Baby teeth development

How can I help my child have healthy teeth ?

Start brushing your baby’s teeth in the morning and
evening as soon as they appear. Initially you can
hold him on your lap and brush from behind. When
he’s old enough to sit or stand unaided, brush from
the front. Even when he can brush by himself, you
should supervise his technique. Only give fruit juice
at mealtimes and avoid bedtime drinks unless he
brushes afterward. If your child has sweet food, get
him to eat it all at once rather than lingering over it.
Encourage him to choose healthy snacks and make
sure his diet is rich in calcium, minerals, and vitamins.
Begin dental checkups at an early age.

Are carbonated diet drinks better for teeth ?

No. Carbonated diet drinks don’t contain sugar, so
you might think they’re tooth-friendly, but their
acidity makes them harmful—when dissolved,
carbon dioxide makes carbonic acid. Put a coin into
a diet drink and watch it being eaten away.

Does my child need fluoride drops ?

It depends on where you live. Sometimes fluoride is
already in the water, either occurring naturally or
because it has been added by the water provider. If
your area doesn’t have fluoride in the water, your
child may need drops from babyhood onward. Too
much fluoride may discolor the teeth permanently,
so don’t give fluoride drops without first seeking
advice from your doctor or pediatrician.

Can medicines affect my child’s teeth ?

All medicines containing sugar can have an adverse
effect on a child’s teeth. Many are now available
in sugar-free formulations that still taste good to
children. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for sugarfree
alternatives whenever possible. Some antibiotics
can also be detrimental to dental enamel, especially
tetracycline. This is why they shouldn’t be given to
children under 12 years old (or to women who are
pregnant or breast-feeding).

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TAKE MY CHILD TO THE DENTIST ?

Your child needs to visit the dentist regularly—at least every six months—for checkups, even if her teeth look perfect. It’s important for her to get used to sitting in the chair without fear. Look for a dentist who is good with young children—ask your friends, neighbors, or doctor.

When should I start taking her to the dentist ? I think the earlier you start, the better. You can leave it until the age of two. Better still, you can take her as soon as she has teeth, even if it’s just to watch you sitting in the chair (if going to the dentist usually worries you, try to hide the fact!). At first your child will probably want to sit on your lap to be “examined”—in reality these visits will be little more than a social call because there aren’t many teeth to examine. As she grows older, she’ll be able sit in the chair on her own. What if my child does need treatment ? Try to be calm, but don’t pretend it won’t hurt. Many new techniques reduce pain and avoid the noise of the drill, but some treatments can hurt. If a cavity is shallow, she may need no injection, but a deeper one may demand an injection of local anesthetic—the gum can be numbed first with a cream. The dentist may recommend a sedative or even a general anesthetic, in which case ask for the treatment to be carried out in a hospital where an anesthesiologist will be present during the procedure.

Will my child need a filling ? Most children’s primary teeth never need a filling, but it’s important to treat any cavity before it enlarges and becomes painful (if it isn’t already) and the tooth needs to be taken out. A child shouldn’t have to lose a primary tooth prematurely since these teeth affect speech development. Loss of primary teeth too early can also cause poor positioning of the permanent teeth.