In so many years of practice, the one thing that my heart completely goes out to is my paediatric patients. I’ve seen all ages and the youngest being as old as two years or maybe a little younger. I remember his mother wooing him into our operatory. And while I watched them I heard her promise him a bar of chocolate if he was a good boy! Really now!
But this kid was a frail little young fellow all of two years with wide innocent eyes and really deep cavities bordering on root canals! I’m sure they were performed by a very competent dentist like Dr. Castleberry DDS.
All the while that I entertained him and gently examined him, I kept wishing his parents had not waited this long and started his dental care a little earlier.
Granted, with the coronavirus pandemic right now, taking your kids to the dentist may be the last thing that you want to do. Being scared of being infected is valid, but yours and your children’s dental health is important, especially if you need to access emergency dental treatment. You can learn more about dental care during Covid-19 on the Mavcure article, which is hoped to help you feel a little safer.
However, what really needs to be discussed is how you can take care of your child’s dental hygiene:
What’s a good age to start dental care for babies?
When the first tooth pushes through is the perfect time to start. I personally don’t prefer gauze or cotton to wipe the teeth. If these aren’t sterile they can induce infection. There are small silicone brushes available that are really soft and can be worn on the index finger to clean the teeth.
Are some kids more prone to decay?
Our crazy lives contribute to crazy life styles leaving little time and patience for our kids. Very often a tired mother will find it very easy to shove a bottle of milk into a wailing infant’s mouth and getting them to sleep. This can spell absolute disaster for the teeth. The sweetened milk pools around the teeth and stays there all night. The leads to all the teeth in contact with the milk getting decayed and often termed as milk bottle caries. Always a good idea to follow up the milk bottle with plain water so the effect of the milk around the teeth is neutralised.
Structural Deficiency:
There are times when even after impeccable care the child may develop decay. This can be attributed to a developmental deficiency in the teeth. The teeth that are formed may be weaker in nature due to some childhood illness, mother being on medication during her pregnancy, effect of medication on a young child. These weak teeth are very prone to easy decay and need plenty of follow up.
Milk Teeth and Dental Treatment:
Very often I have parents ask me if it’s necessary to treat milk teeth since they are going to be falling anyways?
It’s essential to preserve milk teeth. These teeth maintain the space for the future permanent teeth. The milk teeth create space for the permanent teeth making sure there is no crowding as the jaw grows.
If, however the condition of the tooth is really bad and extraction is a must then the dentist will place a small appliance called a space maintainer that will prevent crowding of teeth at a later date.
Root canals for Milk Teeth?
Very deep decay can warrant a root canal for the milk teeth and the parents are pretty aghast at the thought of a root canal for the milk teeth. Root canals for milk teeth are routinely done to preserve badly decayed teeth. However, there is a small difference in the way root canals are done for adult teeth and milk teeth.
Preparing your child for a dental visit:
- Positive Reinforcement –The way parents discuss the first visit with the child plays a huge role in how the child will accept the first visit.
- Make sure you pick an office that is not rushed and spends enough time with the child to avoid scaring the child.
- Remember it’s a whole new alien environment for the child and being fearful is normal
- The first appointment should generally be an orientation to the dental office. Introducing all the equipment in a play format will make the child comfortable and more compliant
- Children are intelligent and understand well. Make sure you discuss the appointment positively with them. Don’t try to threaten or scare the child into compliance. That can be the worst strategy.
Quick Tips for Cavity Free Baby Teeth:
- Introduce the child to the concept of cleaning the mouth right from the age of 6 months by gently moving your fingers over the gums initially and the teeth once they erupt
- Try and minimise on the sugary treats and chocolates.
- Each meal should end with finger foods like sliced cucumbers or carrot. These act like self-cleansers and clean out the tooth preventing a buildup of plaque.
- Fluoridated toothpaste the size of a pea can be used to brush teeth.
- If a compliant older sibling is undergoing treatment make sure the younger one watches. This makes it easier for the younger sibling to accept treatment more easily and the older child acts as a role model.
- Tiny treats like erasers, pencils, badges or tattoos for the young patients make them look a forward to treatment. This way they learn to associate their dental appointments with fun and are easier to deal with.
So here’s hoping the little ones in your family have a sparkly set of pearly whites! I sign off now till next week!
Dr Shail Jaggi is a passionate dentist with specialisation in cosmetic dentistry and endodontics. She manages an Advanced Microscope Enhanced Practice – Dentalwiz dealing with all aspects of dentistry. Dr Jaggi is recipient of ‘Outstanding Dentist Of The Year -2015′
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