Dentist FAQ's for 1-Year-Old Babys
When Should a Child First See a Dentist?
First visit by first birthday” sums it up. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child should visit a pediatric dentist six months after the first tooth erupts. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends: “All infants receive an oral health risk assessments by 6 months of age. Infants at higher risk of early dental caries should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months of age and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts or 12 months of age (whichever comes first)
Why Your Child Should See a Dentist Early
We like to say “Great Smiles Start Early!” The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early and “cavity-free by age 3″ is not an assumption. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (also know as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Your child risks severe decay from using a bottle during naps or at night or when they nurse continuously from the breast. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. We can evaluate your child for any risk factors that may cause him to be more prone to cavities. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
Is Fruit Juice Bad For My Baby's Teeth?
Excessive juice consumption may be associated with tooth decay. To prevent fruit juice from causing a problem, the AAP recommends limiting the intake of fruit juice to 4 to 6 oz/d for children 1 to 6 years old. For children 7 to 18 years old, juice intake should be limited to 8 to 12 oz or 2 servings per day. Also, children should be encouraged to eat whole fruits to meet their recommended daily fruit intake.
When Should I Start Cleaning My Baby's Teeth?
The sooner the better! If a child has teeth you should begin using a toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste. For a child who is unable to spit, a smear of toothpaste should be used. For children who can spit, use a pea-size amount of toothpaste. If you use the proper amount of toothpaste, the benefits of using a fluoridated toothpaste outweigh any risk to swallowing toothpaste.
Should I Worry About Finger or Thumb Sucking?
Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; most stop by age 2. If your child does not, discourage it after age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb-sucking habit.
Braces For Kids
How Young Can a Child Get Braces?
You have probably seen children as young as 9 or 10 years old, already going through orthodontic treatment. While there is nothing wrong with it; in fact, in the next subject the benefits of an early treatment will be discussed, but there are some things that you have to know. Beginning the orthodontic treatment at a young age is good and often necessary, to control further destruction, but it is best to begin actual braces for kids when all the premolars have erupted. You may start prescribing the use of a removable or fixed dental appliance, such as an expansion appliance or a splint, but it will be best to wait until the eruption of the premolars before the brackets adhere to the teeth. Before the premolars erupt, the jaw is still expected to grow, so some changes may still be observed. Also, since the premolars will be installed with brackets, anyway, waiting for them to erupt will ensure a shorter and more straightforward course of treatment. The best age for braces for kids to begin will be around the age of 12 to 13 years. Already old enough to have most of his teeth out and smart enough to receive proper instruction from the dentist.
What Are the Benefits of Braces for Kids?
A growing child is a developing child. A child who is going through the development stages will be a good patient for orthodontic treatment because the bone is growing. This makes the braces for kids, so much more favorable for both the dentist and the child. The bone is still growing, so the bone is softer and very receptive to orthodontic forces and movements. Orthodontic treatment involves breaking and building of bone. Bone is broken so that tooth can be moved, but the movement is done slowly so that new bone can form right away to hold the tooth in its position. The breaking and building process is so much faster on a younger patient. It will be easier to reposition teeth found on a developing bone than a fully-developed one, so you can expect for the treatment to go faster.
What Hygiene Recommendations Should Parents Equip Themselves With?
Monitor your child’s daily oral hygiene efforts. A child without braces will need some guidance. A child undergoing orthodontic treatment will all the more need your assistance. Make sure that they are able to brush thoroughly, and have removed all food particles, especially those stuck on the brackets and wires.
Ectopic Teeth
My Child's Permanent Teeth are Growing in Behind Their Baby Teeth. What Should I Do?
First of all, this is quite common. We refer to it as ectopic teeth and see it probably 3-4 times a week. If she can wiggle the baby teeth out by herself --Great! If a child comes to see me at the office with this, I usually give them "homework" to go home and really try to wiggle the teeth out. I normally give them 2 weeks. If it does not come out after that, then I can extract the teeth at the office.
Will The Permanent Teeth Stay in the Same Place With Ectopic Teeth?
If the baby teeth eventually come out, the permanent teeth will move naturally forward. It is not important WHEN the baby teeth fall out (OR ARE REMOVED). The limiting factor is how much space is available for the permanent teeth. So, if there is enough space for the permanent teeth, then they will be straight. If there is not enough space, then the teeth will be crowded. The only thing controlling how much space she has is her growth. We(the dentist) cannot do anything about the space issue. If there is crowding, the only way to resolve that situation is orthodontics when all the front permanent teeth are fully in.
Will It Harm the Permanent Teeth if the Baby Teeth Don't Fall Out Right Away?
No. The permanent teeth will not be harmed. I'd love to see your child and give her the homework myself, but I hope this helps otherwise.
