Do I have to fix a decayed baby tooth since it will be replaced?
Yes. The primary teeth are very important for maintaining the space necessary for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the adult tooth that will come in later, may not have enough room to come in. Also, an abscess associated with a decayed baby tooth could damage the developing adult tooth under it, resulting in weakened enamel, staining or spots.
At what age should my child start braces?
Each case is different. Sometimes early orthodontic treatment(called stage 1 Treatment), is utilized when the child is 7-8 years old in order to make the final(stage 2) treatment easier, and potentially shorter in duration.
When should I start to brush my babies teeth?
A wet washcloth or finger brush should be used to clean your babies gums even before the first tooth comes in. Once the first teeth appear, a small child’s toothbrush should be used.
When will my child loose their teeth?
On average, a child begins to lose their first teeth at approximately 5years of age. Usually the font teeth are lost first. It is not uncommon for the adult tooth to start to erupt before the baby tooth is lost. They will continue to lose teeth until the age of 12-13.
Why do my child’s adult teeth look darker than their baby teeth?
This is normal. Primary teeth are usually very light in color. The adult teeth that are erupting look usually darker or yellow when compared side-by-side to the baby teeth. Do not worry- when all of the adult teeth erupt, their color will look normal when not compared to the other teeth.
Cleaning and Oral Hygiene
Do I have to floss?
Yes! Flossing removes the bacterial plaque which accumulates between your teeth. Brushing alone cannot remove this. Over time this un-cleaned bacteria can cause decay between your teeth.
How long should I brush my teeth?
You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Get into a routine using a circular motion with your soft toothbrush, concentrating on the gumline and always start and end in the same place. That way you will make sure not to miss any parts of your mouth. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45-60 seconds twice a day, and that is just not enough. Many new mechanical toothbrushes have built in timers to help you brush the proper length of time.
Should I rinse with a mouthwash?
The use of a mouthwash is fine to give yourself a fresh feeling. Try to use an alcohol free mouthwash if possible. Mouthwashes which contain alcohol can dry out the lining of your mouth and decrease saliva flow. Both of these symptoms can contribute to increased bacterial growth and lessen the mouths natural defenses.
What toothpaste should I use?
It does not matter what brand of toothpaste you use as long as it contains Fluoride. Just choose a toothpaste that has a pleasant flavor for you.
Common Dental Problems
Do over-the-counter bleaching products work?
There is some evidence that over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, however these products are not used under the supervision of your dentist and there may be potential problems which may need attention prior to whitening in this way. Also, the trays usually sold with these products do not fit as well as those that are custom made by your dentist. As a result, damage to your gums and teeth is possible.
What can be done for ulcers or canker sores in the mouth?
Ulcers are very difficult to treat. There is no proven technique that will eliminate ulcers. They can occur as a result of trauma or due to a viral source. Depending On their cause there are specific medications that can shorten their duration. Left alone, ulcers will generally diminish and disappear in two weeks.
Dental Procedures
Are X-rays safe? Are they necessary?
The radiation exposure from dental x-rays is much less than the exposure you would get from the X-rays taken by your physician. In fact, you will absorb more radiation by spending a day out in the summer sun. Dental radiographs or X-rays expose the patient to very small amounts of radiation. New digital X-rays can cut that amount down by close to 90% over traditional film X-rays. Your doctor uses these images to detect pathology such as decay, tumors, cysts or other abnormalities not evident to the naked eye. They are an integral part of a complete dental examination.
Yes. The primary teeth are very important for maintaining the space necessary for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the adult tooth that will come in later, may not have enough room to come in. Also, an abscess associated with a decayed baby tooth could damage the developing adult tooth under it, resulting in weakened enamel, staining or spots.
At what age should my child start braces?
Each case is different. Sometimes early orthodontic treatment(called stage 1 Treatment), is utilized when the child is 7-8 years old in order to make the final(stage 2) treatment easier, and potentially shorter in duration.
When should I start to brush my babies teeth?
A wet washcloth or finger brush should be used to clean your babies gums even before the first tooth comes in. Once the first teeth appear, a small child’s toothbrush should be used.
When will my child loose their teeth?
On average, a child begins to lose their first teeth at approximately 5years of age. Usually the font teeth are lost first. It is not uncommon for the adult tooth to start to erupt before the baby tooth is lost. They will continue to lose teeth until the age of 12-13.
Why do my child’s adult teeth look darker than their baby teeth?
This is normal. Primary teeth are usually very light in color. The adult teeth that are erupting look usually darker or yellow when compared side-by-side to the baby teeth. Do not worry- when all of the adult teeth erupt, their color will look normal when not compared to the other teeth.
Cleaning and Oral Hygiene
Do I have to floss?
Yes! Flossing removes the bacterial plaque which accumulates between your teeth. Brushing alone cannot remove this. Over time this un-cleaned bacteria can cause decay between your teeth.
How long should I brush my teeth?
You should brush your teeth at least 2-3 minutes twice a day. Get into a routine using a circular motion with your soft toothbrush, concentrating on the gumline and always start and end in the same place. That way you will make sure not to miss any parts of your mouth. Unfortunately, most Americans only brush for 45-60 seconds twice a day, and that is just not enough. Many new mechanical toothbrushes have built in timers to help you brush the proper length of time.
Should I rinse with a mouthwash?
The use of a mouthwash is fine to give yourself a fresh feeling. Try to use an alcohol free mouthwash if possible. Mouthwashes which contain alcohol can dry out the lining of your mouth and decrease saliva flow. Both of these symptoms can contribute to increased bacterial growth and lessen the mouths natural defenses.
What toothpaste should I use?
It does not matter what brand of toothpaste you use as long as it contains Fluoride. Just choose a toothpaste that has a pleasant flavor for you.
Common Dental Problems
Do over-the-counter bleaching products work?
There is some evidence that over-the-counter bleaching products do whiten teeth, however these products are not used under the supervision of your dentist and there may be potential problems which may need attention prior to whitening in this way. Also, the trays usually sold with these products do not fit as well as those that are custom made by your dentist. As a result, damage to your gums and teeth is possible.
What can be done for ulcers or canker sores in the mouth?
Ulcers are very difficult to treat. There is no proven technique that will eliminate ulcers. They can occur as a result of trauma or due to a viral source. Depending On their cause there are specific medications that can shorten their duration. Left alone, ulcers will generally diminish and disappear in two weeks.
Dental Procedures
Are X-rays safe? Are they necessary?
The radiation exposure from dental x-rays is much less than the exposure you would get from the X-rays taken by your physician. In fact, you will absorb more radiation by spending a day out in the summer sun. Dental radiographs or X-rays expose the patient to very small amounts of radiation. New digital X-rays can cut that amount down by close to 90% over traditional film X-rays. Your doctor uses these images to detect pathology such as decay, tumors, cysts or other abnormalities not evident to the naked eye. They are an integral part of a complete dental examination.