When should I take my child to the dentist for the first
check-up?
On the first birthday or when the first tooth
appears.
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Aren't milk teeth
temporary. Why does one have to fill them?
Primary or milk teeth/baby teeth are important for variety
of reasons. Milk teeth help children speak clearly and chew
efficiently and naturally and also help in the growth of
the jaw and aid forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.
Therefore one should fill them.
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Is thumb sucking
is harmful for a child's teeth?
Thumb
sucking and pacifier sucking are habits which will in all
probability become a problem if they go on for a very long
time. These habits normally die down on their own, but if
the child continues to suck the thumbs or fingers when
the permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by your pediatric dentist.
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What must I do to
prevent decay caused by nursing and bottle feeding?
Avoid anything other than water in their bed-time bottle
or before they go to sleep. One must also learn the proper
way to clean your child's teeth.
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How often does my
child need to see the pediatric dentist?
Depending on
the child's personal oral health, your pediatric dentist can tell
you when and how often the child should make an appointment
for a check-up. A visit every six months to the pediatric
dentist is a good way to prevent cavities as well as any developing
eruption problems.
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What are pit and fissure sealants?
As the name suggest sealants are resin based liquids which set in the crevices
(pits/fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food,
particularly that which can get caught in the teeth, causing
cavities. The application is fast and comfortable without drilling of any cavity and can effectively reduce the risk of
tooth decay for years. This is particularly
advised for permanent 1st and 2nd molars.
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What's
in a tooth?
One only needs to have a toothache to understand how
important it is!!
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What
are Dental emergencies?
The following situations are not out of the ordinary, but
are cause for panic & pain. Some of the things that parents/care givers or teachers can do to help the child
are listed below:
Broken
Tooth
Gently Clean or rinse dirt from the area around the
break. Place a cold pack on the face in the area of the broken
took to minimize lip or facial swelling. If the fracture
is more than half of the tooth, see the dentist
immediately.
Knocked
Out Tooth
For permanent teeth -- Find the tooth. Handle the
tooth by the crown, not root. If the tooth is dirty,
gently rinse it in cold water, but DO NOT scrub or handle
the root unnecessarily. Try to replace the tooth into the
socket. Have the child hold the tooth in place by closing
on a gauze pad or washcloth. If it is not possible
to replace the tooth, place the tooth in a cup of milk, or
if this is not available, cool water. Go to the dentist
immediately. Time is important for saving the tooth, less
than 30 minutes is the best.
For
primary (baby) teeth -- Teeth are generally not re-implanted. The
tooth fairy will deliver prematurely.
Toothaches
Clean the area around the tooth. Rinse the mouth with
warm salt water and use dental floss to remove any trapped
food between the teeth. If there is swelling, apply cold
pack to the outside of the face. Take acetaminophen or
ibuprofen for pain. Call the dentist.
Bitten
Tongue or Lip or cheek
If there is bleeding apply gentle pressure with a
clean cloth or gauze. Apply an ice compress to this
injured area. If bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital
emergency room immediately.
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How
important is milk for my child's
teeth?
Studies show that most kids do not get the required calcium
they need. In fact, more than half of teenage boys and
girls don't get enough calcium. Bones grow most during the
childhood and teenage years. By eating and drinking foods
with calcium, children and teens can build up calcium-rich
bones for now and for when they are adults. This calcium
helps keep bones strong and may prevent them from getting
fragile and breaking later in life.
Generally, glass of milk contains 300mg of calcium.
Children between ages 1-3 need about 500mg of calcium (one
and one - half glass of milk). Children between 4-8 years
old need about 800mg of calcium (two glass of milk). And
children of 9-18 years old need 1300 mg (four glasses of
milk).
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