Teething Baby, Dentist for children, kids and toddlers in Brampton

Dr. Sonia Sharma

Soon after my article about ‘Pregnancy and Dental care’ I had received numerous phone calls concerning “what’s next”? “Naturally your child’s milk teeth”, I explained. “But those teeth are temporary, aren’t they? So, why big fuss…

Much is written and said about this topic of children teeth but there are often concerns amongst young parents about milk teeth or ‘baby teeth’ of their children. Parents get anxious on any kind of delay in the eruption process. Unfortunately, once the teeth are erupted we tend to neglect them. Temporary teeth, why bother! Few remember from past that some of these teeth do not shed until 12 or 13 years of age!

Healthy baby teeth will help your toddler look good, eat well and learn how to speak clearly. The baby teeth also guide the permanent teeth into their correct position. Kids not only suffer from unbearable pain that we as parents consider insignificant, but they also suffer from low self-esteem. It is well documented in children psychology journals that, kids with stained or decayed teeth tend to shy away from others and may lack appropriate social skills and desired level of confidence. Poor oral hygiene also stays with the kids all their life, as they could never understand the importance of dental care from their very younger years. Teeth become a secondary issue in any order of importance. If not challenged at the onset, our changing dietary habits and lack of awareness will consequently lead more young and middle-aged people on complete or partial dentures.

Good dental health care for your baby should start even before the first new teeth appear. This is an important step towards a lifetime of healthy teeth. Keeping teeth for life is an attitude you are inculcating into them and I am sure they will be highly appreciative of it in their later years.

Q- My child is already 7 months old and has just one tooth, Is this normal?

A-Children have own schedule of teething. Most children begin teething at about six months and most “baby” teeth are in by 3 years of age. The bottom front teeth usually appear first, followed by the top front teeth. Following diagram shows the time period during which a child gets the milk teeth (primary teeth)

Q- Is teething painful? How do I help my baby with teething?

A-Most children have no teething problems, but teething can often cause some discomfort, making the baby difficult, irritable, and not wanting to eat. If a child has a fever or diarrhea when teething, contact your family doctor as there is generally no relationship between teething and diarrhea. Babies like to chew on everything during this time to alleviate their discomfort and thus they pick up grimy objects causing stomach upsets.  They may feel better if allowed to chew on a clean, chilled teething ring or wet cloth hand towel. Teething cookies or biscuits are NOT a good choice, because they can stick to your baby’s teeth and could cause tooth decay. Always check with a health professional before using teething gels, ointments or teething tablets.

Clean your child’s mouth every day. Start soon after birth by wiping all around your baby’s mouth with a clean, wet face cloth or soft baby toothbrush. This will get the child used to regular cleaning, and can also ease teething discomfort. Once teeth appear (at about 6 months of age) smear a little fluoride toothpaste on a wet face cloth or baby toothbrush and gently clean your baby’s teeth. It is important to get into the habit of doing this for your baby twice a day.

Q-Every one talks about fluoride, is it effective cavity fighter? How do we get it?

A-Fluoride is a proven effective and low cost cavity fighter and fortunately most Ontario municipality water supply augment the natural water fluoride level to between 0.8 and 1.0 parts per million.  Fluoride is also added to most brands of toothpaste, and is found naturally in some water supplies. If you are unsure if your water supply contains optimum fluoride, call your local health unit. During regular twice a year dental check ups, dentist also treats younger kids with flavored fluoride treatment.

Q- My three years old had beautiful teeth, but suddenly they are worn down and discolored. What should I do?

This is a clear case of bottle fed carries. Avoid adding sugar to the milk bottle as well as nighttime bottle-feeds, if possible. You must consult your dentist as soon as possible. If left untreated, these caries will extend to the root and may result in an evasive and expensive treatment. When babies start solid foods at around 4 to 6 months introduce them to using a cup so that bottle-feed may be avoided without affecting the baby’s milk consumption. Cleaning is needed to remove food and bacteria that stick to their teeth.

Q-What must I check when looking for a soother?

A-Soothers are sometimes given to infants at rest and sleep times or at other times when the baby has been fed but still wants to continue sucking. After feeding is well established, if you choose to give your baby a soother here are a few tips:

• Choose a soother that is the right size for your baby’s mouth. Check the soother nipple often; if it is sticky, cracked or torn, replace it.
• Never put the baby’s soother in your own mouth.  This can infect your child with your germs that cause tooth decay.
• Soothers should never be dipped in honey or other sweet substances as this can also cause tooth decay.

Please remember that the information is provided as general information. It is NOT intended to replace professional care. Since every patient and every case may vary, consult your physician or dentist for advice on your particular situation.

Connect With Us: