Kids
Baby's first teeth: The four front teeth normally begin to appear when the baby is between 6 to 12 months old. Babies may experience sore or tender gums while teething. Gently rubbing the child's gums with a clean finger or wet gauze can in such case be soothing. A clean teething ring may also help. Contrary to common belief, fever is not normal while teething. Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the age of 3. Primary teeth are as important as permanent teeth – for chewing, speaking, and the child’s appearance.
Tooth decay: Tooth decay can appear as soon as the teeth appear and can damage erupting permanent teeth. When sugar and starch from food or drinks combine with plaque (a film of bacteria), an acid is produced that attacks tooth enamel. This can eventually result in a cavity. Therefore, limiting snacks and sweet drinks will reduce the possibility of cavities. After each feeding, wipe the baby's gums and teeth with a damp wash cloth or gauze pad to remove plaque.
Baby bottle tooth decay: A serious form of decay among children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of a child's teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened drinks. Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, we strongly recommend it to contain only water.
Brushing and flossing: Brushing and flossing help remove harmful plaque bacteria. We recommend a child-size brush with soft, rounded bristles. Check your child's toothbrush often and replace it when it is worn. Begin daily brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts. A pea-size amount of toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough not to swallow it. By age 4 or 5 until about age 7, children should be able to brush their own teeth with supervision. As soon as the spaces close between the teeth, begin flossing the child's teeth until they can do it alone.
Bad bite: Bad bite or malocclusion, is a condition in which the teeth are either crooked, or out of alignment, or when the jaws don't meet properly. Between the ages of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth are coming in, such condition usually becomes an issue. It may be inherited or a result from events in the child's development. We recommend consulting our practice at as early a stage as possible to make an assessment of the condition.
Sports mouth-guards: Mouth-guards are an important piece of protective face gear for children who are participating in organized sport activities. A custom made mouth-guard is much more protective than a retail one purchased from a store. It helps prevent broken teeth, injuries to the lips and face, jaw fractures and concussions. We can make mouth-guards even for a child wearing braces.
