Pediatric Dentistry

Much like adults, children’s teeth are important too.

Importance of primary teeth (milk teeth):

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• These teeth are the first erupt to help the baby chew and perform regular functions such as speech, swallowing etc.
• They serve to fill the jaws and help their growth, thus aiding in formation of the face.
• Guide the eruption of permanent teeth in a proper manner.
• Help attain good Nutrition (Missing or decayed teeth makes it difficult to chew).

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CARING FOR A CHILDS TEETH

• Childs teeth and gums should be brushed at least twice a day, especially before going to bed.
• Consult a dentist every 6 months. Let the dentist know if your child sucks thumb or breathes through mouth.
• Teach your child to eat a healthy diet for the sake of his/her teeth and gums.

Myths and facts about primary teeth:

Myth Fact
• Cavities (decay) in milk teeth don’t matter… anyway permanent teeth will erupt in its place • Many times milk teeth are prematurely lost due to decay leading to inadequate space for the permanent tooth to erupt. Sometimes badly infected primary teeth can also cause problems in the permanent teeth.
• There is no need to clean my baby’s teeth • Baby’s teeth need to be cleaned as soon as they erupt because tooth decay can begin as early as 6 months of age.
• Children don’t need to see a dentist until they are older • As mentioned above, dental decay can begin as soon as the first teeth erupt (about 6 months). Regular check-ups can prevent extensive treatment at a later date. Remember ‘A stitch in time saves nine.’ • Some babies may also have problems when teeth are erupting into the mouth. This could vary from soreness and fever to severe pain. Visiting a dentist in this stage may help reduce symptoms.
• Root canal treatment is very expensive • If you consider the costs of having a tooth removed and replaced, the cost of a root canal treatment would seem very small.
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