The American Dental Association was founded in 1859, and the profession of pediatric dentistry was founded 88 years later in 1947. The recognition of the children’s dental health profession was relatively recent, as was the recognition of the importance of children’s dental health by the dental community. At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga, we understand that children’s dental health is vital to their overall, lifelong love of having great oral hygiene. Our providers want to share some common childhood dental concerns to look for that may require intervention from a pediatric dentist.
Dental Treatment in Children
In the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control, about 20 percent of children between ages 5 and 11 have untreated cavities. A survey of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists found that less than half (46.6 percent) of pediatric dentists practiced the academy policy of performing the first oral examination of children at the age of one year. Often, pediatricians do not recommend dental examinations to the parents of their infant patients, and so parents are unaware that their infants can, in fact, benefit from early visits to the dentist.
Baby Bottle Decay.
Tooth decay in infants and toddlers is often seen in the form of baby bottle mouth decay. This common childhood dental issue happens when bottles containing sweet liquids like apple juice, milk or sweetened formula are left to remain in a baby’s mouth for extended periods of time. It is also seen when a baby’s pacifier is dipped in sugar or syrup and left in the baby’s mouth during sleep.
The sugars provide nutrients for mouth bacteria which quickly increase in number and excrete acids that attack tooth enamel. The decay may speed up during sleep because the normal amount of saliva, which washes the mouth, decreases during sleep. Bottle mouth decay usually follows the contour of the bottle as it fits against the upper front teeth, but it can affect other teeth as well.
The Role of Primary Teeth.
Baby teeth are important for future development. They enable children, during the formative stages of life, to chew food properly and to speak clearly because they properly fix the shape of the jaw. They also reserve spaces in the gums for future adult teeth. Another common childhood dental issue arises from untreated problems and decay in primary teeth can affect both eating and sleeping, which can permanently affect child development during a crucial period.
If teeth are lost too early during critical developmental stages, a child may develop significantly poor eating habits or speech problems. If a baby molar is prematurely lost because of severe decay, the baby teeth next to the missing molar may drift into the gap and create spacing problems for the adult tooth when it comes through. If you notice any of these common childhood dental concerns or signs of problems with oral health, contact us. We are here to help.
Prevention.
- Clean the baby’s gums with clean gauze pads or washcloth after each feeding
- Begin brushing the baby’s teeth without toothpaste when the first tooth appears
- Clean and massage gums in areas without teeth
- Floss between the baby’s teeth once all the teeth have come in
- Make sure the child is getting enough fluoride. If our local water does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist if you need to use a supplement. Fluoride reduces cavities
- Fill bottles with plain water for naps
- A dental examination should be part of your infant’s health examination sequence shortly after the eruption of the first tooth (usually around the 6th month)
At Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Chattanooga, our pediatric dentists are here for your family, through every stage of development from birth through adulthood. If your child is in need of a dental check-up, contact us at 423-541-5500 to schedule your appointment.
