Primary or ‘baby’ teeth are weaker than adult teeth as they have a much thinner layer of enamel. Because of this, they can be more susceptible to decay and erosion. Primary teeth are important for many reasons. They help children speak clearly and chew naturally, but also maintain the space for when the permanent successor tooth erupts. Children start losing baby teeth from the age of six years, but the last primary molar teeth are not lost until 10-12 years of age. If a cavity is not filled, this can lead to pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth. This in turn can lead to space loss and perhaps create orthodontic problems in the future.

Prevention is ALWAYS better than treatment. Diet advice is essential as many foods that seem healthy can be very damaging to teeth. Also early advice on soother use & thumb sucking can save a lot of future problems.

A Dental cavities are preventable with good diet habits and tooth brushing routine. Many foods that seem healthy can be damaging to teeth!

It is impossible to cut out all treats but with a few changes your child’s teeth can be much happier and healthier

•Decrease the frequency of eating – keep treats to mealtimes
•Avoid treats that last a long time e.g. jellies & lollipops! Chocolate doesn’t last quite as long. Raisins with natural sugars stick like toffee in teeth – be aware!
•Milk & water are the only really tooth-safe drinks. Even ‘no added sugar’ juices contain natural sugars –Water only after the night-time brush – not milk
•Replace snacks with healthy alternatives – ask your dentist for more advice or examples

Fissure sealants are clear or coloured plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back permanent teeth, where decay occurs most often. Sealants fill in the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth which are hard to clean, and prevent food particles from getting caught, possibly causing cavities. They are quick and comfortable to apply, and can effectively protect teeth for 5-10 year Fissure sealants can be done once your child’s permanent back teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about six or seven) to protect them from decays

With any injury to your child’s mouth, you should contact a dentist immediately as the  dentist will want to examine the affected area and determine appropriate treatment.

If your child is in pain from a broken, cracked or chipped tooth, you should visit a  dentist immediately. You may want to give an over-the-counter pain reliever to your child until his/her appointment. If possible, keep any part of the tooth that has broken off and take this with you to the dentist.

If a tooth is completely knocked out of the mouth by an injury, take the tooth to your dentist as soon as possible. Handle the tooth as little as possible-do not wipe or otherwise clean the tooth. Store the tooth in a cup of fresh milk (never ever store it in tap water or wash/wipe it clean) until you get to a dentist. It may be possible for the tooth to be placed back into your child’s mouth, a procedure called re-implantation.

At Grady Family Dental we provide same day emergency and out of hours service