Month: April 2020

It’s a fantastic feeling to encounter the first tooth of your baby. Isn’t it? With this great feeling, comes the greater responsibility; to keep it and other ‘yet to arrive’ teeth healthy. Experts suggest that you should start taking care of your baby’s teeth and gums even before you notice the first tooth. After all, in the coming years, the gummy smile of your baby will be replaced by two full-fledged rows of teeth.

Why is the cleaning of teeth necessary?
You always need to keep the foundation secure, so that you can have a withstanding building. The same is the case with the teeth. Though the baby teeth are the primary teeth, they have to be strong enough to invite healthy permanent teeth. Moreover, the baby teeth are very weak with tender gums, which makes it vulnerable to infections and decays.

You might also have noticed your child sucking his thumb and the fingers very often, which adds to your responsibilities. You must know that this habit of your child can invite a lot of problems for the thumb and the teeth. It may lead to misalignment, cracks, or even call infections. That is why intensive care becomes so crucial at a young age of 0-4.

What is the ideal process for cleaning a baby’s teeth?
Before your child has his first tooth, the cleaning of gums is the necessary chore to perform. For that, you need a damp cloth, which should be made from a soft fabric. Use the cloth to rub on his gums after he is done with the milk or any drink. This will prevent any accumulation of the bacteria and also make them open to hygienic habits like rinsing the mouth after the meals.

After the first tooth appears, you should make sure that your child brushes his teeth twice a day. Are you wondering why this strictness is required? The thing is, whatever you will present to the child at this age, he will accept it wholeheartedly. Thus, it becomes essential to show him a right way to maintain hygiene and make him accustomed to brushing two times a day.

Not only the regular brushing habit but also the selection of the right toothbrush and toothpaste is also essential. For the effective cleaning of your child’s teeth, you need to get a toothpaste having Fluoride. Moreover, as the gums and teeth are very soft at infancy, make sure to select a brush with soft bristles. Otherwise, it will hurt the child and may even bleed.

Till the age of 7, your baby might not be able to brush by himself; that is why you need to assist him and even brush with him. It will not only back his procedure but also make it interesting for him. Put some good music to him and brush for the ideal time of 2 minutes, to get the effective results. Hence, practice a perfect brushing and flossing process to clean the baby’s teeth. Consult with the surgeon periodically to avoid any dental issues.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

The plastic coatings that are mostly placed on the chewing surface of your permanent back teeth, the molars and premolars are called dental sealants. They act as a blockade, protecting your teeth against decay-causing bacteria.

Role of Dental Sealants
The chewing parts of the molar and premolar teeth have canals, ‘fissures’ that make them prone to decay. Such fissures can be deep, are not easy to clean, and can be narrower for a single bristle of your toothbrush. Plaque collected in such areas, and the acid from bacteria attacks the enamel resulting in cavities. Fluoride assists in preventing decay and protects all the surfaces of the teeth. Dental sealants offer an extra layer of protection for the grooved and pitted sections by providing a smooth surface that covers the fissured part.

Thorough flossing and brushing can assist in removing food particles and plaque from the smooth areas of your teeth. However, most toothbrushes can’t reach all the way into grooves to take out all the food and plaque. With reliable dental sealants, you can create a barrier to avoid food particles to reach those deep areas.

When Should You Get Sealants?

Usually, the first dental sealant is placed on the fissure of the first permanent molar tooth. It happens after the chewing surface of your tooth has flared up properly beyond the gum. This tooth develops behind the baby teeth. If the occlusal surfaces of such teeth are secured, the dental sealant can assist in protecting the tooth. Apart from the wisdom teeth that grow much later, the molars and premolars continue to erupt until the age of eleven to thirteen. Moreover, the chewing areas of such teeth can be sealed after they have wholly erupted beyond your gum.

How are Dental Sealants Placed?
Firstly, your dentist or hygienist will clean the tooth surface entirely with a paste and rotating brush. He or she will then wash your teeth with water. An acidic solution will be placed on the fissured area of your tooth’s chewing surface for a few seconds before rinsing off. It will create tiny microscopic areas and a fine-dense surface around the tooth enamel that can be viewed through a microscope.

The rough area and microscopic surfaces allow the dental sealant to stick to your tooth. After your tooth is dried again, the liquid dental sealant is placed on the tooth and hardened. Sealants are tightened with the help of a light that hardens them. At times, dentists utilize a two-component dental sealant that sets without a light. Lastly, when the dental sealant is tight, it becomes hard like a plastic varnish coating, and you can start chewing on the tooth again.

Moreover, sealants are quite easy for your dentist or hygienist to apply as it only takes some minutes to seal each tooth. You don’t have to worry about pain or discomfort during the procedure. You can even choose the type of dental sealants as they come in clear, white, or have a slight tint.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.

A newborn baby brings unparalleled happiness for you and your family. But, no doubt, it also calls for a few responsibilities on your shoulder. One of the most important and challenging tasks is the maintenance of your baby’s teeth. But, the important question is “when to Begin Dental Care for Your Baby?. Let’s start this with some interesting facts-

• Teeth are formed when babies are in the womb itself.
• At the time of birth, babies have 20 teeth, though invisible.
• Teeth actually start appearing between the age of six and ten months old.
• The last is the adult teeth. 32 in number, substitute these primary teeth between 6-20 years of age

When should you be concerned?
You cannot wait for the baby to turn 5 or 6, to start his dental care. Instead, the basic care for his teeth should be started as soon as he is born. There are a few key steps to it. One of them is to clean his gums with a damp gauze. This way, you are preparing him for brushing and other healthy habits when his first tooth appears.

Have a look at these things that you should definitely include in your ‘to-do list’ at this stage-

• Post-feeding cleaning- Do not miss cleaning your baby’s gum after you feed him. You can use a soft cloth for the purpose, else it might hurt. Also, as you have to feed him many times a day, wrapping a soft piece of cloth around your finger will be handy.
• Gentle massage- Accompany the cleaning process with a gentle massage in the baby’s gums. You can do this before bedtime.
• Teething ring- Once the baby is 4-6 months, he/she will start having his first tooth. This is called teething. During this time, he may drool more. He may want to chew everything. To make him comfortable, you can get a teething ring for your baby. He may also experience redness and swelling in the gums, which is normal. But, if it lasts longer and creates a problem, you must see a dentist.

At this instance of time, and onwards, be familiar with the normal shape of baby teeth and check your baby for the same. Also, make sure there are no dark spots or patches on his teeth. If you find any such sign, you need to be concerned, see a dentist and seriously begin dental care for your baby.

Golden steps to dental care
The basic care starts from the birth of your baby itself. However, with the growth of teeth, concern increases multiple folds. Make sure you follow these steps to prevent his teeth from permanent decay –

• Schedule a dental visit, as soon as your baby has his first tooth.
• Consult the dentist for the right toothpaste for his teeth at different crucial ages.
• Make him brush his teeth twice a day.
• Keep him away from candies and drinks.
• Avoid putting him to sleep with a bottle.

Follow these simple steps to keep your baby teeth healthy from his childhood itself!

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.