Attention, Tooth Fairy 

By the time a child is 2 1/2 to 3 years old he will have a complete set of primary teeth. Although these first 20 teeth are often thought of as unimportant--"they're only baby teeth, they're going to fall our soon"--these primary teeth are in fact quite important. They are needed for chewing (and therefore nutrition), speech, appearance, and, last but not least, to hold the space for the permanent teeth to erupt. A primary tooth normally stays in place until the permanent tooth is ready to replace it. If a primary tooth is lost prematurely or even if a small part of the tooth is lost to decay, the teeth on either side often drift into the space. The result is not enough room for the permanent tooth to erupt into its normal position, causing malocclusion or "crooked teeth".

 

"Crooked teeth" may affect the appearance and dental health. Infection around a primary tooth may affect the child's general health as well as damaging the permanent tooth developing in the jaw underneath that tooth. All of these conditions can be corrected or prevented by proper home care and dental treatment.

 

The primary teeth in the developing baby begin to form at about the 6th-8th week of pregnancy. They need calcium, phosphorus, other minerals and vitamins; therefore it is most important that the mother-to-be follow her physician's advice concerning diet. While it is not true (contrary to the old belief) that the baby absorbs calcium from the mother's teeth, pregnant women sometimes have a higher incidence of tooth decay and inflamed gums. These are usually caused by eating more sweets and neglecting to take proper care of the mouth. The gum inflammation may be exaggerated by the hormonal changes taking place in the woman's body.

 

The baby's first teeth (usually the lower front two) erupt when he is 6-8 months old. Teething is a natural process, although at times a baby may develop sore or tender gums (chewing on toast or hard rubber rings may help). Illness is not a normal part od teething--if the baby appears sick he should be taken to a physician. Good nourishment is essential to the developing teeth and jaws. Breast feeding exercises the baby's jaw muscles and aids in the development of a strong dental arch and properly positioned teeth. If bottlefeeding, consult a pediatrician or dentist for the proper type of nipples and pacifiers, since the prolonged use of the wrong type may be a factor in crooked teeth, tongue thrusting, and finger or thumb sucking. "Nursing-bottle mouth" is a condition of rampant decay seen in infants. It is caused by regularly putting the child to bed or naps with a bottle of fruit juice or other sugar-containing liquids, such as formula or soft drinks. The normal bacteria in the mouth combine with this sugar to form acids that do extensive damage to the teeth. On a more pleasant note, we are fortunate in Atlanta to have fluoridated water--a factor that reduces tooth decay by 50%-75%.
 

When the child is about 4 years old and all of the primary teeth are erupted, it is a good time for a first visit to the dentist. A child's first dental visit can and should be a pleasant experience. Establishing a friendly relationship between the child and dentist can eliminate the feeling of fear that so often leads people to postpone needed dental attention. By avoiding references to discomfort and concentrating on the benefits to health and appearance, you can help your children to develop positive feelings toward dental care.

-Richard B. Shapiro, D.D.S. (404)523-2514
Reprinted from The Bond Community Star