KIDSDENTALHEALTH

A complete guide to

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Are Baby teeth really important??

• Helps in proper chewing and eating• Provides space for the permanent

teeth and guides them into the correct position

• Guides normal development of the jaw bones and muscles

• Aids in the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance

Baby and Toddler Teething Timeline

TeethingThese are common signs of teething

• Drooling.

• Swollen, bulging gums.

• A tooth visible below the gum.

• Irritability.

• Trouble sleeping.

• Trying to bite, chew, and suck on everything.

• Rubbing own face.

• Rejecting food.

Do baby teeth decay??

Putting a baby to bed for a nap orat night with a bottle other thanwater or nursing at will can causeserious and rapid tooth decay.Sweet liquid pools around he child'steeth giving plaque bacteria anopportunity to produce acids thatattack tooth enamel

Baby bottle Decay

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Tooth Decay is the most

common dental problem

Baby teeth are anyway replaced by permanent teeth?

Do we still need to treat baby tooth decay?

Baby Tooth decay must be treatedimmediately. Generally, initial decay istreated by tooth color fillings.Root canal treatment on baby teethmay sometimes be necessary if thedecay is extensive.

Will children co-operate in a dental office?

A pediatric dentist is trainedin child management and indealing with different typesof child behavior

Extensive dental proceduresfor un co-operative childrencan be done under generalanesthesia.

Is thumb sucking and pacifier habits

harmful to a child’s teeth?

Thumb and pacifier sucking habitswill generally only become a problemif they go on for a very long period oftime. Most children stop these habitson their own, but if they are stillsucking their thumbs or fingers pastthe age of three, a mouth appliancemay be recommended by yourpediatric dentist

When will the tooth fairy visit?

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Baby teeth begin to fall bythe age of 7 years. Thefirst tooth to be replacedis the lower front toothfollowed by the upperfront teeth, the premolarsand then finally, molars

Does it hurt to lose a tooth?

Usually it hurts if the child tries to get the tooth to fall out before it is ready. Sometimes the dentist has to pull your baby tooth out so the adult tooth can grow in.

Common problems during eruption

• Double row of teeth – where the permanent tooth comes behind the baby tooth before it sheds

• Delayed eruption – permanent tooth does not erupt even after the baby tooth has shed

• Crowding of teeth – teeth have no space and come out of the arch

• Spacing between teeth – gaps between teeth

• Extra teeth/Missing teeth

• Improper bite

When is a child ready for Braces??

Correction of jaw mal relationships are best treated in the 7-10year age group as growth modification can be done to minimizethe treatment time with braces or even negate the need forbraces in future. Braces are usually done after 12 years afterchecking the number of permanent teeth in the mouth.

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Kids this age are concerned with their appearance; therefore, stressing the importance of healthy oral

care's effect on the way their teeth and smile looks is very effective.

Additionally, now is the time when they are old enough to learn about lifestyle and diet's effect on

their teeth. At this age, kids may need braces, retainers or wisdom teeth removal (around 18 years).

All you need to know about Braces

When is Braces required??

• Crooked or crowded teeth

• Gaps between teeth

• Missing or extra teeth

• An overbite or underbite

• Incorrect jaw position

What is the right age for braces??

The best age varies from patient to patient. Orthodontic treatment mostcommonly begins between ages 8 and 14 years. Kids in this age rangehave at least some permanent teeth and are still growing. Someproblems, however, are best addressed early, even while mostly babyteeth are present.

Is Braces treatment painful??

Some amount of soreness is common in the first week with braces. Alsowhen alignment happens with tightening of the braces, mild discomfortwill be experienced. This is only for the initial few days and once thechild gets used to the pressure, the treatment is comfortable.

What is the duration of braces treatment?

The duration usually depends on the complexity of tooth movement and the type of braces chosen. On an average, the treatment time can range between 8months – 24 months.

What are the type of braces available?

Newer Braces – The Self Ligating Systems

The newer self ligating braces systems has many advantages in comparison with the traditional braces

• Smaller in size and more comfortable

• Allows longer intervals between patient appointments

• Allows fewer patient visits to the dentist

• Better results

• Eliminate the need for additional expansion appliances.

• Faster treatment

SELF LIGATING BRACES

How do I choose the type of braces?

The choice of braces depends on many factors including the complexityof the treatment required, the time frame of entire treatment, clinicalcondition of the gums and also the cost. While you can choose the typeof braces best suited for your pocket, sometimes it may be necessary toopt for a different system based on the opinion of your orthodontist.

What are retainers?

Retainers are used after active orthodontic treatment is completed withbraces. Braces will be removed and retainers will be made which can befixed or removable. This has to be worn for a minimum of one year.After the braces are removed, teeth can shift back to their originalposition. Retainers help in maintaining the position of straightenedteeth. If retainers are not worn regularly, the initial alignment problemwill recur

Customize your retainers to make wearing them fun!!

KEEP YOUR TEETH HEALTHY

Brush..Brush.. – Two times a day

Toothbrush maintenance

Eat Healthy

DRINK HEALTHY

Visit your dentist regularly

Your dentist can help you prevent tooth decay!!

Topical Fluoride Application

Why?

• Tooth enamel crystals that have fluoride are stronger and much more resistant to acid.

• They are less likely to breakdown and cause the tooth surface to become porous

How?It is applied to the outside of the enamel as a varnish

or in fluoride application trays

KEEPSMILING