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As soon as the first tooth comes out, parents should start brushing after every meal.
Dr. Paulo Cézar General Practitioner and Specialist in Orthodontics CROSP 102821 Dental Clinic for All F. 3812-5060
Many parents have frequent questions about topics related to their children’s oral health. Dentist, Dr. Paulo Cézar, answers the main questions asked by first-time parents.
When should the child’s first visit to the pediatric dentist be?
He should be a baby, about 6 months old, even before any teeth come out. During this consultation, the dentist evaluates the mucosa, tongue and gums, being able to identify changes and, if any, treat them as soon as possible.
What are the risk factors?
The main risk factor for the onset of tooth decay is the prolonged presence of carbohydrates on the tooth surface. Carbohydrates are a sugar and are present in many foods. Related to this, lack of brushing and negligence in the use of dental floss directly contribute to the formation of carious lesions.
What can you do to ease your baby’s teething anxiety?
Offer cool or cold foods, as well as those with a firmer consistency and lumps that do not pose a risk to babies. The mother can also massage the area with her finger or a silicone fingertip.
What is the most common problem encountered in premature babies?
One of the most common problems found in the mouth of newborn babies is Epstein’s pearls. They are small keratin (protein) cysts that may appear white and/or yellow. They usually appear on the gums and roof of the mouth and are not a cause for concern. They disappear spontaneously within a few weeks. Another problem found in infants is oral candidiasis (thrush), which is the presence of fungal colonies. These are white lesions present mainly on the tongue and cheeks. Typically, this happens because the newborn’s immune system is not fully formed. The use of antibiotics when the child is sick can also cause an imbalance between good and bad microorganisms, favoring the occurrence of oral candidiasis. Treatment should be carried out by a pediatrician by giving antifungals and sterilizing the pacifiers and bottles kept by the parents.
How important is breastfeeding for oral health development?
Breastfeeding is of fundamental importance for the development of the jaw and mandible. In addition, it encourages the newborn to breathe through the nose, thus preventing the development of mouth breathing. It also helps in the correct position of the tongue at rest and the closing of the mouth (correct contact between the lips).
Can a child also have gum disease? Why?
Yes. Your child may also develop gum disease, such as gingivitis. Typically, this occurs due to the accumulation of food debris present between the teeth and also on other surfaces.
What is the best age to start orthopedic and/or orthodontic treatment?
Only from the age of 5, the orthodontist can intervene with preventive treatments, through the use of orthopedic devices. At this age it is extremely important to perform a panoramic radiograph to assess the development of the teeth and also to assess whether there will be space for the eruption (eruption) of the permanent teeth.
What should be done immediately after the removal of the permanent tooth?
In the case of tooth extraction, which is when the entire tooth comes out of the bone, we recommend that the tooth be reimplanted immediately. If the patient or parents are unable to reposition it, they should save the tooth in their serum or saliva (the tooth inside the mouth) and go to the dentist as soon as possible to replant it. We recommend not to brush the tooth with water. Always use saline solution. After reimplantation and stabilization of the tooth, you must wait 10 days to perform the root canal treatment.
What is the connection between diet and tooth decay?
A diet high in carbohydrates is the main cause of tooth decay. These carbohydrates are the favorite foods of bacteria which will initiate the formation of carious lesions. Carbohydrates are present in cookies, candy, soft drinks, chocolate, pasta, rice, wheat flour, fruit, among others.
When should you start brushing the teeth of children under 3 years old? What toothpaste is recommended?
As soon as the first tooth appears, parents should start brushing after every meal. Cleaning can be done with gauze soaked in filtered water. With the back teeth coming in, parents can now start brushing with age-appropriate brushes. And use toothpaste with a small amount of fluoride. For children under 3, put an amount of paste on the brush equal to a grain of rice. For children over 3 years old we can add a little more.
