Good dental health is established early in life. Oral care should begin soon after the babies' birth. Gums should be cleaned after each feeding. You can begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as they appear, using a super soft toothbrush.
Ideally, your child's first dental visit should be by the first birthday. Your dentist will check for decay and other problems, teach you how to clean your child's teeth and identify your child's fluoride needs. By starting dental visits early, you will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.
Yes. When babies are teething they often have sore and tender gums. The usually can be soothed by gently rubbing the baby's gums with a clean finger, a small, cool spoon or a wet gauze. Teething does not cause fever or diarrhoea. If your child has an elevated temperature, it needs to be addressed as a separate medical concern
Yes, even though they will eventually fall out, milk teeth can get cavitities and need to be treated. As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, decay can occur. One serious form of decay among children is Baby bottle tooth decay.
Babies shouldn't fall asleep with bottles in their mouth- the sugar in juices or milk formulas can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities, dental discomfort, and even tooth loss. Plain water is usually best.
Sucking is a natural behavior for babies. Many infants begin sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers within 3 months of birth. Neither habit generally poses a dental problem if it is discontinued before the child's first permanent teeth erupt.
As a child's permanent teeth erupt, the dentist can prevent cavities from forming with the help of sealants and fluoride treatment. Sealants are a safe, painless and low-cost way to help protect your child's teeth from decay. The sealent is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the molars and premolars, and thus prevents theses teeth from decay Fluoride application is a single sitting procedure done once every six months to make the tooth structure stronger and prevents cavities
A milk tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children loose a milk tooth too soon. If this happens, the teeth beside it may move into the empty space resulting in lack of space for the permanent teeth, leading to crowding. This can be prevented by the use of Space Maintainers. It is more affordable-and easier on your child –to keep teeth in normal positions with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.
With your help, your child can have a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Teaching your child to maintain good dental habits is the beginning of good dental health. Proper personal care and regular visits to the Dentists can dental problems to a minimum.
Cavity: - A cavity is the destruction of the tooth enamel, dentin, cementum and may involve the tooth pulp.
The formation of a cavity is due to many factors. For example, the tooth itself plays a role (how strong it is); the mouths ability to cleanse itself (your flow of saliva); diet (frequency and selection of sugary foods); the bacteria in your mouth (good or bad); and the length of time the tooth is under attack by the bacteria in your mouth.
The first sign of a cavity forming may be a white spot, which in time may turn brown. If it is a white spot, low concentrations of fluoride applied frequently can arrest further development.
If the white spot phase progresses, further breakdown of enamel will occur. At this point, a visit to your dental professional is necessary. The cavity may be restored with a filling.
Toothbrushes. Brushing after each meal or snack is a great way to prevent cavities. If your toothbrush is frayed at the ends, you should consider replacing it. Let your toothbrush air-dry in between uses so you don't get bacteria growing in it. Tap the water off and make sure you don't leave food or toothpaste on the brush. Never share a toothbrush with someone else and change it even more frequently if you have been sick.
Of all the methods available for changing and improving the look of your smile, porcelain (ceramic) laminate veneers and crowns are the most popular, successful and quick. With the help of these, a damaged tooth can be saved and repaired to look and fill like original.
Porcelain laminate veneers are coatings crafted out of porcelain that are bonded to the front surface of a tooth. These veneers greatly enhance the look of your smile with as little discomfort as possible. These veneers are made to suit the patient's individual needs and are indistinguishable from natural teeth.
Veneers can be used to provide an aesthetic solution in many situations:
Veneers can be placed on teeth with minimal tooth preparation. They look and feel completely natural. A beautiful result is achieved in just a few days time, and can last for many years. The texture and finish of porcelain veneers make them highly resistant to external staining. Due their durability, looks and comfort, veneers have become one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments available today. Veneers today are widely used by people in the entertainment field and so business to obtain a beautiful smile.
The process of having a veneer made for your tooth involves a few short visits to your Dentist. The procedure is simple and relatively painless.
Ceramic veneers take between 1-2 weeks to be made. During that period, your teeth may be fitted with temporary veneers to prevent sensitivity.
Ceramic veneers are bonded to the teeth using special adhesives. Once fixed, these veneers are exceptionally strong. It takes only a day or two to get used to them.
Look after your veneers well. Brush and floss as you regularly do. Use non-abrasive toothpaste to help maintain the shine and gloss of your veneers. Normal diet will not herm your veneers. Avoid any shearing force on these teeth [like biting a sugarcane]. Regular check ups will ensure your veneers are in excellent shape. Well maintain veneers should last you for many years and give you a long lasting and beautiful smile.
A crown, usually we call it as a “cap” which covers the entire tooth, unlike a veneer, which covers only the front surface of a tooth. A crown requires more shaping of the tooth structure and is often used to strengthen a weak or broken tooth. Crowns are extremely durable, aesthetic and are commonly used in the front and the back of the mouth.
While a crown is often used for its functional properties, like veneers these too can be used to bring about excellent aesthetic modifications in a smile. The common indications for a crown are:
Crowns can be made of acrylic, metal, ceramic or a combination of any of these. The ceramic crowns are great for aesthetics and durability.
Your dentist will reshape the tooth, to create space all around it for the crown.
A measurement of the prepared tooth and of the surrounding and opposing teeth is taken. Your measurements are then sent to a dental laboratory for processing of the crown.
Meanwhile, a temporary crown may be placed. Take care of your temporary crown by avoiding sticky and hard foods and be sure to clean around it.
Soon, your dentist replaces your temporary crown with a permanent one. The crown is adjusted, making sure you are comfortable with it. It is then cemented or bonded to the prepared tooth.
People from all walks of life can greatly benefit from the improved confidence a better smile can give. With proper care, Veneers and Crowns will enhance your dental health and beauty for a long time to come.