In the Know for You to Know

We’ve received a lot of questions about dental issues for children. Parents like you are asking about what they’ve heard, what they’ve read and why this is truly important.

So, today we’re answering your questions.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

Baby teeth are very important for 4 reasons ~

1. They are needed for the growth of your baby’s jaws, muscles and their face.
2. Their teeth are also necessary for your child to be able to chew their food, eat well and grow healthy and strong.
3. Their teeth help them to speak. Their tongue and cheeks use the surfaces of their teeth to help them form the sounds they need to talk.
4. Baby teeth provide the space for their permanent teeth to develop and to guide them into the correct position.

How Does Putting My Baby To Bed With A Bottle Cause Cavities?

Putting your baby to sleep for a nap or at night with a bottle or after breast feeding can cause a serious type of cavities.

The sugar in the formula, milk, fruit juice, and other sweetened liquids sits on their teeth and eats away at the tooth’s enamel. Over time the tooth will chip and then break off.

The time for cavities to show up can be as soon as 1 year after their teeth come into their mouth.

The first teeth you’ll see the cavities on are their top front teeth.

Do Children Really Get Cavities?

Yes they do. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, and teenagers can all get cavities.

Cavities are more common than Asthma. Children are 8x’s more likely to have cavities than Asthma.

That’s a lot of children — 20% of preschoolers, 50% of 2nd graders, and 75% of 15 year olds.

Do Baby Teeth Have Nerves?

Yes, baby teeth have nerves.

Baby teeth and adult teeth are made up of the same 3 parts ~

1. Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. It’s there to protect the tooth from bacteria, hot and cold, as well as physical blows to the tooth. While enamel is thinner in baby teeth, it’s still protective. However, when the tooth’s enamel is broken, things spread quickly.
2. Dentin is under the enamel. It’s the inner layer which makes up the largest part of the tooth. Dentin is there to support the enamel and protect the nerve (aka pulp) of the tooth.
3. Pulp is the soft tissue in the deepest part of the tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels. When the nerve is irritated it causes tooth sensitivity. The pulp can in certain situations become inflamed, infected, or even die.

Is It Okay To Let My 5 Year Old Brush His Own Teeth?

Letting your child have a turn to brush their teeth first is good learning for them.

However you need to have your turn afterwards and do the real toothbrushing.

It takes time for children to develop their motor skills. How old do you think they’ll be when they can wash, dry and style their hair from start to finish on their own?

When they can do their hair themselves that’s about the time they can brush and floss on their own also. So you will be doing this for them for a while.

Then once they do start brushing and flossing by themselves they’ll do a much better job with you in the bathroom with them.

How do you take care of your child’s teeth? What questions do you have about your child’s teeth? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com, Like Us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!