If you’ve ever wondered whether baby teeth can have cavities, how to clean baby teeth, when to take your baby to a first dental appointment, or how to prevent long-term problems, then this article is for you! Read this article about baby teeth and their correct care.
Can baby teeth have cavities?
Definitely! Early childhood cavities can develop quickly, as the enamel (or the protective layer of the teeth) is thinner on baby teeth. Since it is usually more difficult to brush a baby’s or toddler’s teeth than an older child’s, cavities are common. Some reasons for cavities in baby teeth include these:
Infrequent brushing and cleaning
High sugar intake
Genetic factors
Feeding right before going to bed
Unhealthy diet
In addition, it is essential to have a regular check-up by a dental professional to prevent cavities.
Should my dentist fix cavities in baby teeth?
The general answer is yes. Dentists should fix cavities in baby teeth. However, your dentist will evaluate each case on an individual basis. For example, if a baby tooth is about to fall out naturally, it may not need to be fixed. Also, a dentist would probably not fix baby teeth if the procedure is:
Highly painful
Too pricey
Time-consuming
Overly complicated
Baby teeth will eventually fall out on their own. However, there are some reasons why we should fix them.
When to fix baby teeth?
If the tooth is decayed, damaged, or causing pain to the child, it is essential to cure it. Some reasons for fixing baby teeth include:
Prevent and cure pain: When a baby tooth is damaged or decayed, it can cause discomfort to the child. Fixing it can help relieve the pain.
Prevent infections: Decayment of baby teeth can lead to infections. By fixing baby teeth, we prevent infections.
Maintain oral hygiene: Baby teeth are essential in maintaining space for the teeth to come. In addition, healing baby teeth can help keep the hygiene of the rest of the teeth.
Prevent future complications: Cavities in baby teeth and poor hygiene can lead to more serious complications, for example, abscesses or gum disease.
In general, dentists must decide when a baby tooth is worth fixing. However, as parents, we can always seek a second opinion.
How can I care for children’s baby teeth?
As parents, in addition to all your new responsibilities, you may not be very aware of how necessary it is to take care of teeth from the time they erupt. Nevertheless, following a few simple steps and tips, tooth care becomes part of a healthy routine that will benefit your children for a lifetime.
Tips to prevent cavities in baby teeth
Maintain good hygiene: After feeding and before going to bed, clean the gums with a wet cloth or gauze pad. Once the first tooth appears, brush it at least twice a day in addition to going to the dentist.
Limit sugary foods and drinks: Avoid giving your child snacks or beverages with high sugar content. Avoiding these foods, especially before going to sleep, improves their dental hygiene.
Avoid sharing bacteria: It is recommended not to share utensils or toothbrushes with your child to avoid passing cavity-causing bacteria.
Avoid sleeping with a bottle: Giving your children bottles to go to sleep is one of the most common reasons for baby teeth to get cavities. Some professionals refer to early cavities as baby bottle tooth decay. From 12 months, make the transition to a cup.
Visit the dentist regularly: From the time the first tooth erupts or around the first teeth, it is necessary to visit the dentist to prevent cavities. In addition, visiting the dentist before your children have problems will help them feel confident about going to the dentist.
Maintain a healthy diet: A balanced diet without added sugar helps overall dental health. For example, eating plenty of calcium and phosphorus helps avoid cavities in the long run.
Make water the drink of choice in your household: Drinking plenty of water helps prevent decay-causing bacteria. In addition, drinking water as a family instead of sugary beverages helps our children create good habits for their teeth and health.
Some literature suggests that prolonged breastfeeding protects baby teeth. However, even if you breastfeed, you should clean your child’s teeth as soon as they erupt.
When to take my kid for a first dental visit?
You should take your children for their first dental visit when their first tooth erupts or when they are one year old. The dentist can observe the development of the gums and teeth. This first visit helps children to develop better dental hygiene habits and to see the dentist as friendly. Your dentist can also advise you on common issues such as thumb sucking and even when it is considered normal.
Baby teeth may fall out independently, but they need care just like permanent teeth do.
During this first visit, the dentist will examine their gums, teeth, and jaw and advise you on oral and dental hygiene. Remember that one of the most significant advantages of visiting the dentist from an early age is that it makes future visits less intimidating for your child.
The bottom line: cavity prevention is a family matter
Whether it’s your first or seventh child, creating healthy routines starts with your example and your routines. Consider brushing your child’s teeth along with a routine such as music, a book, and then bedtime at the same time every day. The routine you create helps your children get used to reminding themselves to remember their dental hygiene. If your children see how well you take care of your own teeth, they will mimic you and take care of their teeth.
We love to see the children around us laughing and smiling! What better way to see healthy and beautiful smiles than with prevention?
February is a month to focus on children’s dental health, also known as NCDHM (National Children’s Dental Health Month). This year, the theme is “forever in my brushing era,” which implies a commitment to maintaining oral hygiene habits throughout life, starting in childhood.
In this article, learn about:
The history of NCDHM
How to improve your children’s dental hygiene – whether you are a parent, teacher, or dentist
How to prevent dental problems for healthier smiles
And more about this month’s goals for dental prevention.
Forever in my brushing era
Truth is, that every day should be about children’s dental health day.
Overall, children need to develop daily dental habits, and in addition, they need to see the adults around them actively acquiring good dental habits. If the adults raising the children care for their teeth, children will have the best example to follow.
Remember how healthy teeth and gums are the formula for:
A healthy circulatory system: Many studies have shown a link between a lower risk of heart disease and a healthy circulatory system by caring for the gums.
A great, white smile: There is nothing nicer than seeing full smiles with healthy teeth and feeling the joy health brings to our children.
Maximum enjoyment of food: With healthy and strong teeth, our children will grow into adults who can always eat their food and chew without problems.
Living a whole life: A whole life begins with small habits. An adult with healthy teeth can live a fuller and happier life.
Why take care of children’s teeth only one month a year? Let’s make the most of this month and remember it the whole year.
Why February? A bit of NCDHM history
In the United States, the ADA (American Dental Association) established in 1981 that February would be National Children’s Dental Health Month to encourage good hygiene habits. In the past, this month was celebrated as a daily observance and then weekly.
Initially, only two cities held this monthly observance, until it became a nationwide program.
Objectives of NCDHM
Some of the key objectives for this National Children’s Dental Health Month include:
Education
Children’s primary caregivers, parents, teachers, and the children themselves need to know the importance of proper tooth brushing.
In addition, education is given on various themes, such as flossing techniques, the importance of regular check-ups, and balanced nutrition to care for teeth. For example, limiting sugary, starchy, and highly acidic foods is important for educators to know.
Prevention
If children only go to the dentist for cavities, they probably won’t like it. To prevent problems, visiting the dentist regularly helps children lose their fear of the dentist. Having regular dental cleanings prevents cavities.
Community Engagement
During the month of February, different organizations promote oral health awareness. In addition, dental professionals, schools, and other organizations are encouraged to care about children’s teeth. Some schools and community centers, for example, teach children the best hygiene practices.
Universal Access
This month, a special emphasis is placed on universal and affordable care. This way, the general public and underserved communities can access affordable dental services.
Activities and involvement
To improve children’s involvement in NCDHM, many diverse activities are planned, according to each region’s creativity.
For parents
Protect your children’s baby teeth. From the first baby tooth or the first birthday, children should have their first check-up. Baby teeth play a fundamental role in the development of permanent teeth. Protecting them helps kids in many ways:
Cavity prevention: Protecting baby teeth helps children prevent tooth decay in both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
Speech development: Teeth help in pronouncing words correctly and facilitate certain sounds.
Baby teeth guide permanent teeth: Baby teeth serve as a guide for the permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position.
Jaw development: Baby teeth help shape the jaw and facial structure.
During the month of February, parents can participate in different workshops and educational activities, visit libraries, and even get good discounts on primary dental care.
For teachers
Teachers can create coloring or essay contests with dental themes, plan field trips to dental clinics, and use the month according to their creativity to give children’s dental hygiene the importance it deserves. Teachers can make crafts and art related to teeth and dental hygiene. Depending on the level of the children, they can also create age-appropriate lessons for their classrooms. Teachers can have a major impact on dental hygiene as educators of children.
For dentists
Some creative activities for dentists include:
Social media campaigns: Dentists can run social media campaigns, such as sharing reels and videos. They can also promote events to reach a larger audience.
Promotional events: Dentists can give away prizes or giveaways of oral care products, as well as free appointments for dental check-ups.
Educational material: Dentists can create or distribute educational materials for children, such as coloring pictures, activities, and others.
Community outreach: Dentists can make visits to schools or community centers and participate in prevention events.
This month is essential for dentists so they can reach out to children.
Healthy smiles start here
NCDHM plays a significant role in reducing dental problems in children, but you can celebrate this month throughout the year.
Celebrate the accomplishments of the children around you, and congratulate them every time they brush their teeth. Set an example with your healthy teeth, and get regular check-ups.
Remember: healthy teeth mean better overall health.
How often is it advisable for children to visit the dentist? Many parents have probably asked themselves this same question. From what age should parents take their children to the dentist? How can they prepare their children for their first dental visit? When do their children need an early visit? How often do they need to change toothbrushes? Should the dentist fix baby teeth? This article answers these questions for parents and more.
When should your child first visit the dentist?
The frequency with which children should visit the dentist depends on:
Dental hygiene: If dental hygiene is inadequate, children might need to visit the dentist more often.
Risk factors: Some risk factors may include poor diet (e.g., a diet high in sugary drinks or excessive sweets) and genetic factors that may predispose a child to gum problems.
In general, it is recommended that children visit the dentist every six months. However, if a child requires it, the frequency may be greater.
The dentist for different stages of life
During different stages of life, children need different dental care. Here are some considerations for each stage of growth, from toddlerhood to teenagers:
Toddlers (Ages 1-3)
The first visit to the dentist should be when the child turns one year old or when the first tooth appears. This allows the dentist to evaluate the gums, teeth, and jaw. In toddlers, it is important to establish a healthy relationship with the dentist from the first visit.
Parents should pay special attention to dental hygiene and oral habit formation of infants and toddlers. Some prevention tips at this age include the following:
Avoid going to bed with a bottle.
Transition from a bottle to a cup from one year of age.
Wash the gums with a washcloth or gauze after eating and before going to bed.
Start brushing their teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts.
Avoid giving food that sticks to the teeth, or that contains a lot of sugar.
Parents should keep themselves informed about dental hygiene, visit the dentist every six months, and in case the children need it, visit the dentist more frequently.
Preschoolers (Ages 4-5)
Preschool age is similar to toddlers, with the difference that preschoolers can begin to wash themselves, almost as a game. Children at this age need to continue to develop the habit of brushing their teeth three times a day.
To support them in creating good hygiene habits, parents can play music, stories, and apps, and find other ways to engage preschoolers in brushing their teeth.
Again, dental visits should be every six months, unless children have a lot of cavities, poor dental hygiene, or poor eating habits.
At this stage, visits to the dentist for thumb-sucking issues are also frequent.
Schoolers (Ages 6-12)
School-age involves the falling out of baby teeth, making it crucial that children have regular visits to the dentist at this stage.
At this age, the dentist will probably put sealants on the molars to strengthen them.
In addition, parents are encouraged to take their children to an orthodontist when the permanent teeth and molars begin to erupt. Additionally, to prevent accidental tooth loss, children should wear mouthguards when playing some sports.
If children have many cavities, visits to the dentist should be frequent. If the teeth are healthy and the parents and children follow the recommendations for dental hygiene, one visit every six months will suffice.
Teenagers (Ages 13-18)
As children approach adulthood, it is necessary to evaluate whether wisdom teeth should be extracted. Additionally, many teens have to wear braces or other forms of orthodontic correction at this age.
The frequency of visits to the dentist will continue to be every six months, but will be shortened depending on some factors:
If they need regular orthodontic adjustments.
If they don’t brush their teeth on a regular basis.
Whether they eat a lot of junk food or sweets.
If they need other treatments, such as wisdom teeth removal.
If they have a lot of cavities.
Teenagers may need reminders to brush their teeth, but in general, dental hygiene habits form in childhood. Teenagers benefit most from having role models who care for their teeth at home.
FAQ for parents
Below, we present you with some frequently asked questions for parents:
Your first visit: How to prepare my kid for the dentist?
Parents can help prepare their kids for their first visit to the dentist by playing games, showing videos, and explaining in a calm manner what is going to happen. It is essential for parents to create a good relationship with the dentist and show their kids that there’s nothing to be afraid of.
How can I help my child develop good oral hygiene habits?
Set an example. If parents brush their teeth frequently and develop a routine for their kids, they will develop good hygiene habits too.
What are the best practices for brushing children’s teeth?
Parents need to create routines for brushing children’s teeth. They can angle the brush 45 degrees so that the gums are properly cleaned. Remember that children need supervision until they are at least seven years old.
How often should I replace my child’s toothbrush?
As a rule of thumb, parents need to replace toothbrushes every three months, or when the bristles start to fray. Additionally, parents must ensure that the toothbrush is thoroughly rinsed and dry after each use.
Should my dentist cure baby teeth?
Yes, the dentist should cure baby teeth. However, if a baby tooth is about to fall or if the treatment is too complex or costly, the dentist should consult with the parents to decide on each tooth.
How often should my child visit the dentist?
It is recommended that children visit the dentist every six months. When there are some risk factors involved, such as poor hygiene, the visits should become more frequent.
Visit the Dentist
Parents should support their children in the different stages of their development, and take them to the dentist at least every six months to ensure their dental health. Parents and children need to visit the dentist on a regular basis.
As parents, we often hear conflicting information about our children’s oral health. One common misconception that circulates among parents is the belief that baby teeth don’t matter because they eventually fall out. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Pediatric dentistry experts strongly emphasize the importance of baby teeth, and in this article, we aim to debunk this myth and shed light on why these tiny teeth play a crucial role in the development of your child’s oral health.
Myth: Baby Teeth Are Disposable
Baby teeth are indeed temporary, but they serve essential functions during your child’s early years. Here are some reasons why they matter:
Speech Development: Baby teeth help your child form sounds and words correctly. Losing them prematurely due to decay or other issues can hinder speech development.
Proper Nutrition: Chewing is crucial for breaking down food into manageable pieces for digestion. Baby teeth enable your child to eat a varied and balanced diet, which is essential for growth and development.
Space Holders: Baby teeth act as natural space holders for the permanent teeth developing beneath them. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, surrounding teeth may shift, potentially leading to crowding issues when the permanent teeth come in.
Confidence and Social Interaction: Healthy baby teeth contribute to your child’s self-esteem. Children with dental issues may be self-conscious about their smiles and avoid social interactions.
Oral Health Habits: Teaching your child proper oral hygiene from a young age is crucial. Caring for baby teeth sets the foundation for lifelong dental habits.
Myth: Baby Teeth Don’t Get Cavities
Baby teeth are susceptible to decay, just like adult teeth. Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to pain, infection, and a host of other issues. If left untreated, it can even affect the development of permanent teeth.
Myth: Pediatric Dentists Aren’t Necessary for Baby Teeth
Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s oral health. They are trained to address the unique needs of young patients, including infants and toddlers. Regular visits to a pediatric dentist are essential for monitoring your child’s oral development and preventing dental issues.
Myth: It’s Normal for Children to Experience Toothaches
Toothaches in children are not normal and should never be ignored. Pain can be a sign of dental problems, and timely intervention is crucial to prevent further complications.
Caring for Your Child’s Baby Teeth
Here we present you five tips to take good care of your child’s smile:
Start Early: Begin cleaning your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth even before teeth emerge.
First Dental Visit: Schedule your child’s first dental appointment by their first birthday or when their first tooth emerges.
Oral Hygiene: Teach your child to brush their teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears.
Diet Matters: Limit sugary snacks and drinks and encourage a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Regular Check-Ups: Visit your pediatric dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
Steps to Take When Your Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out.
If the baby tooth is lost, here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do when your child’s baby teeth start falling out:
Stay Calm and Reassure Your Child: Losing a tooth can be a bit scary for kids, so stay calm and reassure them that it’s a natural process.
Gently Remove the Tooth: If the tooth is loose and ready to come out, you can gently wiggle it or let your child do so. Never force a tooth out; it should come out naturally.
Clean the Area: After the tooth comes out, rinse your child’s mouth with warm water to ensure it’s clean.
Apply Pressure if Needed: If there’s bleeding, have your child bite down on a clean gauze pad or a clean piece of cloth for a few minutes. This should help stop the bleeding.
What Not to Do
While it’s essential to know what to do, it’s equally important to understand what not to do:
Do not pull the tooth out forcefully.
Avoid excessive poking or prodding of the loose tooth.
Don’t worry too much if your child swallows a loose tooth; it’s not harmful.
Natural Remedies for Pain
Some children may experience mild discomfort or pain when a tooth is loose or falls out. You can consider these natural remedies to ease the discomfort:
Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek for 15 minutes.
Offer a soft, cold treat like yogurt or a popsicle.
Encourage your child to rinse their mouth with saltwater (dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water).
How to Mark the Moment?
Many parents like to mark every milestone reached by their children, if this is your case here are some ideas for you:
Keep a Record: Many parents like to keep a record of their child’s lost baby teeth. You can create a special tooth fairy pillow or box where your child can place the tooth for the Tooth Fairy’s visit.
Celebrate the Moment: Losing a tooth is a big deal for a child, so celebrate the moment with a ceremony burning the tooth and pledging to take good care of the rest of their smile.
Schedule a Dental Check-Up
After your child loses a few baby teeth, it’s a good time to schedule a dental check-up with your pediatric dentist. They can assess your child’s oral development and ensure everything is on track.
Baby teeth do matter—a lot! Proper care of these teeth sets the stage for a lifetime of good oral health. As parents, it’s our responsibility to dispel myths and prioritize our children’s dental well-being from an early age. By understanding the importance of baby teeth and maintaining a healthy dental routine, we can ensure our children’s smiles remain bright and problem-free as they grow.
Remember, healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth, and a lifetime of confident smiles for your child.
Whether you are reading this article as a new parent looking to prevent your child from suffering from dental anxiety, or you are the caretaker of a child already affected by a severe fear of dentists and dental things related. We are here to help you.
One of the pillars on which we based the creation of our South Davis office in Bountiful, Utah, is that no child should be prevented from receiving dental care due to fear or anxiety.
What Is the Right Way to Introduce Your Child to The Dentist?
Like most things, fear of the dentist is more straightforward to prevent than correct. We have gathered a list of tips for introducing your child to his new friend: The Dentist.
The sooner, the better: Some dentists recommend bringing your child to his first dental appointment as early as their 1st year of life. Remember that the sooner they get familiarized with their dentist and all the stimuli in the dental office (smells, colors, sounds, etc.), the more comfortable they will feel in their future visits.
Create a daily routine: One of the most significant gifts you can give your child is health. Taking care of their smile is part of basic hygiene, so teach them how to brush and floss properly and make a habit of it.
Communicate: Use easy and simple language. Avoid using terms that could scare your child, like “might hurt a little” or “pain.” Anxiety is often produced by creating the worst outcome/scenario in our minds. Help your kid keep a positive mindset.
Choose the right dentist: Not all dentists are the same. We recommend bringing your child to a pediatric dentist who specializes in treating kids. In some cases, dental sedation is the best treatment for kids who need dental procedures. Our experience in sedation and the equipment of our South Davis office have been crafted to make your kid’s appointment the most soothing experience for both your child and you.
Make it fun: Play with them. Just as you play doctors, you can play going to the dentist. Create a song. Put on music to dance or tell your kids a story about dental care while brushing and flossing their teeth. No one is scared of what they enjoy.
Be a role model: Nothing teaches your kids better than the example you set. Make sure they hear you asking to brush their teeth and see you doing it. You can make dental health family time. Extra points if you bring your child to your dentist’s checkups.
If you haven’t started with these tips, don’t worry! It is always possible to do so. Don’t beat yourself up; parenthood does not come with a guidebook. Commend yourself for reading this and taking the steps needed to give your child’s smile the brightest future from today on.
Does your Child Suffer from Anxiety?
It might be specific to the dental visits, or your child might be a wonderful little human full of sensibility; in any case, you will benefit from giving your offspring tools to handle stressful and highly sensory moments.
Let’s go over some simple techniques.
Meditation
You would be amazed at how easy it is for kids to connect to their higher version through meditation.
You can sit with them for 5 minutes daily and make it a habit for the whole family. The benefits of a peaceful mind and spirit will be ripe fruit for parents and kids.
Remember that meditation is not just sitting silently and turning off your thoughts, but learning not to follow them.
You can also listen to some meditation music (easy to find on YouTube or Spotify for free) or choose a short mantra to chant with them during the meditation.
Feel free to try different techniques until you find what works better for your family.
Breathwork
The term “breathwork” sounds intense, but it doesn’t have to be. At all!
Breath work can be as simple as taking a moment to breathe correctly, which can help calm people during high-stress situations AND fill their bodies with the oxygen their cells need.
One of the most straightforward techniques you can try with your child (and yourself) is to deeply inhale the air through the nose, gently bringing the air to the belly -you will know if you are doing it correctly if your lower ribs expand instead of your belly-and slowly exhale through the nose. Repeat this process for as long as possible, trying to keep the exhaling time longer than the inhaling time.
Breathing correctly can prevent oral problems such as cavities or gum disease. Learning to breathe can also reduce teeth grinding or jaw clenching, usually due to stress.
Grounding
Taking time out can be so underrated, but it is an easy solution. There are different ways to ground yourself, but you need to find the best way to bring yourself back into the body after being up in the clouds of the mind.
You can practice grounding by removing your shoes and walking or standing in the grass or dirt in your garden; kids usually love this.
Another way to get back into the body is to MOVE, put on your kid’s favorite song, and go wild from start to finish. Have a break to play tag or challenge them to a short race. When you get your child to focus on their senses, they will be less likely in their mind (where all the fears are born).
Studies also show that people who exercise for 30 minutes three to five times a week are less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Exercise gives you endorphins, and this hormone boosts your mood and sense of happiness.
A sleeping schedule
If you think everything is wrong, take a nap!
Humans function much longer without sleep. There are more possibilities for a child to be cranky, anxious, or fully go into tantrum mode if they are not fully rested.
Creating an adequate sleeping schedule and following through with bedtime is essential for your kid’s growth, brain development, as well as their mental & emotional health.
The smaller your child, the more sleep he’ll need.
Don’t Let Anxiety Win
Even if it’s hard initially, make the biannual appointments to clean and check your child’s smile.
There is no challenge that will be too much for your child if you guide them loving and patiently. And remember, you are not alone! Just contact us and allow us to help you on this journey of keeping your family’s smiles shining.
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