A child’s happy smile is priceless. When you want to ensure that your child’s smile stays bright and strong, there’s no better ally than a pediatric dentist.

Temporary Teeth Have Permanent Implications

IMPORTANCE OF MILK TEETH

Why do we need to take care of milk teeth??

Baby teeth may not last forever, but they do have a lasting impact. Strong baby teeth make learning to speak and crunching on nutritious foods easier, and a healthy smile boosts confidence. Baby teeth also act as placeholders for permanent teeth, so any disruption to these temporary teeth that goes untreated can cause serious problems later.

Some of the conditions most likely to be seen by pediatric dentists include:

Dental caries and tooth decay

Despite the fact that milk teeth are eventually shed to be replaced by permanent teeth, it is still important that these teeth are well maintained. Children have an increased likelihood of developing tooth decay and therefore cavities that can expose the inner dental pulp to bacteria and cause toothaches. Children tend to be more susceptible to dental plaque and tooth decay because they are more likely to eat sugary, sticky foods and not maintain their dental hygiene as well as older people might. Therefore, pediatric dentists commonly encounter tooth decay.

• Gingivitis and dental abscesses are just as likely to occur in children as in adults.

Regular dental health checkups along with the maintenance of good oral hygiene through daily brushing and flossing of the teeth should help children maintain a healthy set of teeth for life. Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the examination and management of dental health in children.

Dental procedures are generally perceived as intimidating and painful experiences that most would like to avoid, especially among children. However, it is vital that children have their milk teeth checked regularly by pediatric dentists for evidence of caries and tooth decay.

Teething problems

Pediatric dentists are consulted if teething is delayed in an infant. The development of the teeth and jaws needs to be appropriate to allow the infant to be suitably weaned onto solid foods. Good and timely teeth eruption is also important in the development of appropriate speech.

Malocclusion or misaligned teeth

A malocclusion describes when the teeth of the upper and lower jaws do not meet when the jaws are closed together. This can create problems with eating or speaking. The malocclusion may cause may pain on biting or injuries to the insides of the mouth, gums and tongue. This can be treated with braces.

Pediatric Dentist Treatment Options

Types of Pediatric Dental Procedures

Kids come in all shapes and sizes, and so do their dental needs. That’s why pediatric dentistry includes a wide range of treatments:

• Cleanings and preventive care. A checkup with a pediatric dentist every six months is best. It’s a chance for your child’s teeth to have a professional cleaning. Plus, they get to review their own dental hygiene skills. It also allows the dentist to keep a watchful eye on their oral health. That’s important because identifying problems early allows for them to be treated when it’s easier and more affordable to do so.
• Fluoride treament. Fluoride treatments help strengthen teeth. They can prevent cavities and discourage the buildup of tartar and plaque.
• Fillings. If decay or injury damages a tooth, a filling can restore its stability and function.
• Pit and fissure Sealants. Thin layers of resin-based material, sealants are bonded to the chewing surfaces of teeth. They protect hard-to-clean areas from decay. In fact, they can cut the risk of cavities by up to 80%.
• Bonding. Bonding is a quick, easy way to fix teeth that are crooked, chipped or discolored. During the procedure, the dentist sculpts a white resin directly onto the tooth to repair the flaw.
• Extractions. When a tooth is too severely damaged to repair, an extraction may be necessary to remove it.
• Crowns. Crowns are steel or porcelain caps that replace the outer portion of the tooth. They’re used when a damaged tooth isn’t strong enough to hold together with just a filling. A crown can restore both the look and function of the tooth.
• Emergencies/Trauma- Dental emergencies can be terrifying. In some cases, a delay in care may result in the loss of a tooth that could have been saved. Most pediatric dentists encourage patients to call if they have a dental emergency. Depending on the situation, the staff may provide instructions and direct them to come in for an appointment. Or they may advise them to seek immediate care elsewhere.
• Braces
• Habit breaking appliances- for treatment of habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting lip biting, mouth breathing, nail biting, cheek biting and bruxism.

How does tooth decay affect baby teeth?

Tooth decay in the primary (baby) teeth of young children is also called early childhood caries. Caries is another word for a cavity. It happens when the child’s teeth come into contact with sugary foods and drinks often and for long periods of time. These drinks include fruit juices, soda and other drinks with sugar.

Parents are often surprised to learn that tooth decay can begin as soon as a baby’s teeth come in, usually by age six months. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, and the infection can spread. If decay is not treated, it can destroy the baby teeth.

Tooth decay can also have an effect on a child’s general health. If a child has tooth pain, she may have trouble eating. The child may not get enough vitamins and minerals to grow up healthy.

Why are baby teeth important?

Baby teeth hold space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room for them. This may cause adult teeth to be crowded and crooked. Crooked teeth may be hard to keep clean.

If a child’s baby teeth are healthy, it is more likely his adult teeth will be healthy too. Children who have decay in their baby teeth are more likely to have decay in their adult teeth.

Decayed and crooked teeth also can affect your child’s self-esteem. Tooth decay is not only unhealthy, it also looks bad. If your child has tooth decay he may feel bad about his smile. On the other hand, a nice-looking smile can give your child confidence at school.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR CHILD’S TEETH HEALTHY

Children learn healthy habits from their parents and caregivers. You can start good habits if you clean your child’s teeth every day, feed your child a healthy diet and take her to the dentist regularly.

CLEAN YOUR CHILD’S TEETH AT HOME

• Wipe the baby’s gums with a clean, wet gauze pad or washcloth after each feeding, before sleep. This removes bits of food that can harm teeth that are starting to come in. It also helps the child get used to having his mouth cleaned.
• As soon as the first tooth appears, start brushing your baby’s teeth twice a day (morning and night). Use a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Until the child is three years old, use no more than a smear or grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. For children three to six years old, use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• The American Dental Association recommends that you brush your child’s teeth until she is at least six years old. When your child is old enough to do the brushing, watch to make sure she is not “rushing the brushing.” Children should be taught to spit out toothpaste, not swallow it.

BOTTLES, PACIFIERS AND BREASTFEEDING

• Infants should finish their bedtime or naptime bottle before going to bed.
• After your child’s first tooth comes in, he should not be allowed to breastfeed constantly or fall asleep while breastfeeding.
• Infants should not be put to bed or allowed to fall asleep with a bottle that contains milk, formula, fruit juices, or any liquids with sugar. Even watered-down drinks can damage teeth.
• If your child uses a pacifier, don’t dip it in sugar or honey. Also, do not put it in your mouth before giving it to the child. Decay-causing bacteria in your mouth can be passed to your baby.
• A bottle should not be used as a pacifier. Frequent sips of sugary liquids can cause tooth decay.

TRAINING (“SIPPY”) CUPS

• To lower the risk of tooth decay, try to get your child to drink from a cup by her first birthday.
• Do not let your baby constantly sip on liquids with sugar (including juice drinks). Offer these liquids only at mealtimes. Keep the cup out of reach while the child is in a car or stroller. If your child is thirsty between snacks or meals, offer water in the cup.
• Training cups should be used for only a short time. Once your child has learned how to sip, the training cup is no longer needed and should be set aside.

A HEALTHY DIET BUILDS STRONG TEETH

• Limit between-meal snacks.
• Avoid using sweet foods and drinks to reward your child.
• If your child eats sweets, make sure it is with a meal.
• Infants and young children should have a healthy diet.

FIRST DENTAL VISIT

•  It’s helpful to have the first visit after the baby’s first tooth appears but no later than the first birthday. This first visit is a “well-baby checkup” for your child’s teeth.
• At this visit, we can check for decay and other problems. We will show you how to properly clean your child’s teeth.
• Also,we will offer you advice on your child’s diet, pacifier use, and oral care products for your family. We will tell you how to prevent injuries to your child’s teeth and mouth and what to do in case of a dental emergency.
• We will tell you how your children should get the ideal level of fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.

Do Baby Teeth Need Fillings

After informing a parent their child has a cavity, the most common question I am asked is: “Do baby teeth need fillings? Can’t we wait till the tooth falls out?’

The answer is not always simple. As pediatric dentists we look at key factors to answering the questions.

Three Factors Influencing if Baby Teeth Need Fillings

1. How close the tooth is to falling out
2. Calculating the size of the cavity
3. Assessing your child’s cavity-risk.

How Close is the Baby Tooth To Falling Out?

If the tooth is going to fall out soon we may recommend just improving oral hygiene with brushing and flossing as well as coming to regular check-ups with your pediatric dentist. This will typically be recommended if the baby tooth is loose or is projected to get loose within the next 6-12 months.

We assess this by seeing how much of the baby tooth root is still present.  As the adult tooth prepares to come in, it will dissolve the baby tooth root more and more over time. X-rays are necessary to answer this question.

Calculating the size of the cavity

Most cavities we see on the X-ray or on our clinical exam have reached the inside layer of the tooth called dentin.  Dentin is softer and more porous than the outer white layer called enamel.  When the cavity is in that inner layer, it can spread fast.  At that point we recommend filling the tooth with a white filling.

If the cavity is bigger and on multiple surfaces of the tooth we may recommend the tooth be restored with a crown.  If the cavity is so big that a filling or crown wouldn’t fix the tooth properly, your pediatric dentist will recommend extraction.

Sometime the tooth only has a tiny “Pre-cavity spot”.  Pre-cavity spots are areas of demineralization where the cavity- causing sugar bugs are just starting to invade and infect tooth. They have barely scratched the surface of the outer enamel layer of the tooth.  In these cases, pediatric dentists will monitor these areas to see if they get bigger.  They will recommend you improve oral hygiene and maybe even increase the number of times a day you clean your teeth.

Assessing your child’s cavity risk

Cavities are infections and may recommend fixing cavities on baby teeth if it is a significant infection. Cavities can pass from tooth to tooth, just like a cold.  So, if you leave a cavity in a tooth long enough, your child’s other teeth can start to get cavities.  The cavity causing sugar bugs multiply and they swim around in the same environment – your mouth!

Have the Cavity Evaluated

In short, if you have a high risk of getting even more cavities, your pediatric dentist may recommend fixing the tooth so your other teeth are protected.

As you can see, there are many factors in deciding whether a tooth needs to be fixed.

f your child starts complaining about tooth pain, he could have a cavity. It’s important to bring him to Divine Dental to remove the decay and have a filling put in place. Quick action may help save the tooth and avoid the need for a more expensive crown. Consider why it’s important to save baby teeth and three of the most common filling materials used on children.

Why Fix Baby Teeth?

You might be thinking, “My child still has all his baby teeth. Cavities don’t matter at this point. I’ll just wait until the affected teeth fall out and then be concerned with the health of his permanent teeth.”

This is a common misconception, one that could lead to a lifetime of problems. Here are several important reasons to treat the cavities in your child’s baby teeth seriously:

• Your child’s smile affects his self-esteem.
• Baby teeth guide the eruption of permanent teeth. If they fall out prematurely because of decay, permanent teeth could erupt in the wrong place.
• Baby teeth allow for good nutrition by facilitating proper chewing.
• Baby teeth help your child develop proper speech.
• Decayed baby teeth could affect the development of permanent teeth.
• Failure to treat cavities could put your child in great pain and possibly lead to the formation of an abscess.

Types of Fillings Used on Children

Amalgam Fillings

As the oldest and most trusted filling material, amalgam is made of a variety of metals, including silver, copper, zinc and mercury.

Advantages: Amalgam is very strong and durable, making it a great choice for molars exposed to extreme bite pressures. It’s less expensive, yet lasts at least 10 years. The material also takes less time to apply than other types of fillings, meaning the process can usually be completed in a single visit.

Disadvantages: Amalgam is metallic colored and can corrode or tarnish over time, causing discoloration where the tooth meets the filling. Also, since a traditional amalgam filling isn’t bonded to the tooth, more of the tooth structure must be removed to create a secure pocket to hold the filling.

White Fillings

Options in this category include composite resins, glass ionomers and a combination type called resin-modified glass ionomers. The process involves first removing the decay and cleaning the remaining tooth surface. Then the white filling is applied one layer at a time, each of which is exposed to intense light to harden the material. The tooth and filling are then shaped and polished so the end result looks and feels as natural as possible.

Advantages: The attractive finish makes white fillings virtually undetectable. Being bonded to the tooth helps seal the filling and prevent future decay. Also, less of the tooth needs to be removed because bonding holds the filling securely in place without the need to form a pocket.

Disadvantages: White fillings are more complex, meaning your child must spend more time in the chair having the process completed. The cost is also higher, and white fillings may not last as long as amalgam.

Sedative Fillings

These are used to reduce pain caused when the center pulp of the tooth becomes irritated and inflamed. A sedative filling reduces the chance of saliva or bacteria leaking into the tooth and irritating the pulp in the future. Common types include zinc oxide and eugenol, both of which also often contain clove oil.

Unlike more traditional fillings, sedative fillings don’t require drilling. Instead, they are applied directly onto the tooth. This makes the solution great for children who have difficulty sitting still in the dentist’s chair for an extended period. Resin or glass ionomers may be used in combination with sedative fillings to replaced decayed sections of the tooth.

Sedative fillings are only used if a child’s tooth has been damaged by decay or trauma and requires immediate pain relief. The filling can stay in place for several months or even a few years, provided your child maintains good oral hygiene. Regular dental visits may also be necessary to make sure the filling is still doing its job.

Do you let your baby sleep with a milk bottle in the mouth? This practice can result in a condition called nursing bottle caries. Read about the symptoms, causes, and ways to prevent this condition.

Nursing bottle caries is a type of tooth decay also known as early childhood caries/nursing bottle syndrome/rampant caries.

In which Age Group, is Nursing Bottle Caries Usually Seen?

Nursing bottle caries is usually seen in toddlers and infants.

Commonly Affected Teeth:

• Upper deciduous dentition (milk teeth) are affected.

• Affected tooth parts involve enamel, dentin and pulp.

Why does Nursing Bottle Caries Affect Only the Upper Milk Teeth and Not the Lower Milk Teeth?

The lower milk teeth are not affected by nursing bottle caries because:

• The tongue protects the lower teeth by its cleansing action on the lingual surface (surface of teeth facing the tongue) of the lower teeth.

• Constant flow of saliva from the submandibular salivary gland cleanses the lower teeth.

Causes of Nursing Bottle Caries

• Breast feeding at night to make the children to sleep.

• Bottle feeding of milk and juices.

• Use of pacifiers which are coated with honey or any other artificial sweeteners to stop the baby from crying.

• Habit of keeping milk/sugary content in the child’s mouth for a prolonged time.

Treatment

• If the caries is diagnosed at an early stage, then flouride application on the teeth will prevent worsening of caries.

• If the caries involves only enamel (outermost layer of the tooth), then restoration (tooth filling) can be done.

• If the caries involves enamel and dentin (the inner layer of tooth next to enamel) then restoration (tooth filling) can be done.

• If the caries involves enamel, dentin and pulp (the innermost layer of the tooth), depending upon the extent of the caries in the pulp, pulpotomy (partial removal of the pulp) or pulpectomy (complete removal of the pulp chamber) can be done.

What are the Measures to be Taken to Prevent Nursing Bottle Caries?

Attention to infants’ oral health is highly essential. Educating the parents regarding the effects of early childhood caries and thereby preventing the tooth decay is important. The following steps are helpful in preventing nursing bottle caries:

• Avoid feeding milk while the child is asleep.

• Clean the child’s mouth after feeding milk, juices, food etc.

• After giving milk to child, make the child drink water.

• Decrease the consumption of sugar of the child especially in between meals.

• Clean the baby’s gums atleast once in a day using a wet gauze.

• After the eruption of child’s teeth, brush them gently with a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.

• Avoid dipping pacifiers into honey or any other sweetening agents.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to Avoid Nursing Bottle Caries?

Nursing bottle caries can be prevented by:

Before tooth eruption, gently wipe the child’s gums with a wet cloth after every bottle feed.
As the tooth erupts, begin to brush the baby’s tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Brush for at least two minutes using back-and-forth scrubbing.
Start to wean the milk bottle from the child when they are around one year old.
Do not put the child to sleep with a milk bottle.
Bring the child to the dentist for early dental checks.
Give fluoride supplements.
Brush twice a day. Once in the morning, and once after the last food or milk feed, just before bedtime.

2.What Are the Causes of Nursing Bottle Caries?

Babies who are bottle-fed are more susceptible to nursing bottle caries, as the bottle nipple often stays in the mouth for longer duration; the newly formed teeth get damaged as the milk can form a coating on the teeth and cause cavities. Pacifiers coated with milk or sugar can also cause nursing bottle caries.

3.What  is Known as Nursing Bottle Syndrome?

Nursing bottle tooth decay is caused when a child goes to bed with a nursing bottle filled with juice or milk. This is also known as nursing caries or baby bottle caries. It often affects children between one and two years of age.

4.Is It Possible to Reverse Nursing Bottle Caries?

Suppose nursing bottle caries are detected in the beginning. In that case, it can be reversed with fluoride treatments, but as decay progresses, restorative dental treatment may be used to treat the cavities.

5.What Are the Symptoms of Nursing Bottle Caries?

The distinguishing feature of nursing bottle caries is the decay on the upper front teeth. Tooth decay can appear as brown spots on the teeth. The children might experience swelling around the teeth and pain as the decay worsens.

6.Which Baby Teeth Are Barely Affected by the Nursing Bottle Syndrome?

The lower incisors (lower front teeth) are mildly affected or completely healthy in patients with nursing bottle caries.

7.Does Alignment of the Teeth Affect Bottle Feeding?

Prolonged bottle feeding can make the top front teeth slant outward, and the lower front teeth slant inward. As a result, the palate may become narrower, and the alignment change may affect the child’s chewing ability.

8.Why Is Long-Term Bottle Feed Not Recommended?

Extended bottle feeding is not recommended for babies because it causes dental caries and can lead to abnormal tooth alignment, affecting the child’s dental development and feeding ability.

9.Will There Be Speech Problems Due to Bottle Feeding?

Bottle feeding for a prolonged period can cause an open jaw that can affect the child’s speech. An open jaw makes it harder to pronounce certain sounds. Also, when the child has a pacifier in their mouth, it affects their vocal play because of restricted tongue movement leading to delayed speech development.

10.When Should Bottle Feed at Night Be Stopped?

It is recommended to stop night bottle feeding from 12 months of age. By this period, babies get enough nutrients from the food they consume throughout the day.

11.When Is It Recommended to Stop Bottle Feeding?

It is recommended to stop night bottle feeding between 12 to 18 months of age. And it is advised to introduce a cup as early as six months of age.

12.Is Nursing Bottle Caries Occurring Due to Negligence?

The nursing bottle caries is a sign of neglect. Anyone taking care of the child should properly maintain tooth health and check for the early signs of tooth caries.

13.What Is the Logic Behind Nursing Bottle Caries?

Nursing bottle caries develop when the child’s teeth come into frequent contact with sugar. Bacteria present in the mouth feed on the sugar, multiply and produce acid that attacks the tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay

The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Run your tongue over this area in your mouth, and you will feel the reason why: These surfaces are not smooth, as other areas of your teeth are. Instead, they are filled with tiny grooves referred to as “pits and fissures,” which trap bacteria and food particles. The bristles on a toothbrush can’t always reach all the way into these dark, moist little crevices. This creates the perfect conditions for tooth decay.

What’s more, a child’s newly erupted permanent teeth are not as resistant to decay as adult teeth are. The hard enamel coating that protects the teeth changes as it ages to become stronger. Fluoride, which is found in toothpaste and some drinking water — and in treatments we use here at the dental office — can strengthen enamel, but, again, it’s hard to get fluoride into those pits and fissures on a regular basis. Fortunately, there is a good solution to this problem: dental sealants.

Dental sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that smooth out the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, making them resistant to decay. A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, require more expensive dental treatment later on, or, most importantly, cause your child pain.

How Sealants Are Placed

You can think of a sealant as a mini plastic filling, though please reassure your child that it doesn’t “count” as having a cavity filled.

Because tooth enamel does not contain any nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require numbing shots.

First we will examine the tooth or teeth to be sealed, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed.

The tooth will then be cleaned and dried. Then we will apply a solution that will slightly roughen or “etch” the surface, to make the sealing material adhere better.

The tooth is then rinsed and dried again. The sealant is then painted on the tooth in liquid form and hardens in about a minute, sometimes with the help of a special curing light. That’s all there is to it!

Taking Care of Sealants

Sealed teeth require the same conscientious dental hygiene as unsealed teeth. Your child should continue to brush and floss his or her teeth daily and visit us for regular professional cleanings. This will give us a chance to check for wear and tear on the sealants, which should last for up to 10 years. During this time, your child will benefit from a preventive treatment proven to reduce decay by more than 70 percent.

Fluoride is a natural mineral. It contributes to the development of strong teeth and helps prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is particularly helpful in the early stages of dental caries. With topical fluoride treatments, dental caries can be addressed in its microscopic stages before it does any notable damage to the teeth.

How does fluoride protect against tooth decay?

Cavities develop when bacteria clings to teeth and turns into sticky plaque. As plaque sits on the teeth, it starts to erode the enamel and gum tissue. Of course brushing and flossing as well as regular visits to the dentist help get rid of excess plaque – but some inevitably develops. Fluoride provides extra protection against the damage plaque can do.

Can fluoride treatments reverse tooth decay?

Fluoride treatments can indeed reverse early tooth decay.

A tooth’s outer layer of enamel either acquires more or loses some minerals every day. When the plaque acid eats away at the layer, this leads to a loss of minerals or demineralization. Too much demineralization can lead to tooth decay. Fluoride helps the teeth remineralize, which means it helps repair early decay and become stronger.

Fluoride treatments in children under the age of six means the mineral becomes incorporated into the development of their permanent teeth. As a result, their adult teeth grow stronger and more resilient. Children who have fluoride treatments have teeth that are less vulnerable to decay.

Who should get fluoride treatments?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years have some form of fluoride every day. This daily fluoride may come in toothpaste or fluoridated drinking water.

Fluoride treatments are safe and effective. Fluoride has been used for decades to protect tooth enamel in kids and adults.

How are fluoride treatments applied?

A fluoride varnish or gel can be brushed onto your child’s teeth by a dentist or your primary care provider. The treatment takes just a minute to apply. Your child can eat and drink shortly afterwards – at the most they must wait about 30 minutes. Fluoride treatments may be applied every 3-6 months and to baby teeth when they first appear.

When it comes to fluoride, more isn’t better. Using toothpaste, having fluoridated water, and/or professional fluoride treatments on a timetable recommended by us is enough. Avoid allowing your child to swallow or “eat” toothpaste or get into fluoride supplements if you have them in the house.

Once your child has a tooth, your doctor may recommend that your child receive fluoride varnish treatments in the our clinic to help prevent tooth decay. This can be done 2 to 4 times per year. The number of treatments depends on how likely it is that your child may get a cavity.

What is Fluoride Varnish?

Fluoride varnish is a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse. Fluoride varnish is made with fluoride, a mineral that can strengthen tooth enamel (outer coating on teeth).

Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.

Is Fluoride Varnish Safe?

Fluoride varnish is safe and used by dentists and doctors all over the world to help prevent tooth decay in children. Only a small amount is used, and hardly any fluoride is swallowed. It is quickly applied and hardens. Then it is brushed off after 4 to 12 hours.

Some brands of fluoride varnish make teeth look yellow. Other brands make teeth look dull. However, the color of your child’s teeth will return to normal after the fluoride varnish is brushed off. Most children like the taste.

How is Fluoride Varnish Put on the Teeth?

Fluoride varnish is painted on the top and sides of each tooth with a small brush. It is sticky but hardens once it comes in contact with saliva. Your child may feel the hardened varnish with his tongue but will not be able to lick the varnish off.

It does not hurt when the varnish is applied. However, young children may still cry before or during the procedure. Fortunately, brushing on the varnish takes only a few minutes. Also, applying the varnish may be easier when a child is crying because his mouth will be slightly open.

You may be asked to hold your child in your lap while you are placed knee-to-knee with the person applying the varnish.

How Do I Care for My Child’s Teeth After Fluoride Varnish is Applied?

Here are general guidelines on how to care for your child’s teeth after fluoride varnish is applied. Check with your child’s doctor for any other special instructions.

• Your child can eat and drink right after the fluoride varnish is applied. But only give your child soft foods and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids.
• Do not brush or floss teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours. Your child’s doctor may tell you to wait until the next morning to brush or floss. Remind your child to spit when rinsing, if he knows how to spit.

Remember:

Steps to good dental health include:

• Regular care by a dentist trained to treat young children
• Getting enough fluoride
• Regular brushing and flossing
• Eating right

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants receive oral health risk assessments by 6 months of age. Infants at higher risk of early dental caries should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months of age and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts or 12 months of age (whichever comes first) to establish their dental home. Every child should have a dental home established by 12 months of age.

Baby Root Canals: When and Why are they performed?

Baby Root Canals. Seriously? Yes, Seriously, It Just Might Save A Tooth and Prevent Future Dental Problems

Although it may sound like aggressive treatment, dentists recommend root canals on baby teeth when the cavity is close to the nerve. These cavities are the ones that are painful as the nerve becomes irritated. Sometimes, in very large cavities, removing all the decay leads to a nerve exposure. When these things happen, the dentist must treat the nerve because a filling or crown will not heal the damaged nerve. In fact, without treating the nerve, the filling or crown may actually cause the tooth to become more painful and lead to an abscess.  Because premature loss or extraction of a baby tooth can lead to space loss and future issues, we attempt to restore teeth and get them back to being pain free. This is assuming that the tooth is still savable with a baby root canal.

So, what does a baby root canal involve?

After giving local anesthesia to profoundly numb the area, our dentist isolate the tooth, remove the decay, and assess the health of the tooth’s nerve. If decay removal results in nerve exposure or the tooth has been painful because of damage to the nerve from the cavity, the infected portion of the nerve is removed. We then make sure that the remaining part of the nerve appears healthy. If the rest of the nerve is healthy, we place medicine on the nerve to heal it, build the tooth back up and then restore the tooth with a crown. A root canal weakens the tooth making it brittle, much like a branch that is no longer alive and becomes dried out. Therefore a crown is needed to give it back its strength and prevent the tooth from fracturing!

What’s the alternative to a baby root canal?

When your child’s tooth needs a baby root canal, the only other alternative is to have the tooth removed (extracted). Your child’s natural tooth is the best space maintainer for the permanent tooth. Loss of a baby tooth too early because of an extraction may cause the permanent tooth to come in crooked or crowded. Therefore, we make every effort to save baby teeth. Unfortunately, sometimes the baby tooth has a severe infection or the nerve has been irritated for so long that it has already died or that no amount of medicine can heal the nerve. In both of those cases there is no other choice but to extract the tooth. We only recommend root canals on teeth whose symptoms are consistent with those of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) guidelines for root canal treatment. If a tooth is extracted prematurely, talk to us about the best way to maintain or regain the future space for the permanent tooth.

Root canal treatment is a safe and effective way to stop many kinds of tooth pain, and to keep a tooth from being lost due to decay or injury. But if a root canal is recommended for your young child, you may wonder why: Isn’t that baby tooth going to fall out in a few years anyway?

That’s true — the primary (baby) teeth typically are shed between the ages of 6 and 12 years.Yet there are some good reasons for trying to save baby teeth for as long as possible with root canal treatment, rather than simply extracting any that are damaged by trauma or infection.

For one, primary teeth have the same functions as adult teeth — and a missing tooth at any age can cause problems with speech and eating. Baby teeth also have another important role: They serve as guides for the proper placement of the permanent teeth. Without primary teeth to guide them in, permanent teeth tend to emerge in a crooked fashion, often becoming tilted or crowded because of inadequate space. This can result in bite problems that may require extensive orthodontic treatment later.

Saving The Tooth Is Always Best

Unlike its hard outer surface, the soft pulp inside the tooth is rich in blood vessels and nerves. Problems in this area are often signaled by tooth sensitivity and pain. When we find these symptoms during an examination, we generally use radiographs (x-rays) to confirm that the pulp is diseased, or dying. That’s when we need to take action, before an abscess or further infection can develop.

In severe cases, the tooth may need to be removed, and a space maintainer installed to fill the gap. But many times, space maintainers don’t fully restore the tooth’s functionality. Plus, they are susceptible to coming loose and must be monitored constantly. If possible, we prefer to use treatment methods such as:

• Indirect pulp treatment. If pulp damage is minimal, it’s possible to remove most of the decay (but not the pulp), apply an antibiotic, and then seal the tooth up again; that’s referred to as an “indirect” treatment.
• Pulpotomy. Alternatively, if decay is limited to the upper portion of the pulp, we may recommend a “pulpotomy.” This involves removing the damaged part of the pulp, stabilizing the remaining healthy portion, and then disinfecting and sealing the tooth. This “partial” root canal is a time-tested technique that’s successful in many cases.
• Pulpectomy. If pulp tissue is infected through the entire tooth structure, a pulpectomy may be needed. Here, we remove all pulp tissue, disinfect and shape the canals, then fill and seal them with inert material. Afterwards, the crown (visible part) of the tooth will be restored. This resembles traditional root canal therapy, with a crucial difference: The sealant we use in children is capable of being dissolved by the body. That way, when it’s time for a permanent tooth to erupt, the baby tooth’s roots can be naturally absorbed and tooth development can proceed normally.

Preparing for Your Child’s Root Canal Treatment

As you probably already know, most of the legends you may have heard about root canal therapy simply aren’t true. In fact, the procedure generally causes little discomfort, but is quite successful in relieving tooth pain! We are adept at using anesthesia to block the sensation of pain, and experienced in calming the fears of young ones. While it’s understandable that you may be nervous, it will help if you don’t let your child pick up on your own anxiety. A calming voice and a gentle touch can do much to relieve stress.

After a thorough examination, we will recommend the best options for your child’s treatment. The procedures are routinely done right here in our office. Afterwards, we will give you complete follow-up instructions, and schedule a return visit. A root canal is nothing to fear: Think of it as a treatment that may save your child from some tooth pain now, and potentially a lot of corrective dental work later on.

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Root Canal Treatment for Children’s Teeth You may think that if a baby tooth comes out prematurely, it’s no great loss; after all, it was going to fall out anyway, right? Wrong! Primary (baby) teeth serve as important guides for the permanent teeth that will replace them. Losing baby teeth prematurely can allow bite problems to develop. Root canal treatment for children can prevent this. Learn what to look for in your child and what can be done to save baby teeth until they are ready to be lost naturally…

Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children in Marietta 

Orthodontic treatment is primarily used to prevent and correct “bite” irregularities.  Several factors may contribute to such irregularities, including genetic factors, the early loss of primary (baby) teeth, and damaging oral habits (such as thumb sucking and developmental problems).

Orthodontic irregularities may be present at birth or develop during toddlerhood or early childhood.  Crooked teeth hamper self-esteem and make good oral homecare difficult, whereas straight teeth help minimize the risk of tooth decay and childhood periodontal disease.

During biannual preventative visits, we are abable to utilize many diagnostic tools to monitor orthodontic irregularities and, if necessary, implement early intervention strategies.  Children should have an initial orthodontic evaluation before the age of eight.

Why does early orthodontic treatment make sense?

Some children display early signs of minor orthodontic irregularities.  In such cases, we might choose to monitor the situation over time without providing intervention.  However, for children who display severe orthodontic irregularities, early orthodontic treatment can provide many benefits, including:

• Enhanced self-confidence and aesthetic appearance.
• Increased likelihood of proper jaw growth.
• Increased likelihood of properly aligned and spaced adult teeth.
• Reduced risk of bruxing (grinding of teeth).
• Reduced risk of childhood cavities, periodontal disease, and tooth decay.
• Reduced risk of impacted adult teeth.
• Reduced risk of protracted orthodontic treatments in later years.
• Reduced risk of speech problems.
• Reduced risk of tooth, gum, and jawbone injury.

When can my child begin early orthodontic treatment?

Pediatric dentists recognize three age-related stages of orthodontic treatment.  These stages are described in detail below.

Stage 1: Early treatment (2-6 years old)

Early orthodontic treatment aims to guide and regulate the width of both dental arches.  The main goal of early treatment is to provide enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt correctly.  Good candidates for early treatment include: children who have difficulty biting properly, children who lose baby teeth early, children whose jaws click or grind during movement, bruxers, and children who use the mouth (as opposed to the nose AND mouth) to breathe.

During the early treatment phase, your pediatric dentist works with parents and children to eliminate orthodontically harmful habits, like excessive pacifier use and thumb sucking.  The dentist may also provide one of a variety of dental appliances to promote jaw growth, hold space for adult teeth (space maintainers), or to prevent the teeth from “shifting” into undesired areas.

Stage 2: Middle dentition (6-12 years old)

The goals of middle dentition treatments are to realign wayward jaws, to start to correct crossbites, and to begin the process of gently straightening misaligned permanent teeth.  Middle dentition marks a developmental period when the soft and hard tissues are extremely pliable.  In some ways therefore, it marks an optimal time to begin to correct a severe malocclusion.

Again, the dentist may provide the child with a dental appliance.  Some appliances (like braces) are fixed and others are removable.  Regardless of the appliance, the child will still be able to speak, eat, and chew in a normal fashion.  However, children who are fitted with fixed dental appliances should take extra care to clean the entire oral region each day in order to reduce the risk of staining, decay, and later cosmetic damage.

Stage 3: Adolescent dentition (13+ years old)

Adolescent dentition is what springs to most parents’ minds when they think of orthodontic treatment.  Some of the main goals of adolescent dentition include straightening the permanent teeth and improving the aesthetic appearance of the smile.

Most commonly during this period, the dentist will provide fixed or removable “braces” to gradually straighten the teeth.  Upon completion of the orthodontic treatment, the adolescent may be required to wear a retainer in order to prevent the regression of the teeth to their original alignment.

Oral Habit-Breaking Appliances for Kids

Oral habits like thumb-sucking and using a pacifier are completely normal in infants. As the child grows up, these habits go away on their own.

Pediatric Dentistry

You can take away the pacifiers when your baby is one year of age. And as for thumb or finger sucking, most kids naturally leave these oral habits between the age of two to three years. And so, a baby sucking their thumb or fingers is nothing to worry about.

However, if your child is over four years of age and still cannot give up their habit of thumb sucking, it can be a reason to be concerned about. This is because if these habits continue, they can cause dental issues, affect their skeletal and jaw development, and can also cause problems like open bites.

So, if your kid doesn’t leave the oral habits on their own, it becomes necessary to make efforts to break these habits. And this is where oral habit-breaking appliances can come in handy. Thumb sucking and mouth-breathing causes and long term impacts should be known to parents as soon as its first observed in their children.

This article will walk you through the basics of oral habit-breaking appliances for children. We will also list down some excellent ones that will help your kid in giving up their oral habits like using pacifiers, tongue thrusting, or finger sucking. Read on!

What are Oral Habit-Breaking Appliances for Kids?

Oral habit-breaking appliances

Oral habit-breaking appliances are made of extremely thin metal wires and are placed inside the mouth of kids by Pediatric dentists. They are bonded with the molars and placed behind a child’s teeth so that they remain hidden when your kid talks or smiles. The process of placing these appliances is totally painless and they don’t interfere with their eating either.

Generally, these appliances come in two different types, including fixed oral habit-breaking appliances and removable oral habit-breaking appliances. These appliances come with a tongue crib that prevents your child’s tongue and fingers from coming in contact with the rear part of their front teeth. This takes away the enjoyable part of thumb or finger sucking and thus, the kid will leave the habit eventually.

Moreover, as soon as your child takes their thumb into their mouth, they will instantly feel the device. This serves as a reminder that they have to stop sucking their thumb.

Benefits of Oral Habit-Breaking Appliances

Oral habit-breaking appliances have several benefits for kids. Let’s have a quick look at some of them.

• They help in getting rid of your child’s oral habits in a quick, effective, and painless way.

• Most children suck their thumb and fingers when they are upset, stressed, anxious, or sleeping. It is an unconscious habit. Oral habit-breaking appliances help them in getting rid of these habits as they work even when your child is sleeping or stressed.

As soon as your child puts their finger in their mouth, they can feel these appliances and are thus reminded to remove their thumb from their mouth.

• These appliances minimize the risk of dental problems like misalignment of teeth, poor teeth development, sore gums, etc which will have to be treated by Orthodontists later.

• Oral habit-breaking appliances are placed inside the mouth in such a way that they remain invisible when your child eats, talks, and smiles.

Best Oral Habit-Breaking Appliances for Kids

There are different oral habit-breaking appliances available for different issues. Here is a list of some of the major ones.

Fixed Palatal Crib

This is an excellent appliance for breaking the habit of thumb sucking in children. Ideally, your child should give up their habit of thumb sucking when they reach the age of three to four years. However, if their habit continues even after that, you can consider using a fixed palatal crib. Dental treatments with this appliance comes with a set of thin metal bars or rings. It is placed behind the upper front teeth and is tied to the molars. It is one of the best appliances to discourage thumb or finger sucking.

Oral Screen

An oral screen is used for breaking the habit of mouth breathing by Pediatric dentists. Most kids develop the habit of breathing through their mouth instead of the nose. This can lead to various long-term complications later on. And so, it is important to break this habit early on.

An oral screen directs the air away from your kid’s oral cavity and motivates your kid to breathe from their nose.

Spiky Tongue Crib

A spiky tongue crib is used to take care of the habit of excessive tongue thrusting. The appliance is placed behind your child’s upper front teeth. It helps your kid in overcoming their tongue thrusting habit within four to six months.

Lip Bumper

A lip bumper is an excellent oral habit-breaking device for kids. It is a U-shaped wire that encircles your kid’s lower jaw. It is meant to create more space for tooth alignment and also correct the problems caused by excessive thumb sucking. Additionally, a lip bumper also helps in effectively breaking the habit of thumb or finger sucking when given by an Orthodontist.

Bluegrass appliance

Bluegrass is one of the most comfortable oral habit-breaking devices for kids. It is easiest for kids to tolerate it and they become accustomed to it within a few days.

The bluegrass appliance is specially designed by dentists to help your kid in breaking their habit of finger sucking. The appliance contains a thin wire and a roller that is placed at the roof of your child’s mouth. Instead of sucking their thumb, your child can turn the roller in their mouth. This gives them an alternative to thumb sucking and eventually, they are able to give up this habit.

The Bottom Line

So that was all about oral habit-breaking appliances for kids. When your kids start wearing an oral habit-breaking appliance, they will feel slightly uncomfortable initially.

They might remain cranky or upset during the few initial days. However, they will soon be accustomed to it and so, there is no reason for you to worry about these appliances. They are totally safe and painless. Just remember to be extra gentle with your child during this phase and they will be able to change their behavior soon!

We also recommend that you consult with your child’s pediatric dentist before selecting an oral habit-breaking appliance for them. The dentist would be able to guide you in the right way, help your kid throughout the process, and ensure the well-being of your child’s oral health.