Why Fix It if its Just A Baby Tooth?

The habits we learn at an early age will carry on into adulthood. When children are taught to brush and floss twice a day, they will likely carry that habit into adulthood. 

Children's dental care is often overlooked, many people believe those baby teeth are just going to fall out and be replaced with the adult permanent teeth. Baby (primary) teeth are important in providing proper chewing and biting, over all self-esteem, speech development and space for larger permanent teeth to erupt.

Besides the fact that tooth decay is the number one preventable illness in children and millions of school hours are lost due to childhood cavities. If  not treated decay can spread to other teeth and gums causing infection.

Even though your child's baby teeth will eventually fall out, they are still a vital part of their oral health and well being. Caring for baby teeth should be considered one of the most valuable lessons to teach a child.

                                                              ( Next Time...... Nitrous Oxide in the Dentist Office )

Pediatric Dental Infection

The most common dental infection found in children is dental caries which can lead to other dental problems. Infections are caused by bacteria growing in the mouth. Dental decay (cavity) is an infection of the tooth.  Four things necessary for cavities to form 1)  a tooth  2) bacteria  3)sugars or other carbohydrates and 4)time.  Infections can occur in both the primary and permanent teeth.  Antibiotics are sometimes used to control infection prior to pulp therapy or extraction.  Oral exams from a pediatric dentist are the easiest and most accurate way to detect dental infections.

Tooth brushes can play host to infection causing micro-organisms that can re-infect the mouth. It is important to keep your toothbrush clean, sterilize and air dry frequently. American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3 months and/or after an illness.  Along with maintaining a sanitary toothbrush, the use of fluoride in water or toothpaste is the most effective way to prevent dental infections in children.                       Next time...... Why do we need to fix teeth if  "Just a Baby Tooth"?

Pediatric Dental Trauma

Most injuries to primary (baby) teeth occur between the ages of 2 and 3 years, when children are learning to walk and run. Injuries to primary teeth could potentially disturb the development and health of underlying permanent teeth.  A baby tooth may change color after being subjected to trauma by a fall, running into furniture, impact with a blunt object or just rough play.  Teeth may turn dark but in many cases the color will change back to normal after a few weeks.

The best way to preserve a tooth that has been knocked out is to put it back in its socket as quickly as possible.  If immediate reimplantation is not possible, the tooth should be placed in a protective solution (milk or saline).  Every tooth has a protective layer surrounding the root called peridontal ligament which is very sensitive and will dry out and die unless the tooth is immediately place in a protective solution.

Immediate attention by a pediatric dentist is essential and should include a health history, radiographic assessment, examination of mandible, maxilla head and neck.  ( Next time........ Pediatric Dental Infection)