Frequently asked questions…and answers!

A great and easy way to remember this is: first tooth or first birthday! Typically, a child will get their first tooth by 6 months of age so whichever one comes first! Please don’t wait to get your little one seen by a dental professional. Some parents worry that their child won’t be cooperative at that age, but we make the experience, simple, easy and fun!

Normally the first tooth erupts around the ages of 6-12 months. Your child’s gums will be sore, tender, and sometimes irritable until the age of 3. To help soothe the discomfort you can rub the area with the back of a cold spoon or a cold damp cloth. You can also rub the sore area of the gums with your finger. Just make sure your hands are clean to avoid introducing any bacteria or viruses that could possibly cause an infection and fever.

We like children to start using a kids fluoride toothpaste starting at age 2. However, it is important to keep in mind that at this age children have still not learned how to spit out the toothpaste so we recommend that parents use just a smear or small (about the size of a grain of rice) amount of toothpaste on the brush. Parents may also find it helpful to use gauze or a damp cloth to wipe the child’s mouth after they brush.

The American Association of Orthodontists guidelines recommends that your child be seen by an orthodontist at age seven. At this age, children typically have a mixture of baby teeth and adult teeth which makes it easier for the orthodontist to diagnose and correct any tooth and/or jaw problems early on and reduce or eliminate the need for major surgery.

Thumb sucking, chronic pacifier use, and other oral habits tend to be common among children early on in life. Parents are encouraged to remind children to stop when they see them displaying these habits. Long-term habits can lead to irreversible damage to the developing teeth and surrounding bones. If your child has a problem breaking a habit or if you have noticed a change in their bite you should contact a pediatric dentist for an evaluation.

Bruxism is the involuntary act of teeth grinding or tightening the jaw/jaw clenching. In most cases, bruxism in children is nocturnal, meaning that it only occurs at night while they sleep. Many times this habit goes on without the parent or child knowing. Some indications to look out for are: grinding noises at night, complaints of facial pain or pain in the jaw, and frequent waking during the night. There is no specific cause for bruxism but many professionals believe that it is caused by possible stress at home or at school. While many children tend to show signs of bruxing, most outgrow this habit well before their permanent teeth grow in. Children who continue with this habit long-term can do significant damage to their teeth which would warrant the use of a night guard. A pediatric dentist can help to develop a plan to treat bruxism and help everyone get a good night’s sleep.