HEALTH Looking after infants’ teeth

Looking after your child’s smile


Oral Health
Dr Terence McAlinden

Many parents have lots of questions about their child’s teeth and most parents parents have similar sorts of concerns.
Baby teeth – also known as primary or deciduous teeth – are the first set to appear. They emerge at around six months at the front of the mouth and continue to appear in time and order until the child is around three years. Primary teeth help children chew and speak. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are developing under the gums.
The Irish and American Dental Association’s recommends that you take your child for a first dental visit within six months of the first baby tooth and by no later than the first birthday.
This gives the dentist a chance to look for early tooth problems and to talk to you about how to care for your baby’s teeth. It also helps your child feel comfortable in the dentist’s office.
Even before teeth appear at six months it is recommended you clean your child’s gums and new teeth with a soft, clean cloth and tap water.
Toothpaste should not be used at this age. After two years of age, a pea-sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste should be used. Until the age of six or seven, the parent should help with brushing. Teeth cleaning, which should take  a minimum of two minutes, should should happen twice a day – after breakfast and just prior to bedtime.
Children start to lose baby teeth around six years of age. The incisors at the front of the mouth will start to wobble and eventually the teeth will fall out.
The permanent incisor teeth will appear shortly afterwards. At the same time, the permanent first molar teeth at the back of the mouth will come up. These teeth should be checked by a dentist early on; they are difficult to clean and have large deep grooves.
If your child had poor hygiene or a history of cavities in the baby teeth, fissure sealants will be recommended.
By around nine years, the remaining primary teeth will loosen in stages, to be replace by permanent premolar and canine teeth. By the age of 12, on average, all the permanent teeth will have arrived.
One of the most common questions parents ask is ‘When is my child ready for braces?’.
In general, orthodontic braces are not placed until all permanent teeth are in position. However, there are certain cases where early intervention is required – for example, if a cross bite is present.
In general, parents should watch out for white or brown spots on the teeth, which may indicate a cavity or the start of one.
Pay attention to the back teeth in particular, as these are more difficult to clean.
Do not put juice, milk or formula in a bottle when the child is going to sleep as this will cause extensive decay; water is best at these times.
Try to minimise snacking with foods with high sugar as this will also encourage cavities to form.
Watch out for any redness or swelling on the gum as this indicate the presence of an infection.
Watch out for habits such as thumb sucking or use of a soother after the age of 3..
Both of these can cause the upper arch to narrow and front teeth to protrude and more importantly alter the shape of bone around the anterior teeth.

Dr Terence McAlinden BS (Hons) PhD DDS practices at Breaffy Dental, Breaffy GAA club, Castlebar.