All You Need to Know About Your Child's Teeth

ERUPTION &TEETHING-

When do primary/milk/baby teeth erupt?

The first milk teeth start erupting by 6 months.

When does the child shed his/her milk teeth?

Shedding of milk teeth starts at the age of 6 years and may continue till 14 years. These milk teeth are replaced by permanent teeth as the milk teeth shed.

When does the child start getting permanent teeth?

Permanent teeth start erupting by 6 years and may continue up to 18-21 years

What are the side effects of teething on the child?

As the teeth break through the gums, babies exhibit a variety of symptoms like crankiness, swollen gums, drooling, and tendency to chew on fingers/objects, sleeplessness, mild fever and diarrhoea.

When does the space between the central incisors (Diastema) close?

The diastema decreases with the eruption of lateral incisors and closes when the canines erupt.

FIRST DENTAL VISIT-

When should I take my child to the dentist?

The ideal age for child’s first visit to dentist is when his/ her first tooth starts erupting. The child’s first visit to a dentist should ideally not be delayed beyond 1 year of age. An early start helps safeguard against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking.

CLEANING & BRUSHING BABY TEETH-

How do I clean my baby’s teeth?

It’s best to get a professional opinion by visiting your dentist for demonstration of homecare cleaning procedures for the child. In case of a new born, a soft muslin cloth wrapped around the fingers is useful in cleaning the gum pads. Baby toothbrushes (finger brushes) are available for cleaning the infant teeth.

What is the right age to start brushing my kids’ teeth?

You should start cleaning your child`s mouth even before the teeth erupt.

Who should brush the child’s teeth at preschool age?

Children can develop carious lesions even before the full complement of primary teeth have erupted; therefore, brushing should be instituted as soon as the child will tolerate the procedure. Since the preschool child cannot be expected to master an effective tooth brushing technique, it is recommended that the parent should do the brushing.

PREVENTION FROM DECAY-

What kind of food can I give my kid to prevent decay?

Food stuff with high fibre content and low carbohydrates are helpful in preventing decay.

Is there any need for applying sealants on the child’s teeth?

Yes. The biting surfaces of child’s teeth, i.e. the molars contain grooves and areas, which are difficult to clean by brushing. The bacteria or food substances can accumulate and lead to tooth decay. Sealants are flowable materials that seal these grooves and areas. These make the tooth surface smoother and easier to clean and stop decay from starting on the chewing or biting surfaces.

Is it necessary for my child to have Fluoride supplements?

While dietary Fluoride supplements are not advised for children, topical or local Fluoride applications should be done periodically from the age of three years to prevent the development of tooth decay. At Normanhurst dental, we provide periodic Fluoride applications and amorphous calcium phosphate and calcium pyrophosphate applications for long-term protection of teeth.

My kid eats a lot of chocolates, is it normal?

If the intake of chocolates is at frequent intervals then your child is prone to tooth decay. It is not the quantity but the frequency of intake which is more important factor in causing decay.

OTHER FAQ’S-

What are the risk factors for cavity development?

Teeth at the back of the mouth, high and frequent intake of sugary and sticky foods and drinks, not brushing teeth or rinsing mouth after eating, faulty or broken fillings, acidic juices and foods, medicines and conditions which reduce saliva production, improper feeding habits, and crowded teeth can all lead to cavity formation in the teeth.

What are the reasons for staining of my child’s teeth?

Lack of thorough cleaning may cause yellow/orange/brownish stains due to plaque and tartar. Dark brown to black stains may be due to some medications/multivitamins or also due to decay. A child’s teeth (usually one or two) can also become discoloured if they’re injured in a fall.

If the child has a chronic illness or recurrent high fevers or is exposed to certain medications or to excess fluoride over long periods during their infant or toddler years, it will probably not affect their milk teeth but can cause the adult teeth to grow in discoloured.

My kid is still sucking his thumb at 6 yrs. Is it normal?

Thumb sucking beyond 6 years is not normal and it is important to seek professional help to break the habit.

When should we seek orthodontic treatment/braces?

Regular check-ups can help determine issues with crowded teeth or issues causing malaligned teeth, even before they occur. This helps us give you more information about when to seek treatment for the same.

At Normanhurst Dental, we are a child friendly dentist and we’re happy to talk to you about your child’s dental health and hygiene.

Call us on 9989 8565 or book online at www.normanhurstdental.com.au to arrange a check-up and for friendly advice for your kids.