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1.
When will my child loose his/her first tooth?
Teeth vary in shape, size, and location in the mouth. These
variations help with chewing, speaking, and provide facial
shape. Most children have 20 primary (baby teeth) which
usually begin to erupt at about 6 months of age. These primary
teeth will shed at various times throughout childhood. Children
will usually begin to lose teeth when they are about 6 years
old. Under normal conditions, the average age when all primary
teeth are gone is 12.
Tooth Eruption Charts |
2.
What is Early Childhood Caries (ECC)?
Early childhood caries (ECC) is an infectious disease
that can start as soon as an infant’s teeth erupt.
There are many factors that contribute to ECC. Here are
some helpful tips to prevent ECC:
a) Do not put your baby/child to bed
with a bottle/sippy cup filled with milk, formula, juice,
and other sweet liquids. Water is fine. Continuous exposure
to sugary liquids may cause decay due to the prolonged
presence of acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. This
production of acid will start to cause mineral loss from
your child’s teeth resulting in a carious process
(cavities).
b) During the day, do not give your baby/child
a bottle/sippy cup filled with sweet liquids to use as
a pacifier. Again, the liquids sitting on the teeth for
a prolonged period of time may cause tooth decay.
c) If your baby/child uses a pacifier,
do not dip it in anything sweet like sugar or honey.
d) As your child's first tooth begins
to erupt, we recommend that you
schedule his/her first visit to the dentist. This usually
occurs around
their first birthday. At this age, we also recommend transitioning
into a
cup rather than a bottle. |
3.
What is a dental sealant?
Dental
caries (tooth decay) is the most widespread dental disease
among children. However, we can help prevent or reduce
the incidence of decay by applying sealants to your child’s
teeth.
Click
here for More Information about Dental Sealants |
4.
Is sucking on thumbs/fingers harmful?
Sucking is one of a baby’s natural reflexes. As
children get older, they may suck on things like thumbs,
fingers, pacifiers, and other objects to serve different
purposes. Some of these purposes may be to help them feel
secure, to soothe themselves, or to help them relax. When
your child’s permanent (adult teeth) begin to erupt,
sucking habits may cause problems. Some of these problems
may include improper growth of the mouth, misalignment
of teeth, and can cause changes in the roof of the mouth.
When the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt, children
should cease from sucking habits. The usual age for children
to stop is between two and four years old. Here are some
helpful tips to help your child keep from sucking:
a) Praise them for not sucking rather
than scolding them when they do.
b) Ask your dentist to encourage your
child to stop sucking and have them explain what could
happen to their teeth if they don’t stop.
c) If your child is older, talk to your
dentist about making a device to help him/her stop sucking
habits. |
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provided by Colorado licensed general dentists. |
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