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Eruption Sequence?
No, this does not necessarily refer to volcanic activity with smoke, fire, and molten lava. Although in this context the eruption sequence does have characteristics that can cause burning, itching, and general discomfort. The eruption sequence is when small children’s first teeth pop up to say, “Hello,” and typically occurs when a child is 6-7-months-old. (Some children are born with teeth, but this is relatively rare.) By the time the eruption sequence comes to its conclusion, there are usually 20 primary teeth to show for it (followed years later by 28 permanent teeth and 4 wisdom teeth).
How to Relieve Teething Pain?
Moms all remember these fun times when the baby is running a low-grade fever without any other symptoms. Sore gums, crankiness, lack of appetite, drooling, restless behavior, coughing, upset stomach, sucking on random objects. My little trick with my three boys was to freeze teething rings that my babies could chew to relieve discomfort. Otherwise, give your baby some Tylenol if needed.
How Should They Be Pulled?
The days of a string tied to a doorknob for “optimum yank” are over. In actuality, primary teeth become pretty loose as permanent teeth push through. Sometimes primary teeth are forcibly lost too early, and a space maintainer may need to be fabricated by a dentist to reserve the space for permanent teeth. Some primary teeth’s roots can be tough and may need the help of a dentist to extract.
Eat Healthy
I have given education talks in a couple daycares and schools, and we always play this game where the kids have to distinguish between teeth-friendly snacks vs. bad snacks. The kids are almost always right about each food. They know which sugary food and sweet liquids are bad for their teeth. Sweets, sticky food, and starchy food can all contribute to cavities, but all this knowledge doesn’t mean that children won’t eat food that is bad for their teeth, so keep a watchful eye on the cookie jar.
Baby Bottle Decay
Is your baby sleeping with a bottle or sippy-cup? Only water should be in the container. Remember, even milk has sugar in it, and long-term exposure to liquids containing lots of sugars like milk, formula, or fruit juice can cause cavities on the outside surfaces of baby’s front teeth.
Braces
Early check-ups are crucial to determine how straight teeth come in as children grow older. As early as age seven an orthodontist may start them on the first part of braces so that the rest of the teeth come in straighter.
Thumb-sucking
It’s a natural reflex to suck on a finger or a pacifier (especially when watching a scary movie), but pacifiers are easier to handle. If they are old enough, make up a story about mailing it off to the tooth fairy. I had to cut the tips of my boys’ pacifiers, and they lost interest when they no longer had suction. For thumbs, bandaging or applying bitter-tasting medication may work. If your child continues this habit, their permanent front teeth may not come in properly and will cause an open bite.
Oral Hygiene
For babies, use a clean, damp cloth and non-flouridated training toothpaste to cleanse teeth. When a child is old enough (around 2-years-old) to rinse out their mouths, use fluoridated toothpaste with a small, soft brush. Later on I would say age 3 is a great time for their first dental visit (even though it may not be much fun for you). But continue to brush twice and floss once a day. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to floss your child’s teeth once a day…even though they will probably resist this procedure. A lot of parents are surprised when their child develops cavities. But it’s not that parents did not help them brush, but that they did not know they had to floss baby teeth. So don’t forget to floss baby’s teeth everyday!
Sealants
Sealants are very important to prevent cavities, as it’s a protective thin wash of white coat to cover the grooves of back teeth. Sealants can be applied as soon as the 6-year molars and 12- year molars come in.
Dr. Grace Lee had been serving the Clarksville dental community for the past 7 years. Follow her at www.facebook.com/gracedentaltn **Grace Dental, www.gracedentaltn.com, 304 Providence Blvd, Clarksville, (931) 648-4100**