BABY TEETH/MILK TEETH PART 2

Let us look at the second part of my previous blog that was also on milk teeth.

TRAUMA IN KIDS:

Now as we all know, kids are engaged in all mischievous activities every day and some also play sports at the professional level, therefore, they are predisposed to trauma to a greater degree.

When it comes to the oral tissues per se then as dentist we often encounter fractures of the teeth or even the complete loss of the tooth structure or dislocation of the tooth from its normal positions. We also encounter lacerations or abrasions seen on the lip tissues and surrounding areas which needs attention.

Now as parents or even guardians if you are faced with your kids in a similar situation then you should approach the dentist as soon as possible so that an immediate effective treatment can be initiated. If possible, the dentist can try to save the tooth structure in case of tooth fractures by building up the fractured part with a tooth coloured material.

And if unfortunately, it is not possible to save the tooth then a prosthetic rehabilitation can be done to preserve patient’s aesthetics and function.

Time plays a key role in fracture cases so make sure you visit a dentist as soon as possible.

TOOTH CAVITIES IN MILK TEETH

The occurrence of tooth cavities is a more common phenomenon in milk teeth than permanent teeth mainly because the tooth enamel is thinner in milk teeth than permanent teeth. And moreover, children are more inclined towards eating sweets and chocolates and also are not able to maintain their oral hygiene in an effective way.

• SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED:

1. Tooth pain and discomfort

2. Tooth discolouration to blackish brown

3. softening of the tooth structure

4. Bad breath which is not associated otherwise

• PREVENTION:

1. Teach kids the correct brushing technique and encourage them when they make any mistakes rather than shouting at them and if you have babies who are not capable enough to brush on their own then perform brushing for them.

2. Regular checkup to the dentist maybe  once or twice in a year.

3. Prevent your children from eating junk food.

• TREATMENT:

Visit the dentist for halting the carious process and restoration of the tooth structure.

BLEEDING GUMS IN KIDS:

Does your kid complains of bleeding gums while brushing his teeth or while eating hard food?

Then he probably might be suffering from certain gum diseases.

Visit the dentist in such a case so that he can diagnose the condition and perform an effective treatment.

Also, encourage good oral hygiene habits in your children to prevent gum diseases.

CORRECT BRUSHING TECHNIQUE

In the previous blog, I had discussed the need for maintaining oral hygiene in children. But the brushing technique for children should be such that it is easy for them to learn and practice it on their own.

The technique used in children is called the fones technique of brushing.

SPACE MAINTENANCE

Sometimes conditions arise wherein early loss of the milk teeth occurs before its estimated age which results in spaces and adjacent teeth can drift from their own position and have a tendency to occupy these spaces and even the erupting permanent teeth can get deflected from their own path of eruption and as a result erupt in a different position.

This can affect the bite of the patient and his chewing efficiency and even hamper his aesthetics.

To prevent such problems devices such as space maintainers can be used which maintain the spaces lost by the early exfoliation of the milk teeth until its successor comes into place.

Depending on the clinical situation, the dentist will decide which would be the best type of space maintainers to be used in a particular child patient.

DOES HEALTHY BABY TEETH MATTER FOR A HEALTHY ADULT TEETH?

The answer to this is a definite yes.

 If the baby teeth have a cavity which is ignored and not treated then the infection from the particular tooth will spread onto the underlying permanent tooth resulting in defects in the erupting permanent tooth such as it may show discolouration or hypoplastic defects etc.

Hence it is best to get any baby teeth problems treated at the earliest to ensure healthy teeth later in life.

WHY ARE MILK TEETH SO IMPORTANT AND STRESSED ON?

1. Chewing food - so that child can derive proper nutrition ensure proper growth and development for the child.

2. Speech 

3. Aesthetics

4. Provides space for the future permanent teeth to erupt in their normal positions.

5. Proper development of the facial musculature.

MYTHS ASSOCIATED WITH MILK TEETH:

1. Milk teeth are not important 

Well, that is not true. Milk teeth are equally important as permanent teeth probably even more because of the reasons stated above.

2. There is no need to brush milk teeth.

This is untrue, milk teeth just like permanent teeth require brushing twice daily to achieve a healthy mouth.

3. Cavities in milk teeth can be ignored because they anyway have to fall someday.

This is probably the most common thing I have come across parents saying, but no, cavities in milk teeth should be treated immediately in order to achieve healthy underlying permanent teeth.

4. Spaces in milk teeth is an abnormality which requires treatment.

No!, it is really good that your kid is showing spaces in between his milk teeth which is totally physiological and is present naturally to provide sufficient space for the larger underlying permanent teeth to erupt.

That is all for today. 

I would just conclude by saying that your child’s teeth are as important as any permanent teeth. A beautiful smile and beautiful heart is all that it takes to be confident and let that confidence stay within your kid!

Thank you!

For any suggestions feel free to mail me at:muskan.3096@gmail.com