5 things every Parent should know about their children's teeth!
It's pretty confusing to be a parent these days. There is so much information available about our children's health and sometimes things can seem very complicated. Here are answers to the 5 questions parents ask me most often about their children's teeth. Some of the answers may surprise you!
My daughter is 6 months old and doesn't have any baby teeth, is there something wrong? There is no right or wrong when it comes to when the first baby tooth comes in or what order they come in. Some children are born with a tooth and some are over one year of age when they get their first tooth. Kids will usually have all of their baby teeth by age 3. So don't lose any sleep about this one!
When should I bring Johnny in for his first dental appointment? Children should have a first dental appointment before age one. This allows us to check to make sure things are developing well (for example, is there a tongue tie that may interfere with feeding or speech development?, are there any early signs of decay?) At this stage, we can work together to focus our attention on prevention--How to look after your baby's teeth, when to introduce fluoridated water or toothpaste, when to stop night time milk feedings, when and what to give as snacks and the list continues...
What kind of water is best for teeth? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and has a protective effect on teeth. Spring water and filtered water may not have enough (or any!) fluoride to help in the fight against tooth decay. If you are drinking bottled water at home or are using an in home filtration system, double check to see the amount of fluoride that is actually in the water and discuss this with your dentist to see if there is any increased risk of cavities.
I noticed that my baby has started sucking his thumb, does that mean he will have crooked teeth? If your child uses a pacifier or sucks his/her thumb it doesn't necessarily mean that they will need braces. The key here is ensuring that these habits are eliminated by around 4 years of age. Your dentist will work with you to stop the habit by this age.
Baby teeth will fall out, so why bother treating them? Though they will eventually fall out, baby teeth are very important for proper nutrition, speech development, self-esteem, and for the development of permanent teeth to name a few! Speak with your dentist if you have any concerns about your children's teeth!
PROMO:
Have questions? Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 10 am (starting February 2, 2012) for our Kid's corner. Come and enjoy a coffee with our team! This is an informal gathering to ask Dr. Piracha about your baby's teeth, she will also be available for a complementary oral screening for your child. Call or email to register. See you there!
Address:
1495 Cornwall Road, Unit 34
Oakville, ON L6J 0B2
Contact us today:
905-842-5051, info@dentalworksoakville.com
Web site: http://www.dentalworksoakville.com/
