As you know, most parents don’t want to see their child in pain. In fact, many parents struggle to see their kids in any pain at all, regardless of how uncomfortable they are. Similarly, most parents wouldn’t intentionally do anything detrimental to their child’s health. With that in mind, what would you do if your child’s tooth falls out? Should you pull it yourself or wait for it to fall out on your own mouth. Can pulling our child’s teeth be painful? In reality, there are a few things you should know about what happens when your child’s first tooth...
Basic Dental Sealants to Help Prevent Cavities
As your child ages their 20 primary teeth are shed to make room for the 32 permanent teeth that will need to serve them for the rest of their life. Maintaining healthy teeth sets a good foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. Unfortunately, it’s rather common for the biting surface of a child’s back teeth to have deep pits, fissures and other contours. Sometimes these textured areas can be so deep that residual food particles and plaque become trapped. This greatly increases the chances that they will develop large cavities on these teeth, which could prove more and...
Fortifying Your Tooth Enamel with Daily Fluoride Supplements
The enamel layer of your teeth is made up of densely packed microscopic mineral crystals. Over the course of a single day, acidic foods, beverages and the natural bacteria in your mouth, can cause a microscopic erosion of these minerals. If this process, known as demineralization isn’t countered it can create microscopic pores and channels in your tooth enamel. This makes your teeth prone to issues with tooth decay and sensitivity. Increased exposure to fluoride helps to restore a microscopic amount of minerals to your tooth enamel. This process is known as remineralization, strengthens tooth enamel and reduces your chances...
Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb
Young children suck on pacifiers, thumbs, and fingers to soothe themselves, help themselves fall asleep, and to learn about the world. Thumb sucking helps young children feel happy and secure. Children usually stop sucking their thumbs around two to four years old, or when their permanent teeth begin to erupt. If your child continues to suck their thumb after their permanent teeth come in, alignment issues may arise. Thumb sucking can also cause issues with the growth of the mouth. If your child is having a hard time breaking the habit, you can help them wean off of their thumb....
How to Soothe Your Teething Baby
Do you ever wish there was a way to sooth your teething baby? If so, our [practice_name] team has some good news for you! There are many different ways you can give your baby the comfort they deserve, and we are happy to tell you all about them. If you want to soothe your baby, we recommend doing the following things: Thoroughly wash your hands and then massage your baby’s gums with your fingers. Get a chilled spoon and hold it against your baby’s sensitive gums. Let your child chew on a cold, wet washcloth, but please be there to...
What Causes Your Child To Grind Their Teeth?
Have you heard your child grinding their teeth while they sleep? This condition is called bruxism, and it is actually very common in children. In fact, about a third of children experience bruxism, starting when they are five-years-old until they grow out of it when they are about ten. Some common causes of bruxism include: Malocclusion (misaligned teeth that cause a bad bite) Stress or anxiety A reaction to medication Problems with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) A bad habit Medical conditions Hyperactivity These factors may result in your child grinding and clenching their teeth while they sleep. However, since children...
What to Do When Your Baby Is Teething
Effective oral care begins early, even before your baby’s first tooth erupts. Caring for your baby’s gums is vital to her health. Cleaning your baby’s gums can prevent problems as her teeth emerge. A baby’s tooth buds start to form while mom is in her second trimester. When the roots form they force crown upward. Eventually the pressure breaks down the gum tissue, making it thinner and thinner until it breaks through and erupts. The following can occur when your baby is teething: Drooling—drooling may cause a rash around her mouth as saliva builds up. Gum rubbing—to relieve the constant...
What to Do When Your Child Has a Thumbsucking Habit
So, your child sucks their thumb. Well, this is a common habit that many children have, and it’s nothing to be too stressed about. However, the habit can be harmful to your child’s smile, so we ask that you do everything you can to keep the thumbsucking to a minimum. How does thumbsucking harm my child’s teeth? This habit has a tendency to shift and move the front teeth, resulting in buck teeth. This is a serious problem, especially for permanent teeth. Thumbsucking also warps the formation of the roof of your child’s mouth. This occurrence can cause major dental...
Prevent Dental Anxiety in Your Children
Many people suffer from dental anxiety. It’s normal for people to feel uncomfortable when they do not have much experience in a dental office. However, this anxiety does not have to spread to your children. It’s normal for you to want your children to grow up without fears and anxiety, especially if you share them. That is why our team is here to help you understand how you can prevent dental anxiety in your children. According to the American Dental Association, also known as the ADA, once a child receives their first tooth is the perfect time to bring them...
Understanding Baby Teeth
Most babies are born with teeth that have yet to emerge from the gum tissue. Over the course of the first two to three years 20 teeth erupt from the gums. These primary teeth, sometimes called baby teeth, are lost over time as our mouth grows. By age 18 most people will have all their primary teeth replaced with 32 permanent teeth. Losing baby teeth can sometimes be an emotional or even traumatic experience for a child. This is especially true if a particular tooth is loose but does not easily want to come out. Most children have a natural...