Youngest patients in Auburn Hills, MI develop healthy habits by visiting a family dental practice early and regularly
With family dentistry as a cornerstone, the Metropolitan Dental Center team enjoys seeing patients of all ages. Of course, we like to see our patients as a preventative measure to maintain good oral health. Unfortunately, dental cavities or caries are the most common chronic childhood disease. Early childhood caries is four times more prevalent than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.
There are also unique childhood risks and implications associated with these damaging holes in the teeth.
You can first prevent baby bottle decay and ensuing cavities by filling the bottle only with formula or milk. Stay away from sugar-containing drinks, including juices that may seem healthy. Infants should only have water if they must have a bottle in bed.
Other decay-causing habits specific to children include sucking on thumbs or other objects. Most children should stop this habit by around the age of four. If allowed to continue for a prolonged period, it can create problems with tooth alignment and bite.
If a baby tooth is lost early, adult teeth might not grow in properly. There is no existing tooth to help guide the new one into the right place. Teeth can become crowded and crooked.
A bad bite may also result from some of the habits mentioned here. These alignment-related issues present a challenge to proper oral hygiene, as children may be unable to thoroughly clean between the teeth. Teeth that don’t develop properly are also subject to premature wear, and greater risk of chipping and fractures.
Children with oral conditions may be unable to pronounce words correctly. They may become self-conscious about how they talk and look. All of these factors can have far-reaching effects on children’s social and academic lives.
As decay progresses, pus-filled infections can form and, while rare, may spread to other parts of the body and require swift medical attention. Teeth may eventually break down and look like small stumps.
It’s recommended that all children have their first dental visit by age one. A preventive measure may be the use of sealants in hard-to-reach back teeth to protect the tooth surface from decay. Should a child have tooth loss, we can discuss stainless steel or plastic products to hold the space for permanent teeth to grow in properly.
For a family dental practice near Auburn Hills MI to address every life stage, call .
There are also unique childhood risks and implications associated with these damaging holes in the teeth.
Causes
Does your young child still use a bottle? Make sure he or she isn’t put to bed with a sugary substance. Many parents may use the bottle as a pacifier. When baby is exposed to sugary substances from the bottle for long periods, he or she is also exposed to the mix of sugars and oral bacteria that produce tooth-rotting acid.You can first prevent baby bottle decay and ensuing cavities by filling the bottle only with formula or milk. Stay away from sugar-containing drinks, including juices that may seem healthy. Infants should only have water if they must have a bottle in bed.
Other decay-causing habits specific to children include sucking on thumbs or other objects. Most children should stop this habit by around the age of four. If allowed to continue for a prolonged period, it can create problems with tooth alignment and bite.
Implications
Regardless of age, decay and damage can cause painful infections, misalignment, and broken teeth. School days may be missed due to pain. Eating may become awkward or uncomfortable, leading to poor nutrition during a life stage when proper development is critical.If a baby tooth is lost early, adult teeth might not grow in properly. There is no existing tooth to help guide the new one into the right place. Teeth can become crowded and crooked.
A bad bite may also result from some of the habits mentioned here. These alignment-related issues present a challenge to proper oral hygiene, as children may be unable to thoroughly clean between the teeth. Teeth that don’t develop properly are also subject to premature wear, and greater risk of chipping and fractures.
Children with oral conditions may be unable to pronounce words correctly. They may become self-conscious about how they talk and look. All of these factors can have far-reaching effects on children’s social and academic lives.
What to watch out for
Decay in early childhood may first present itself as a chalky-white, halo-shaped area very near the gum-line. If overlooked, widespread brown areas of decay may become visible.As decay progresses, pus-filled infections can form and, while rare, may spread to other parts of the body and require swift medical attention. Teeth may eventually break down and look like small stumps.
It’s recommended that all children have their first dental visit by age one. A preventive measure may be the use of sealants in hard-to-reach back teeth to protect the tooth surface from decay. Should a child have tooth loss, we can discuss stainless steel or plastic products to hold the space for permanent teeth to grow in properly.
For a family dental practice near Auburn Hills MI to address every life stage, call .