Dental injuries happen all of the time, but each year there is an observable spike in incidences of tooth and mouth injuries during the holiday season. Most cases occur in young people under the age of 15 and more commonly boys, with the leading causes being sports related injuries, vehicles accidents and assaults. Violent attacks […]
Moderate to Severe Enamel Fluorosis…. Dental fluorosis, also called mottling of tooth enamel, is a developmental disturbance of dental enamel caused by excessive exposure concentrations of fluoride during tooth development. The risk of fluoride overexposure occurs at any age but it is higher at younger ages. In its mild forms (which are its most common), fluorosis often appears […]
Tooth formation progresses through 6 distinct stages. It is during the last stage, apposition, that the enamel and dentine are laid down to produce the tooth form and final shape. This process occurs for both the primary teeth(baby teeth) as well as the secondary teeth (permanent teeth). The development of baby teeth begins in the […]
Many first visits are nothing more than introductory icebreakers to introduce your child to the dentist and the practice. Every effort should be made to make the appointment fun and non threatening. If your child is frightened, uncomfortable or non-cooperative, it may be necessary to reschedule the appointment. Patience and calm on the part of […]
Good parenting starts by leading by example. My 14 month old watched me brush my teeth and now wants to do the same. He enthusiastically points to the tooth brush whenever he is in the bathroom. He may not be effectively cleaning his teeth but the habit is being established. Brushing teeth after meals, regular […]
A child’s first permanent tooth erupts into the mouth at approximately 6 years of age. It is most susceptible to decay at this time. The eruption of the first permanent tooth occurs at a time when the child skill in cleaning their teeth has not been fully developed. If the child has been exposed to […]
At school, children should rinse their mouth with water after meals, leaving their teeth free of sugar and acid. At home, encourage children to drink tap and avoid bottled water where possible. Use a straw when drinking soft drinks to keep sugar away from teeth. If you purchase bottled water, be sure that it is […]
Yes! Tooth decay in infants and young children most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but also may affect other teeth. Parents may not realise that a baby’s teeth can decay soon after they first appear. The decay may even enter the underlying bone structure, which can hurt development of the permanent teeth. This […]
Before the visit, ask the dentist about the procedures of the first appointment so there are no surprises. Plan a course of action for either reaction your child may exhibit – cooperative or non- cooperative. Very young children may be fussy and not sit still. Talk to your child about what to expect, and build […]
Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant’s teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria in plaque. Every time a child consumes […]
