Preventive Dentistry For Kids

What Dental Problems Could My Child Have?

The most common dental problem among children is tooth decay. Tooth decay can affect both baby teeth and adult teeth. It happens when kids eat sugar and other foods and do not brush and floss properly. Over time, oral bacteria begin to break down the food particles on their teeth, and digest them, excreting acid.

This acid, in turn, begins to attack the outside of your child’s teeth, causing tooth decay (cavities). To prevent cavities, it’s important to limit your child’s sugar intake, make sure they're brushing their teeth thoroughly at least twice per day, and bring them to Kids Tooth Team for routine checkups and teeth cleanings every six months.

While they're less common, some other dental problems that affect children can include malocclusion (bite problems), issues with oral development, premature tooth loss, and tongue and lip ties. Children may also experience dental emergencies like broken or cracked teeth if they slip, fall, or otherwise injure their mouths while playing or participating in contact sports.

No matter what dental problems may be affecting your child’s oral health, Kids Tooth Team is here to help. With Dr. Alex and our team on your side, you can get the treatment your little one needs to restore their oral health and prepare for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

Firstly and most obviously, baby teeth are essential for your child’s mouth to function properly. Your child will usually have all of their baby teeth by the time they're three years old, and they usually won’t lose their final baby teeth until the age of about 13. So for about 10 years, your child’s baby teeth will allow them to chew and eat, speak clearly, and smile proudly!

For that reason alone, it’s important for your child to take good care of their baby teeth. They need to brush regularly and eat a healthy diet. And if your child complains of pain, sensitivity, or any other issues with their baby teeth, it’s important to get help from a dentist like Dr. Alex, diagnose the issue, and take steps to keep the baby teeth healthy.

Another reason that baby teeth are so important is that they help form the “paths” that adult teeth take as they emerge, encouraging proper oral development. Your child’s baby teeth help maintain proper spacing in their mouths, allowing their permanent teeth to emerge in the right place. This is why it’s important to get treatment with a space maintainer if your child loses a baby tooth too early. A space maintainer helps keep the gap between their teeth open, and prevents their other teeth from shifting.

How Often Should My Child Visit The Dentist?

Your child should see the dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and an oral exam. And you should start bringing your child to see the dentist when they turn one year old or their first tooth emerges, whichever comes first. Six-month visits with Dr. Alex and the team at Kids Tooth Team are essential for your child’s oral health.

Why? First, routine teeth cleanings can help reduce tartar and plaque buildup, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, and keeping your little one’s smile healthy. Oral exams and x-rays also help us look below the surface, and make sure that hidden cavities and oral development issues are caught early, if present.

But that’s not all, either. Seeing a dentist like Dr. Alex regularly from an early age normalizes dentistry for your kids, and makes them more used to the process of seeing the dentist. They're less likely to be scared, and more likely to enjoy their checkups.

Seeing a dentist regularly also helps your kids learn more about the importance of brushing and flossing, and how to take care of their teeth at home. Our pediatric dentists and hygienists are dedicated to helping little smiles stay healthy. We can answer any questions that you and your little one have about oral health, and keep their teeth healthy and strong!

When Can Kids Start Brushing On Their Own?

Every child is different. But a good rule of thumb is that kids can start brushing on their own whenever they have enough dexterity and good enough motor skills to tie their shoes on their own. This is usually around the age of 5-6 for most kids. Until then, you’ll need to brush your child’s teeth for them twice per day.

Once your child takes over tooth brushing duty, it’s a good idea to make it a family activity. You can lead by example and show your child how to brush their teeth properly and thoroughly, and have fun doing it! You’ll also be able to supervise them, and make sure they're doing a good job. Some kids may not brush for long enough or clean every surface of their teeth, so supervising for a while as they learn is a good idea.

When it comes to flossing, most kids have a harder time learning how to floss, so they may be 7-8 or even older before they can floss on their own. Again, until your child can floss on their own, you should make sure to floss their teeth for them at least once per day. Since it removes food particles that can’t be removed with brushing alone, flossing is essential for reducing your child’s risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Is Fluoride Bad For My Child?

Absolutely not. Fluoride is essential for oral health, both in children and adults. There’s no evidence that it’s harmful, and it’s incredibly powerful at fighting back against cavities. This is because fluoride helps attract certain minerals like calcium and phosphorus to your teeth, rebuilding them and strengthening them.

So rest assured, fluoride is completely safe for kids. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste and using other fluoridated products like mouthwash will not harm your children, and will help them avoid cavities as they grow. That’s something to smile about!