Children have special oral needs with instructions for care that all parents should follow. The condition of the teeth and gums throughout childhood can impact oral health for life. The dental makeup of a child begins to develop before birth. The teeth grow under the gums during gestation. Expectant mothers are advised to take extra vitamins and minerals with lots of calcium. It does make a difference in the strength of tooth enamel and the health of gums. The gums of an infant should be cleaned with a cloth or gauze each day. This is because bacteria sits on the gums. The gums should be cleaned to stop bacteria from permeating the under layers. When a child is about a year old, the teeth can be cleaned with water and a child toothbrush.
When more than a few primary teeth in a child’s mouth has grown in, it’s time to make the first dental appointment. This visit will include a thorough exam and checking to see if the teeth are sprouting from the gums normally. Abnormalities in the development of a child’s mouth are addressed and taken care of quickly. Night guards for kids are designed to prevent friction for children who grind their teeth while sleeping. Teeth grinding can wear down enamel. The molars are most vulnerable to teeth grinding. Night guards for kids protect the teeth from the damaging effects of teeth grinding. Grinding can change the teeth and make them short and blunt. The appliance prevents tooth grinding by creating a barrier between the top and bottom teeth. It makes it harder to grind and the action of grinding will no longer put wear on the teeth.
Wisdom teeth are molars farthest in the back of the mouth. They are problematic to keep for most people because they’re hard to clean and serve no benefit to grinding food. Decay and oral problems may occur when wisdom teeth aren’t removed. Wisdom teeth don’t present a problem when adjacent teeth aren’t at risk and they can be cleaned and flossed completely. These teeth usually grow out fully between 18 and 23 years of age. It’s best to get them extracted when a dentist recommends so there isn’t a chance for it to cause a problem. Make an appointment for dental services at Lewis Family Dentistry. You can also connect them on Facebook.
