Caring for children’s oral health is a priority to us as to monitor and develop good oral hygiene habits at a young age. Children should start to come to a dentist for regular cleanings by the age of three.
As children grow, their teeth go through many changes too, and it is important to keep their teeth clean as well as ensure they are developing properly.
Space Maintainers
If a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent tooth loses its guide and can change it’s position in the mouth. Neighboring teeth are also prone to move into the empty space not leaving enough space for the permanent tooth.
A space maintainer is made of stainless steel and/or plastic and either be permanent or removable. Some space maintainers are cemented onto the teeth on either side of the space in the child’s mouth and others are similar to retainers using artificial teeth or plastic blocks to fill in the space.
The type of space maintainer that may be used is determined by several factors but not every tooth that is lost too early requires a space maintainer.
Pulpotomy
When decay reaches the nerve of a baby tooth, the infected portion of the nerve needs to be removed. This procedure is called a pulpotomy and is best described as a “mini” root canal treatment. This procedure is performed to help prevent the tooth from abscessing, which would require additional therapy or extraction of the tooth.
Compared to a root canal therapy performed on permanent teeth, this procedure is much quicker and will be completed during the same appointment a stainless steel crown is placed on the tooth. This treatment prevents abscess of the tooth approximately 90% of the time.
Sports Injury Protection
Preventing serious dental injuries if your child is involved in contact sports should be a priority. Custom mouth guards can be made once your child has lost all baby teeth. Other options are available if your child still has baby teeth.
Trauma is the number one cause of dental injuries in children. If you child has a dental injury, please see your doctor as soon as possible. If your child loses consciousness as a result of an injury and has a dental injury, please proceed to your nearest emergency room.