Viewing entries tagged
baby teeth

Crowns for Baby Teeth

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Crowns for Baby Teeth

ThousandOaksFamilyDentistry.com

February is the official National Children's Dental Health Month, as recognized by the ADA. Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry will be rolling out weekly topics relating to pediatric dentistry all month long. Make sure to check back regularly to catch all the great information. 

In some ways, baby teeth aren't that different from their permanent counterparts. When a cavity gets big enough and weakens the overall tooth structure, a crown is often the recommended treatment. However, there are some fundamental differences between the crowns placed on the primary and adult teeth. Read on to catch the full story!

For starters, baby tooth crowns are not made by a dental lab. They usually come from a set of prefabricated stainless steel or polycarbonate crowns that can be adjusted and cut to fit the prepared tooth. For young children, a precise fit between tooth and crown isn't as important as getting something to cover/protect the tooth and minimizing time in the dental chair. In areas where cosmetics may be a concern, "strip" crowns can be used. Here, a clear shell is placed over the tooth and filled with tooth colored filling material. After the material is set, the shell is "stripped" away, leaving behind a natural appearing restoration. 

Many times, a crown on a baby tooth is provided in conjunction with a procedure called a pulpotomy. This is done when a cavity reaches the nerve of a tooth and causes irreversible inflammation. The dentist will remove the inflamed nerve tissue and place a medicated filling before cementing the crown. Many times it is difficult to judge wether a tooth will need a filling, crown and/or pulpotomy before beginning treatment. Don't be surprised if the plan has to change on the fly. 

We typically refer our young patients to pediatric dentists to have crowns placed. The training and expertise of these specialists make the appointments easier and less traumatic for little ones. If you would like to know more about baby tooth crowns, fillings for kids, or any other oral health topics, please give our office a call!

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Dental Questions: Why are baby teeth so white?

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Dental Questions: Why are baby teeth so white?

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

February is the official National Children's Dental Health Month, as recognized by the ADA. Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry will be rolling out weekly topics relating to pediatric dentistry all month long. Make sure to check back regularly to catch all the great information. 

One of the most immediately noticeable features of baby teeth is the pearly white shade of their dental enamel. Many times, parents are surprised to find that their child's first adult teeth aren't nearly as bright as their predecessors. Has your child lost their Hollywood smile? Fear not, this is completely normal!

While baby teeth are made of the same enamel and dentin as adult teeth, the ratios and compositions are slightly different. The inner dentin layer of the tooth is generally more opaque than enamel and tends to pick up pigments from the foods we eat or drink. In the baby teeth, the ratio of enamel to dentin is considerably higher. Thus, the teeth appear more white and tend to develop less deep staining. On the flip-side, the overall thickness of dentin and enamel is much less in baby teeth. This means that cavities can reach the nerve much faster than the adult counterparts. 

Primary first molar versus adult first molar. Notice how the enamel is relatively thicker in the baby tooth, while the overall thickness of both layers is much less than the adult tooth. 

Primary first molar versus adult first molar. Notice how the enamel is relatively thicker in the baby tooth, while the overall thickness of both layers is much less than the adult tooth. 

What if your child doesn't have perfectly white teeth? That's a tough question to answer without a complete dental exam, but it can be due to a number of reasons. Cavities, congenital defects in tooth structure and certain types of plaque and tartar can all stain baby teeth. Your best bet is to bring your child in for regular dental checkups. To schedule an appointment today, or to learn more about baby teeth and oral health, please give our office a call!

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Fruit Juice and Baby Teeth

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Fruit Juice and Baby Teeth

thousandoaksfamilydentistry.com

In a recent article, the American Association of Pediatrics has announced that children under the age of 1 year should not be given fruit juice. They propose that juice "offers no nutritional benefits early in life" and that the process of making juice strips fruit of its natural fibers while concentrating sugars. From a dental perspective, fruit juice proposes many threats to developing teeth and can contribute to rampant decay. 

One of the biggest problems with childhood juice consumption is the misconception that fruit juice is "healthy." Whether natural, organic, unfiltered or cold pressed, all commercially available juices are high in dietary sugar. In fact, most rival the sugar content of colas and other soft drinks. This, combined with juice's typically acidic content, makes it a perfect fuel for tooth decay. Liquids are excellent at bathing the teeth, while the sugar content feeds bacteria and acidity weakens enamel. This perfect storm leaves many children with a tell-tale pattern of cavities sometimes known as "Mountain Dew Mouth." 

Small servings of juice once a day (particularly when served with a meal) are generally acceptable from a dental perspective. Multiple servings, putting children to sleep with bottles full of juice and sipping on juice all day (regardless of actual quantity consumed) put a child's dental health at jeopardy. Remember, tooth decay relates to the duration of time consuming a sugary beverage rather than the actual amount of sugar consumed. If you would like to know more about tooth decay, preventing cavities in baby teeth or pediatric dentistry, please give our office a call!

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The Primary Teeth

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The Primary Teeth

ThousandOaksFamilyDentistry.com

February is the official National Children's Dental Health Month, as recognized by the ADA. Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry will be rolling out weekly topics relating to pediatric dentistry all month long. Make sure to check back regularly to catch all the great information. 

One of the most miraculous features of the human body is our ability to develop two full sets of teeth. Baby teeth (also known as "deciduous" or "primary" teeth) begin developing before birth and are completely shed by about 12 years of age. During this time, they serve a number of developmental and nutritional purposes. 

For starters, baby teeth are usually whiter and more widely spaced than adult teeth. They also have relatively larger nerve spaces and thinner enamel, meaning the likelihood of a cavity going to the tooth nerve is much higher. There are also no baby premolars- just incisors, canines and molars. 

A handy guide illustrating when you should expect baby teeth to erupt and shed. It is important to note that the ranges are estimates and many children will fall outside these dates. 

A handy guide illustrating when you should expect baby teeth to erupt and shed. It is important to note that the ranges are estimates and many children will fall outside these dates. 

In their most basic form, primary teeth allow a child to properly chew and break down food for digestion. They also act as guides to save space and allow the permanent teeth to grow in. This is one of the guiding principles of phase one orthodontics, or braces on primary teeth. It is also believed that the deciduous teeth play an important role in the development of facial bones. Finally, children's teeth are crucial in learning phonetics and vocalizing specific sounds. 

WIth all this in mind, you can see how losing baby teeth early can have a significant impact on childhood development. Premature toothlessness in children is often associated with pain, problems eating, lower self esteem and greater orthodontic complications later in life. The best way to prevent these problems is regular dental examinations coupled with good oral hygiene at home. Positive parental attitudes towards dentistry can go a long way in keeping children's teeth healthy and well protected. If you would like to know more about baby teeth, braces or dental exams for kids, please give our office a call!

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What to Expect When Your Baby is Teething

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What to Expect When Your Baby is Teething

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This post comes courtesy of the American Dental Association's Mouth Healthy blog.  The original article can be found here. Enjoy!

Teething can be a very stressful time for parents between fussy daytime hours and restless nights. For better or for worse, it is a necessary, natural and healthy process of childhood development. Babies have twenty primary teeth that start coming in at about 6-12 months and finish at about three years of age. During this time, irritability, poor sleep, loss of appetite and increased drooling are common. Fever, rash and diarrhea are not normal signs and need to be evaluated by a pediatrician.

To sooth a teething baby, you might be tempted to try a anesthetic gel like Orajel or Orabase. These products may provide temporary relief, but pose a risk of inducing a rare but fatal condition known as methemoglobinemia. Rather, try gently rubbing your clean finger, a cold spoon or a piece of gauze over the irritated gums. You can also use a teething ring to alleviate some pain. This age range is a critical period for your child to become inoculated with decay causing bacteria, so make sure whatever you use is cleaned and not shared between family members or siblings. 

We know that caring for an infant is a true labor of love. If you ever have any questions about your child's dental needs, development or expectations, please give our office a call! 

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Dental Questions: Are my child's front teeth coming in normally?

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Dental Questions: Are my child's front teeth coming in normally?

Here, you can see the child's permanent teeth erupting behind the similar baby tooth. 

Here, you can see the child's permanent teeth erupting behind the similar baby tooth. 

We often get calls to our office from parents concerned that their child's adult teeth are coming in behind or in front of the corresponding primary tooth. This can create a "shark tooth" appearance that looks to be preventing the permanent tooth from coming in straight. On the contrary, a retained primary tooth is usually not a problem and will come out on it's own. The permanent tooth should "push" the baby tooth out enough that it becomes loose. If the permanent tooth is fully erupted and the baby tooth still isn't loose, a dentist will usually extract the primary tooth before a problem arises. 

Dr. Kari's son Duke with his two mandibular primary central incisors erupting. These are usually the first teeth to appear.

Dr. Kari's son Duke with his two mandibular primary central incisors erupting. These are usually the first teeth to appear.

Likewise, the mandibular primary central incisors are the first baby teeth to be lost (notice the permanent tooth erupting it its place). 

Likewise, the mandibular primary central incisors are the first baby teeth to be lost (notice the permanent tooth erupting it its place). 

Retained teeth are usually a problem localized to the mandibular and maxillary incisors (four front teeth). The two mandibular primary central incisors are the first teeth to erupt at about six months. Subsequently, they are the first baby teeth lost at five to six years. They make way for the mandibular permanent central incisors, which typically erupt at ages six to seven. You can definitely see how a small overlap in timing can create the "double tooth" problem. 

Overall, any concerns with your child's dentition should be brought up at their yearly checkup. We pride ourselves in being an educational and informative office and want you to leave with peace-of-mind.  If you have any concerns with your family's oral health, please call our office!

 

 

 

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