Toddler Dental Health with Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Lee |
Question:
I have a 2 year old who is cutting his last 4 teeth (the eye teeth!). I am just
wondering when should he start to see a dentist? I have heard a couple of things
from as early as when they get their first teeth.
Dr. Lee's Response:
Today's
recommendation is that you should take your child as soon as he gets his teeth.
A visual examination is probably all that can be done but you'd be surprised with
some kids. A quick look just to see if there is any obvious problem is important.
It's not until 3 years old usually before any child has the ability to sit in
the chair for xrays, cleanings, etc. so, I suggest you get your child in for a
checkup.
Question:
My 2 year old absolutely HATES having his teeth brushed. He
fights, he screams, he squirms, he holds his mouth very tightly closed ... he
does everything possible to make brushing his teeth as difficult/impossible as
he can. Do you have any tips on how to make this process easier on all of us??
Dr. Lee's Response:
There
is no real secret. It's part child psychology, part trial and error and part stubborness.
You really have to try different things and find out what works. Each kid is different.
Getting a child to brush is much like anything else when they just don't want
to...like going to bed...in the end they just have to. What works with your son
then? You could do
modelling"...side by side, brushing together. You could try "team
play"...you do it, he does it or vice versa. You could take it out of the
bathroom and do it in the kitchen or bedroom. Positive reinforcement sometimes
works...rewards like stickers...in other words, bribery. Last resort is negative
reinforcement...being firm, "wrestlemania" and undersirable consequences.
Again,
no real answers. Different approaches works for different kids. I really think
if you try to educate your son and most importantly, be consistent, eventually
and hopefully, good habits will form.
Question:
My three year old had a bottle at night for quite a while.
I know this is a no-no, but hung on to the hope that nothing seriosly bad would
happen. He stopped at about a year and a half, but in the last few months, I have
seen that his teeth are a yucky colour along the top and no amount of brushing
has changed this!? I feel really bad for letting him to continue with the bottle,
even though I knew it was wrong and was being ignorant because I knew he always
fell asleep better with the bottle! When his baby teeth fall out, will his adult
teeth be affected? We are going to have a trip to the dentist next month, but
am curious to know in advance. Thanks.
Dr. Lee's Response:
What
you've described is likely "Nursing Bottle Syndrome". There are many
different names for the condition but its characteristics are the same. Cavities
are evident in the top front teeth and are associated with taking a bottle to
bed. There are differences in opinions as to whether nursing is also a possible
cause. The cavities will often spread to the top molars and then the bottom molars.
This condition is very serious since cavities never go away. These cavities will
get bigger over time and once into the nerve, pain and infection will occur. If
an infection happens, then the permanent adult tooth underneath may become damaged.
What to do now? The first thing is to do is to stop the bottle. The next step is to see your dentist. Treatment plans (fillings, root canals, extractions) and options (chair with or without sedation, general anaesthesia) must be discussed with your dentist. Like any other cavity,we need to fix it before it gets too big and unmanageable. Please remember that front baby teeth don't fall out until 6 years old and some of the molars are present till 12 years old.
Please don't hesistate. As I implied above, the longer you wait, the more likely there will be long-term problem. You already sound like you feel quite guilty. Don't make it worse. Get some advice and treatment as soon as possible.
