Milk teeth are softer than adult teeth and cavities tend to progress very fast in children leading to infections. Such infections can impair the diet and nutrition of the child, disturb jaw growth, and impair the eruption of the permanent teeth which develop right under the roots of the permanent teeth. Cavities in milk teeth if left untreated can cause severe damage to the permanent teeth, leading to discolouration, cavities, poor appearance etc leading to compromised dental health for the rest of the child’s life.
The answer is as soon as the baby is born! Babies have gum pads which need to be cleaned daily. This can be done with silicon finger covers or even with sterile gauze. Once the teeth start coming out, they need to be cleaned with a paediatric brush.
The age of 3 years is the right time for the first dental visit. If the child develops cavities/black front teeth/swelling or infection…they can be brought earlier too.
Many a times, a child may have small cavities which can be filled with tooth coloured filling materials. This is only possible if the filling is small and detected early. So please be very vigilant or take your child for a regular check-up. This could save much trauma.
As mentioned earlier, children have very soft teeth and the cavities progress very fast. Sometimes so fast that a child may develop a big swelling over night! It can be scary as a parent to hear that your child needs a Root canal Treatment. But rest assured, it is completely safe and in most cases a tooth saving procedure. Not only does it remove the infection from the milk tooth, but also protects the underlying, developing permanent tooth from getting infected before it gets chance to raise its head in the oral cavity.
It is a simple procedure, where the infected tissue is removed, and the root are filled up by resorbable material. A cap maybe planned for your child if needed so that he/she can chew well and to protect the tooth from further break down. Remember your child’s milk teeth are needed for 12 years to eat well. These teeth are needed for nutrition and damage to them can impair your child’s growth and development.
In children who have deep groves in their molars or have a tendency for dental cavities, filling is done to seal these teeth from bacterial attack. A thin layer of filling material is flowed on the area. No drilling is done. Such a filling is an excellent method for prevention of cavities. These sealants are available in fun colours too, motivating the child to monitor and participate in his/her dental hygiene.
Enamel which has a good content of fluoride, I known to fight tooth decay better. Your dentist applies a fluoride gel to the surfaces of your child’s teeth. This strengthens the enamel and prevents cavities. This is the simplest, most effective, and non-invasive method to prevent decay. If done at the right time periods, as designed by your dentist, can lead to stronger, cavity free teeth for life.
Our team of doctors will guide you to what practices are best for your child and how to maintain oral hygiene in a manner which is tailored to your child’s needs. Brushing techniques, diet, and nutritional changes etc will all be explained after a thorough evaluation
When there is disparity in growth of the jaws/ crooked teeth, preventive appliances can be fabricated which will reduce the time of orthodontic or surgical correction at a later stage.
The earlier a child learns good dental habits, the more beneficial it is. Early detection and treatment can lead toa healthy dentition for a lifetime, saving much expense and pain.