that your child use an over-the-counter fluoride
mouth-rinse daily, after age six. Be sure to instruct and,
if necessary, supervise your child in the use of these mouth rinses.
By age 7, Your child should be able to brush alone. Flossing
however, is a more difficult skill to master . At about age
8, the child should be able to floss his or her own teeth
under your supervision.
Your child's future
eating habits are often set during this period. You should
explain to your child how foods affect the teeth. Let the
child know that clean teeth are less likely to decay and that
brushing the teeth after eating can help prevent dental disease.
Your child should
continue to visit the dentist regularly. this allows your
dentist to identify and treat dental problems at an early
stage, before serious damage occurs. During these visits,
your dentist will do what is necessary to protect your child
form dental disease. Sealants and topical fluoride gels or
solutions may be applied to the teeth if needed. The child's
teeth will be professionally cleaned to remove calculus and
stains.
regular dental
visits are especially important during puberty when the body's
hormone levels rise. This can exaggerate the way the gums
react to the toxins in plaque, increasing the chance for inflammation.
Overbite,
receding lower jaw
Malocclusion
Malocclusion is
a condition in which the teeth are crowded, crooked, and out
of alignment with each other, Malocclusions can occur at any
age, but they become particularly noticeable between the ages
of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth are coming in.
In some cases,
malocclusions are inherited -- for example, the jaw may be
too small for the teeth. In others, the malocclusion results
from factors in the child's life, such as thumbsucking, dental
injuries, or the early loss of primary teeth.
Whatever the cause,
teeth that are crowded or out of position may be more difficult
to clean. As a result, they are more likely to decay, and
the gums more likely to become inflamed. This can affect the
child's appearance.
Corrected
overbite
General dentists
and pediatric dentists try to prevent malocclusions. When
necessary they may refer your child to an orthodontist, a
dentist who specializes in the treatments of such problems.
Some preventive orthodontic treatment starts as early as age
3 or 4. During the growth period, conditions such as tooth
crowding may be corrected with an orthodontic appliance.
Mouth
protectors and Oral Injuries
Injuries to the
teeth occur easily, especially during childhood. But many
injuries can be avoided by using mouth protector. Mouth protector
guard against injuries to the entire mouth area, especially
the teeth, lips, cheeks and tongue. These resilient shields
can also protect against other injuries by cushioning blows
that might otherwise cause concussions or lead to jaw fractures.
Have your child
wear a mouth protector, especially if he of she is participating
in any activity which may involve falls, head contact, tooth
clenching or flying equipment -- anything from basketball
to skateboarding, gymnastics to soccer.
There are three
types of mouth protectors: ready-made, mouth-formed and custom-made.
Ask your dentist for advice on the selection and use of mouth guards.
Many
injuries can be avoided by using mouth protectors.
If, despite precautions,
your child sustains a facial or jaw injury, see your dentist
immediately. If your child's tooth is knocked out, rinse it
in cool water. Do not scrub it! If possible, put the tooth
back into its socket and hold it in place for five minutes.
If this cannot be done, put the tooth in a cup of milk or
water, or wrap it in a wet cloth
Take the child
and the tooth to the dentist at once. Your dentist may be
able to replant the tooth. in many cased, teeth that are
replaced in the mouth within 30 minutes reattach themselves
to the jaw and function normally.
Tips
for parents
It's not difficult
to help your child maintain a healthy smile. Here are a few
tips for good oral health :
-
Take
your child to see the dentist regularly, beginning at six
months of age.
-
Put
only water in a child's naptime or bedtime bottle.
-
Start
cleaning your child's mouth daily.
-
Start
brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts.
-
Make
sure your child gets the fluoride needed for decay-resistant
teeth. Ask your dentist how this should be done.
-
Brush
and floss your child's teeth daily until the child can be
taught to do this alone. Then encourage him or her to brush
and floss.
With your help,
in combination with their own efforts and regular professional
care, your daughters and sons can grow up cavity-free and
keep their teeth all their lives.
