Before a child goes to the dentist, he/she will almost certainly have a dental experience of some sort at home. It all starts with the parents or carer – the observant adult. A parent would be one of the first few people who notices the first few pearly whites. And who can forget the teething period where everything seems to be that bit harder to deal with?
When should a child go to the dentist?
Almost every expectant parent will have to bring their child to a dentist at least once. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the 1st dental visit to be no later than a child’s 1st birthday.
By the age of one year old, a child should have at least 4-5 of their milk teeth. However, it could vary from child to child. Hence, it is ideal for a dentist to monitor the child’s dentition at least annually to ensure smooth dental development. A rough rule of thumb is that the age in months minus six gives the average number of teeth, and this rule is valid up to 2 years old.
Teething – What is it and how to deal with it?
During teething, the milk tooth which has been developing within the jaw moves into its position within the mouth – this process is also known as tooth eruption. Possible symptoms associated with teething include irritability, increased salivation, runny nose, loss of appetite, diarrhea, rash, sleep disturbance and slight increase in temperature.
However, should a child be experiencing more severe signs and symptoms such as fever above 39C, he or she should be brought to a doctor. This is because there might be another cause.
With regards to relieving teething symptoms, there have been many studies and debatable old wives’ tales and remedies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using cold items such as pacifiers, spoons, clean wet washcloths or refrigerated teething rings. The cold may help to soothe the gums.
It is advisable to seek a health professional’s advice should parents decide to use any sort of pain-relieving medication or gels. This ensures the correct dosage is used since certain medicament may cause local reactions.
Caring for the milk teeth
Once their first milk teeth have erupted, parents should brush their child’s teeth twice daily with a soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. With the parent’s help, this increases efficacy and hence, a better reduction of plaque within the mouth. Understandably, this may not be an easy feat. However, it will be rewarding to preserve the milk teeth and also help the child get used to the initially foreign sensations of having their teeth cleaned.
Caring for a child’s teeth is part and parcel of caring for a child’s overall health. With efficient plaque removal twice daily via tooth brushing, the child will have a lower risk of tooth decay and bleeding gums. The dentist should be able to provide advice on which toothpaste and toothbrush to use.
Tooth decay is one of the main causes of dental pain in children. The chief culprit behind it all is sugar, unsurprisingly. Toddlers should not be sleeping with a bottle containing milk, fruit juices or sweet drinks. This is because prolonged exposure to the hidden sugars within those liquids will only lead to tooth decay in milk teeth.
It is especially important to watch a child’s sugar intake as milk teeth are very prone to decay due to their anatomical structure. The American Dental Association suggests wiping the child’s gums with a wet washcloth or clean gauze pad after each feeding.
Sources:
1. Ashley MP, Br Dent J. 2001 Jul 14. It’s only teething…a report of the myths and modern approaches to teething.;191(1):4-8.
Hale KJ, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Pediatric Dentistry. 2003 May. Oral health risk assessment timing and establishment of the dental home; 111(5 Pt 1):1113-6.
2. Joana Ramos-Jorge, Isabela A. Pordeus, Maria L. Ramos-Jorge, and Saul M. Paiva Pediatrics. August 8, 2011. Prospective Longitudinal Study of Signs and Symptoms Associated With Primary Tooth Eruption. 2011; 128:3 471-476. doi:10.1542/peds. 2010-2697
Owais AI, Zawaideh F, Bataineh O. 2010 Feb. Challenging parents’ myths regarding their children’s teething.;8(1):28-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2009.00412.x. Erratum in: Int J Dent Hyg. 2010 Nov;8(4):324. PMID: 20096079
Koch G, Lindhe J. 1970. The state of the gingivae and caries increment in school children during and after withdrawal of various prophylactic measures. In McHugh W D (ed) Dental Plaque. pp271– 281. Edinburgh: Livingstone.
3. Huebner, C. E., & Riedy, C. A. 2010. Behavioral Determinants of Brushing Young Children’s Teeth: Implications for Anticipatory Guidance. Pediatric Dentistry, 32(1), 48–55.
Wake, et al. 2000. Teething and Tooth Eruption in Infants: A Cohort Study. 106:6 1374-1379
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