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A Kids’ Dentist in Fitchburg Explains the 4 Most Common Concerns for Children’s Teeth

June 6, 2019

Filed under: Uncategorized — tntadmin @ 6:19 pm

little girl with mouth pain

You always want what’s best for your child, and that includes their oral health. It can be hard to fully understand how to take care of baby teeth. Believe it or not, some people think that because baby teeth eventually fall out, they don’t even need to be brushed! It’s important to take care of your little one’s teeth no matter how small they are. A kids’ dentist in Fitchburg is here to explain the 4 most common concerns for children’s teeth.

1. Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Also known as early childhood caries, baby bottle tooth decay is when your baby develops cavities from constantly sucking sugary drinks out of their bottle. To prevent tooth decay from a young age, start wiping your baby’s gums with a gauze pad to prevent bacteria from accumulating and harming the erupting teeth. When your little one’s teeth start to come in, brush them gently with a child’s toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Avoid putting sugary drinks like juice or soda inside your baby’s bottle. Stick to formula or milk. Make sure they finish their bottle before they go to bed. Continually sipping down a sugary drink can cause bacteria to build up in their mouth during the night and increase the risk of cavities.

2. Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for very young children, and it can help them feel relaxed and safe. However, most children stop by the age of four. Continuing to suck on their thumb after that age can put your kid at risk for problems with their bite and tooth alignment. Don’t try and prohibit your child from sucking their thumb. The habit may stem from anxiety or some other mental health issue. Talk to your kid’s pediatrician to determine the root of the problem.

3. Malocclusion

Malocclusion, also known as “bad bite,” is a condition where the teeth are crooked, crowded, or not aligned in some way. This is most noticeable between the ages of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth start coming in. Unless you seek treatment early on, bad bite can make it hard to keep teeth clean, increasing your son or daughter’s risk of developing cavities.

4. Dental Emergencies

With any dental emergency, you should contact your pediatric dentist in Fitchburg first and foremost. Here are a few ways to deal with common dental emergencies until you can get to your dentist’s office:

  • Knocked-out tooth: Keep the tooth in a glass of milk, or in your child’s mouth between their cheek and gum.
  • Cracked tooth: Rinse the mouth with warm water. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the area to cut down on pain and swelling.
  • Toothaches: Use warm water to rinse the mouth. Use dental floss to remove anything that may be caught in between teeth. Do not put aspirin on the affected area.

As a parent, you always want your child to be in the best health possible. Follow these steps to ensure that your son or daughter’s oral health remains in tip-top shape.

About the Author

Dr. Derek Leung is a Board-Certified pediatric dentist who is certified in sedation dentistry to help young patients soothe their anxieties about being in the dental chair. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Massachusetts Pediatric Dental Association. To learn more about how he can help your little one’s teeth grow in happy and healthy, click here or call (978)-424-4255.

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