Facts about Baby Teeth

 

Even though they will eventually fall out, baby teeth still play an important role in your child's overall health and development. That said, it's important to make sure you take good care of them! 

While you're at it, here are some facts about baby teeth you can really sink your teeth into:

• No two people have the same set of teeth. They are as unique as your fingerprint!
• Bones are NOT as strong as teeth. It’s true, tooth enamel - the outer most layer of the tooth - is the strongest substance in the human body.
• Unlike bones or other parts of the body - teeth cannot heal themselves. That’s why dental fillings and other work is necessary to protect them from further damage.
• Although you can’t seem them yet - they are there! Baby teeth, or milk teeth, start forming in the womb and start to come through when the child is between 6-12 months old.
• A baby’s bottom incisors (bottom front teeth) are usually the first to come through at around 5 to 7 months old.
• Baby teeth should be brushed as soon as they appear - use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth.
• Baby teeth are prone to decay just like adult or permanent teeth - that’s why we advise giving your child water in a bottle at bedtime. Exposure to any form of sugar (including milk!) while asleep can add to Early Childhood Decay.
• You can actually catch a cavity! Cavity-causing bacteria can be passed from person to person - either by sharing drinks, kissing a loved one, or when a parent tastes food to ensure it’s not too hot for the child. This bacteria can also be transmitted if a parent “cleans” off a pacifier by sucking on it before giving it back to their little one.
• In prehistoric times, kids likely did not suffer with tooth decay. Why? The American Dental Association says this is because sugar was not a regular part of their diet! 

For more information on children's oral health- give us a call! At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever. Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years. We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park, and West Islip.

Caring For Tiny Teeth

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When teeth and gums are cared for at an early age, they are less likely to suffer dental health problems down the line. To ensure your little ones have happy and healthy smiles through their early years - follow our tips for caring for tiny teeth below:

Don’t Delay Dental Care - Even if teeth haven’t reached the surface yet, oral care should start immediately. Clean any and all objects that may find their way into your child’s mouth to prevent the spread of bacteria. You’ll also want to start caring for your baby’s gums twice a day or after feedings. Take a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze and gently wipe down the gums.

Brush Early - Spot a tooth breaking through? Hooray! Time to invest in baby’s first brush. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with water. After age 3, use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to make sure children do not swallow excess toothpaste. 

Introduce Fluoride Appropriately - Fluoride can be harmful to infants and as such should not be introduced to them until age 3. Even at this age, only a small amount of fluoride should be used. 

Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit - Once their first birthday rolls around, it’s time to schedule that first visit with us! This helps us get them on a path to a lifetime of great oral health!

 

If you have any questions about your child’s teeth, give one of our offices a call! We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment, in three different Long Island locations. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news! 

Baby Teeth Myths

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Image Courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We all want what is best for our children - including their teeth. But with all the information and misconceptions out there, sometimes it can be hard to sort through what is fact and what is fiction. To help you out, we’ve listed some of the most common myths and facts about your child’s teeth below:

MYTH 1 - Since permanent teeth come in, the baby teeth don’t matter
Just because baby teeth fall out, doesn’t mean they aren’t susceptible to the same decay and disease as adult teeth. If your child’s baby teeth aren’t properly cared for, bacteria and decay can easily be passed down to the tooth waiting to come in behind it. Additionally, baby teeth serve as placeholders in the mouth - having these teeth fall out too early (due to lack of care/decay) can cause crowding when the permanent teeth start to move in.

MYTH 2 - Most children have cavities due to their ‘soft’ teeth.
There is no such thing as soft teeth! Enamel of both baby teeth and adult teeth is the hardest substance in the body. Cavities can develop due to a poor diet (take sugary juices into consideration) and from the transferring of utensils/cleaning off pacifiers in the parent’s mouths.

MYTH 3 - My child is able to brush his/her own teeth
While it may appear that your child is capable of brushing their own teeth, chances are they struggle with getting those hard to reach places. While its certainly important to get them into the habit of brushing their own teeth, you may still want to oversee their brushing efforts to make sure they are getting the job done!

MYTH 4- Dentist appointments aren’t necessary for a few years
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child should visit the dentist by their first birthday or six months after the eruption of their first tooth. By establishing a dental home early, you will be more likely to avoid serious dental issues that could result in extensive treatment and even possible sedation.

If you have more questions or concerns about these common baby teeth myths, give us a call! At Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental our purpose is to provide exceptional mental and dental care that can impact your child’s life forever.  Our practice has been providing excellent pediatric dentistry to children of Long Island for over 14 years.  We have three locations: Nesconset, Massapequa Park and our newest location in West Islip. 

Won’t They Fall Out Anyway?

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Many people neglect to realize that a child’s oral health can affect their overall health. There is a large misconception that cavities in primary (baby) teeth don’t need to be treated since they eventually fall out and are replaced by permanent (adult) teeth. But did you know, when a child has cavities they are actually more susceptible to infections in other parts of their bodies?

It has been noted that kids with cavities are prone to infections of the ears and sinuses as well. Overall, having unhealthy primary teeth unleashes a whole slew of possible problems for your child:

• Due to dental discomfort children have reported trouble sleeping and poor school performance due to the inability to concentrate.
• Tooth decay can cause difficulty chewing and in turn can lead to a decreased appetite.  Being that children are constantly growing they need a good appetite for both physical and mental growth.
• If the cavity becomes large and the tooth is deemed un-restorable, it may need to be extracted or removed, thus increasing the chance of speech articulation difficulties. Missing teeth can also lead to low self-esteem or social ostracism.
• When a baby tooth has a significant infection it is possible that the permanent tooth erupts out of proper position.  When this occurs there is an increased risk of gum disease and an increase chance that the child will need orthodontics (braces).

One of the reasons we are seeing an increase in dental decay is that children are not seeing the dentist early enough.  Baby teeth can develop decay from the very moment they erupt into the mouth at about 6 months old.  That is why the first exam is recommended by 12 months of age.  We hope you now realize just how important infant oral health is, and how crucial the age 1 dental visit is. 

Help your child start positive oral health from their very first tooth.  Call us to schedule your appointment 631-360-PEDS (7337)!

 

Birth - 3 Years Old: Learn About Your Child's Teeth

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

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Following yesterday's successful Toddler Time at our office, we wanted to share a bit more about what you should know and expect in the early years of your child's life, where oral health is concerned.

The 20 baby teeth that appear in the first 3 years are key for chewing, speaking, and appearance. They also act as space holders in the jaws for upcoming adult teeth. Even though they fall out, these baby teeth are still important and they must be cared for properly to avoid tooth decay.

Yes, baby teeth are at risk for tooth decay! The good news is decay is mostly preventable. It usually begins when cavity-causing bacteria is passed to the child (ex: putting the baby spoon or pacifier in your mouth and then your baby's mouth). It can also happen when your child has frequent or long exposure to liquids that contain sugar.

So make sure you keep your child's gums and teeth clean. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean gauze pad after each feeding and when your child's teeth start coming through, brush their teeth with a pea-sized amount of flouride toothpaste and make sure they spit it out.

Any questions about how to care for your baby's teeth, contact us at any of our offices!

For more tips and information, please visit 2min2x.org