A very first visit should be at the time the first tooth appear in the oral cavity.
It can be planed earlier, if a child has a neo natal or natal teeth, facing difficulty in feeding and swallowing due to tongue tie or has any other teething issues.
It is also important during the initial years to address and correct unhealthy oral habits like finger or thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing,nail biting etc. A dental visit at early age enables dentists to provide guidance and effective strategies to help children overcome these habits.
This early intervention can have a significant impact on promoting positive oral health behaviours.
Here at Health port. We do conselling for parents how to take care of milk teeth at preventive and therapeutic levels.
Baby teeth, also called milk teeth, are very important for a child's health. They help with chewing, speech development, smile and overall development of facial muscles and jaw bone.
Baby teeth also help the permanent teeth grow in the right place. If baby teeth fall out too early, it can make the other teeth move and not have enough space for the adult permanent teeth to come in. Baby teeth also help the face and muscles grow correctly.
Baby teeth are also important for speaking correctly. If baby teeth are damaged/ discoloured/ missing or crooked teeth can affect the confidence .It's really important to take good care of baby teeth to make sure kids grow up healthy and happy.
Kid should visit the dentist at least once every 6 months. This allow for regular dental care to be performed by the pediatric dentist including
• A early sign of tooth decay can catch the cavities early on and ensure that they are removed and a dental filling or rct ( pulpectomy) are done as required also crown will be placed to treat the cavity.
• Cleaning are important because children do not brush their teeth properly and the plaque will be build up around the tooth that could eventually turn into harmful decay.
• Preventive treatment like fluoride varnish and pit and fissure sealant in long term to prevent tooth decay.
• To prevent tooth decay in children, it is important to teach them good oral hygiene habits from an early age. This include brushing their teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste
• Rinsing after every meal.
• Fluoride treatment can be used to promote remineralization and effectively treat. However ,if the decay has progressed to appoint where it is irreversible, a dental filling is necessary to prevent further deterioration of the cavity. In cases where the cavity is large and the pulp of the tooth is infected or exposed,a pulpectomy may be required, involving the removal of damaged or infected pulp followed by a filling or crown.if the affected area is too extensive for a filling a crown may be recommended to cover the exposed hole and restore the tooth’s structure.
• Additionally diet rich in vitamin D, calcium helps in reducing the formation of caries and enamel and strengthening teeth and gums.
• Use of pit and fissure sealants also play important role in preventing decay.
Dental pit and fissure sealant are a liquid coating in permanent back teeth. These teeth have grooves and pit that make them difficult to clean effectively. Sealants act as protective barrier, preventing food from getting trapped in cervices and minimizing the growth of bacteria thus promoting the oral health.
Children should consider getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14, although children as young as seven can sometimes be consider. Waiting for full jaw growth ensure optimal results. Intervening early through interceptive orthodontics can modify growth growth patterns, minimising severe issues like crowded teeth or crossbites. Treatment choice choices ranges from traditional metal to ceramic, Invisalign and potentially headgear for specific cases. Every child is different ,so treatment approach will vary.
Invisalign is a convenient and effective alternative to traditional braces for child.It’s removable, allowing for normal activities like eating, brushing,drinking ( except water). It treat common issues like crooked tooth, underbite, overbite,openbite,crossbite and requires less time at the dentist. While aligners can get lost, replacements are available. Cleaning them is easy and invisalign reduces the risk of cavities compared to braces. Most importantly, Invisalign boost confidence by eliminating the social stigma associated with braces. And none it can be started at a very early age unlike braces.
Establishing good oral hygiene habits from an early age is crucial for child’s dental health. Brushing should be initiated as soon as the first tooth appears with a soft children tooth brush. You can also use a soft wet cloth to wipe to over teeth and gums. Clear all surfaces of teeth and gums twice a day in morning and at night. For children aged 0-3 years it’s recommended to use a small soft tooth brush and parent should brush and floss their child ‘s twice a day. Between aged 3 – 6 should assist their children with brushing and a green pea sized amount of toothpaste. For children over 6 supervision is necessary during brushing and flossing.
Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes each time is an essential oral hygiene practice.Children often struggle to guage the duration of two minutes brushing . Electric toothbrush with built in timer have simplified this task ensuring the brush for recommended time.
The dental x-ray used by most dental professional today are completlely safe for children, because they are now digital , they use upto 90% less radiation than traditional flim.