Infant Dental Care
When Should my child first visit our dentist?
Your child's first visit to the dentist should be initiated when the first teeth appear in the mouth around 6-10 months. This enables us to establish a good preventive dental program and to alleviate parental fears and concerns in regards to your child's dental health. Following this free orientation, biannual dental visits usually begin at three years of age.
Is it necessary to brush baby teeth when my child will lose them anyway?
Yes! Even if there are only a few teeth present, they should be cleaning daily. There will be twenty primary teeth in total and they are important for chewing, speech, and to allow the permanent teeth to grow into the jaw correctly. Finally, if baby teeth get cavities, resultant infections or abscesses can cause pain and suffering.
How do I clean my baby's teeth?
At first, a piece of gauze or moist face cloth can be used to wipe your infant's teeth and gums. Eventually, a soft infant toothbrush should be used, and after 2 years of age, fluoridated toothpaste can be introduced in very small amounts. At 5 years of age, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used. Your child should be encouraged to spit out toothpaste rather than to swallow it.
What are nursing caries caused by?
That trusted stand-by, the baby's bottle or mom's breast can cause nursing caries or "the baby bottle syndrome". Natural sugars contained in such seemingly harmless fluids such as juice and milk can "pool" and bathe baby's new teeth in acids for long periods of time when baby falls asleep with a bottle in the mouth frequently. This acid can cause cavities at an early age. Baby bottles filled with soda pop or sweetened drinks are even more harmful and should not be given at bedtime. Try plain water! Remember, as your child grows up; select nutritional snacks that aren't filled with refined sugars.
What about fluoride and chlorzoin?
Both prevent cavities or "tooth decay". Tooth decay occurs when bacteria present in your mouth produce acids. This acid attacks your teeth, breaking down the enamel and eventually causing cavities. Fluoride combines with tooth enamel to strengthen it and increase its resistance to acid attack. Tooth decay slows down or stops and in areas already decayed, fluoride works to repair damage. An important source of fluoride is your drinking water. If the water fluoride level is less that 0.3 ppm, then supplements may be recommended at 3 years (0.25 mg/day) and increased to a higher dosage at 5 years (1.0 mg/day). A fluoridated toothpaste, as well as fluoride applied after each professional dental cleaning are two other important sources. Chlorzoin, a dental product introduced to the market in 1993, is an antibiotic varnish painted on the teeth to prevent decay. It actually destroys the specific bacteria (streptococcus mutans) that cause tooth decay. Often and entire family, especially mom and child, will have this treatment simultaneously to prevent passage of the bacteria through kissing or sharing of toothbrushes. This product must be carefully applied and this precludes its use on very young children. However, Chlorzoin is a useful adjunct to prevent tooth decay in older children and adults.
What can I do to help my child through teething?
Symptoms of teething include sore gums, increased chewing and drooling, restlessness, irritability, disruption of eating and sleeping habits, loose stools and a low grade fever. Chewing or biting a chilled teething ring often provides relief. Tempra may also reduce pain. Remember to encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Don't use teething "gels" without approval from your dentist or paediatrician. Benzocaine is the active ingredient in such gels and can be harmful when swallowed.
Should I encourage the use of a pacifier or thumb-sucking?
Sucking is natural! The sucking habit pacifies a child and should not be discouraged until 4-5 years of age. Often social peer pressure resolves the habit once a child begins school. If sucking persists beyond this age, the newly erupting permanent teeth may be pushed into a "malocclusion" and require orthodontics. Both thumb-sucking and a pacifier are capable of producing misplaced teeth but weaning from a pacifier is simpler. When purchasing a pacifier, please be certain that it has been approved by the Canadian Dental Association (e.g. NUK). A safe pacifier should be non-toxic, a one-piece design with a large plastic oral shield to prevent aspiration. Pacifiers should be replaced every three months. Never attach a string to a pacifier and never dip a pacifier in honey or sugar! Always inspect a pacifier for tears or cracks to prevent unsafe use.
What should I do if my child falls and knocks his teeth loose?
When a baby tooth is "knocked loose", it is often shifted within its socket. When a permanent tooth is hit, it is usually chipped or fractured. The most important action following trauma to your child's teeth is to call your dentist or local emergency room! The dentist will reassure you and give you special instructions. Often it will be necessary to go directly to you dental office where an examination (including X-rays) will occur. Loose teeth may be splinted together, left alone to heal or extracted depending upon the severity of the injury. Remember, if a tooth is knocked out; bring it with you to the dental office in water or milk to keep it moist. Do not scrub the tooth clean. A permanent tooth may last another 20 years in the jaw if put back into its socket within 2 hours of the injury. Finally, try ice packs and Tylenol immediately to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. In the event of an emergency, please call us immediately at 519-742-8303. We will make every effort possible to see you immediately.
