National Children's Dental Health Month - Sweat the Small Stuff

Baby Teeth Are Important

Some people think that a cavity in a baby tooth is no big deal. Why even fill it? It's just going to fall out anyway. But baby teeth don't start to fall out until a child is six or seven years old. Some baby teeth remain in the mouth until a child reaches twelve to thirteen years old. Until that time those baby teeth perform all the same functions as the adult teeth and it is important that they are healthy and strong. Furthermore the baby teeth hold the space for the adult teeth coming in. Early loss of baby teeth can result in crowded or misaligned teeth.

By the time a child is six to eight months old the very first baby teeth have begun to erupt. It is very important to care for these teeth every day by wiping or brushing them after each meal. A tiny bit of toothpaste can even be used. The recommendation is for the first dental visit at one year of age, although many people wait much longer to take their child to a dentist. Unfortunately by that time, if the teeth have not been properly cared for, decay may be present. This is especially true if the child is given a bottle with milk, formula, breast milk or juice to sleep with at night. If a bottle is given other than with meals, it should have water in it only. It is not recommended to put a child to sleep at night with a bottle.

The problem with the bacteria that cause cavities is that after the initial cavity is formed, if the teeth continued to be neglected, the cavities will continue to spread. Just like with the adult teeth, this can result in serious pain and infection.

Children need their teeth to be healthy from the start so that their bodies can grow to be healthy and strong. When the baby teeth start coming in the child is beginning to eat solid foods and learning to speak. The period of time between the emergence of the first baby tooth until all the teeth are in at 3 years of age marks a period of incredible development. Likewise, the loss of the baby teeth and emergence of the first permanent teeth mark the beginning of another period of tremendous growth of the mind and body which takes the child all the way to adolescence.

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February is designated as National Children's Dental Health Month to remind everyone that the smallest things, like baby teeth, matter a great deal to life long health.

Primary Teeth Chart; MouthHealthy.org

This post is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness or condition. If you need medical or dental care please see your doctor or dentist right away! You'll be happy you did.

You are what you drink

Walk around with water

I was not surprised to read about a recent research study out of Australia that concluded "diet" beverages are bad for the teeth. Sugar has long taken the blame for contributing to cavities, and deservedly so, but sugar is not solely to blame. Plaque also has to be present because plaque converts that sugar into acid on the teeth.

While beverages like diet soda contain sugar substitutes plaque germs
can't use to make acid, these drinks themselves contain acid (usually citric, carbonic or phosphoric.) Acid, whether it is made by plaque or in the drink itself, will erode enamel.

It doesn't matter to teeth where the acid comes from. Sipping on an acidic diet drink all day, in terms of the affect on the teeth, is just as bad as sipping on a sugary drink. The only benefit of most diet drinks is the elimination of the sugar and there are many who would argue that sugar substitutes are just as bad for overall health.

Diet Soda - Phosphoric and Citric Acids
Photo: Y. Mikalopas

The best rule of thumb is this: Drink any drink that is NOT water with a meal. Otherwise, drink water. You can't go wrong with water because it is the only drink that is both sugar and acid free.

(Did you know that black coffee and tea are acidic - about a pH of 5, but that green and herbal teas are close to water, about a pH of 7.)

This blog is not intended to treat or diagnose any dental or medical condition - see your dentist or doctor if you need help!