Pediatric dentistry. Facts and myths in pediatric dentistry. As a parent, it is important to begin dental care early. So that your child has an opportunity to build a relationship with their pediatric dentist that makes going for exams and cleanings a positive experience. However, it is common for parents to have many questions about their child’s oral health. Things such as decayed baby teeth and dental emergencies are all new experiences that generate situations that require relying upon an expert. As you develop your child’s care plan, use the answers to these questions to guide your decisions. In this post, we’ll show you facts and myths in pediatric dentistry. Let’s get doing.
- 1 People also ask
- 2 11 Pediatric Dentistry Facts and Myths
- 2.1 What Exactly is a Dental Home?
- 2.2 Is It Really Necessary to Care For Baby Teeth?
- 2.3 When Should My Child See a Pediatric Dentist
- 2.4 How Do I Clean Baby Teeth?
- 2.5 What Should I Expect With Teething?
- 2.6 When Will My Baby Stop Teething?
- 2.7 How Can I Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
- 2.8 What Are Sealants And Are They Necessary?
- 2.9 Is Thumb Sucking a Concern For Oral Health?
- 2.10 Will My Kid Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
- 3 Conclusion
People also ask
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11 Pediatric Dentistry Facts and Myths
What Exactly is a Dental Home?
Currently, the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that it is best for young children to visit the same dental office if possible for the majority of their hygiene care. This is because establishing a dental home allows children to feel more comfortable talking to their dentist. Seeing the same person regularly allows for more consistent care. When parents only take their little ones to deal with a problem, it tends to generate a negative relationship.
This is why regular exams and cleanings are important. Receiving a good report after a checkup or just spending a few minutes learning how to floss properly promotes positive feelings. This will make it easier for kids to handle going when there is an actual problem to address. Pediatric dentistry is expertly treated.
Is It Really Necessary to Care For Baby Teeth?
Families often hear from other people that baby teeth are unimportant since they fall out anyway. Unfortunately, this is a complete myth, and skimping in these formative years can lead to big problems. Baby teeth play an important role as placeholders for adult teeth, and losing them too early can lead to a need for braces later on due to crookedness and overcrowding. These early teeth also allow your kid an opportunity to develop oral health care habits that last a lifetime. Therefore, you will want to begin brushing as soon as that first tiny tooth comes in.
When Should My Child See a Pediatric Dentist
It is never too early to bring your precious in for their first appointment. Typically, it is best to bring your baby in as soon as their first tooth appears. However, making an appointment before their first birthday is best since it allows them to start acclimating to being in an office environment early in life.
How Do I Clean Baby Teeth?
Naturally, your child won’t be ready to brush their own teeth until they are older. You should still expect to give assistance until they reach the age of seven. For babies, you can start a hygiene routine before the teeth come in by wiping their gums with a clean washcloth after feedings.
Once the first tooth emerges, you can use a washcloth or a soft finger brush to gently clean it. As your kid grows, you will then be able to switch to a children’s toothbrush and toothpaste. It is also a good idea to increase your knowledge by talking to your child’s dentist about how to handle each stage of your child’s oral development.
What Should I Expect With Teething?
Teething usually begins around the time a baby is three to 12 months old. It simply involves the natural process of your child’s primary teeth breaking through the gums. When this happens, you may notice a sudden increase in drooling, or your baby may seem to lose their appetite. Sleepless nights due to the discomfort of the tooth breaking through the gum line are also normal.
You should also be aware that some babies run a slightly higher temperature than normal, but it should never get extremely high. If you have concerns about teething such as obvious pain or a blister in your child’s mouth, then they can help you find ways to ease their discomfort.
There’s so much more…
When Will My Baby Stop Teething?
For the most part, you will notice that your baby’s teeth come in pairs, and it is usually the top two on the top or bottom that make their appearance first. Children will continue teething periodically until they are about two to three years old. This is when their final primary set of molars come in.
How Can I Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?
When cavities occur in infants or toddlers, it is referred to as baby bottle tooth decay. This is because it is usually caused by milk pooling around the baby’s teeth. This is why it is important to avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle that could be left in their mouth inadvertently. It is also helpful to wipe your child’s baby teeth with an infant brush or washcloth after feedings. Regular exams can also catch these cavities early enough that further damage can be prevented.
What Are Sealants And Are They Necessary?
Regular tooth brushing is great at removing larger food particles and plaque that accumulates in your mouth. However, a toothbrush bristle is not small enough to fit into the tiny grooves and fissures that exist in the teeth. The back molars tend to have more grooves and brushing back there is harder. Most dentists recommend placing sealants on them during early childhood or adolescence.
A sealant is simply a plastic material that sinks into the grooves and bonds with the tooth. Once sealants are applied, they essentially work as a barrier to keep food and plaque out of the areas of your child’s teeth that are difficult to clean.
Is Thumb Sucking a Concern For Oral Health?
Many children suck their thumbs for self-comfort, and it is a hard habit to break. Unfortunately, frequent thumb sucking can lead to tooth alignment issues that may require braces to correct as they mature. Talk to your dentist about ways to discourage thumb sucking. Make sure they know about the habit so that they can be on the lookout for signs of a developing tooth alignment problem.
When Are Mouth Guards Necessary? Increasing your knowledge about how to keep your kid’s teeth safe is important for preserving their smile. Nightguards are sometimes prescribed by dentists to ease the strain on teeth that happens if your child grinds them as they sleep. If your child plays sports, then they may also be provided with a mouthguard.
This helps protect them from trauma such as cracked teeth and soft tissue injuries that occur with blunt force. It is always best to encourage your child to wear their mouthguard as prescribed. And follow all instructions for cleaning and hygiene from pediatric dentists.
Will My Kid Need Their Wisdom Teeth Removed?
Wisdom teeth are the final and trickiest ones to come in. To determine if your child’s wisdom teeth need removing takes an expert. For some kids, there is plenty of room in the mouth, and wisdom teeth come in with only mild discomfort. However, wisdom teeth can also be impacted and place a child at risk for infections and decay so make sure to discuss this with their dental expert.
At KinderSmiles we consider ourselves a friendly partner with parents when it comes to the shared goal of promoting positive oral health experiences. We love talking teeth. Give us a call today to find out the answers to all of your questions about pediatric dentistry and protecting your family. Contact Dr. Engel here for advice on preventive dentistry and a perfect smile for your particular personality.
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KinderSmiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
400 Kinderkamack Rd
Oradell, NJ 07649
Pediatric Dentistry | 11 FACTS & MYTHS FOR MOMS TO READ
Dr Engel holds a speciality license in pediatric dentistry from New Jersey and New York. He also has attained sedation certification, which allows for in-office oral sedation options, and he’s on staff at Hackensack University Medical Center. As an attending pediatric dentist at HUMC, Dr Engel retains operating room privileges, allowing for an array of treatment modalities and anaesthesia options.