When should my children begin visiting a dentist?
Children should have their first appointment with their dentist around the time their first tooth erupts. This is typically near their first birthday. Beginning routine visits with our kids’ dentist in Round Lake Beach from a young age can help ensure your child’s mouth develops properly and that you are up-to-date on home care procedures for their smile.
Why do we fix primary teeth that have tooth decay?
Although primary teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced with adult teeth, it’s important to keep them healthy. These teeth have an important function as placeholders for their adult set. If a baby tooth is lost to damage or decay it may impact the development of permanent teeth, resulting in staining, pitting, or orthodontic issues.
When will my child begin losing their baby teeth?
The process of losing baby teeth starts between age 5 and 6 for most kids, though it’s not unusual for a child to begin losing teeth sooner or later. The first two teeth to go are usually the front two. Most kids are between the ages of 12 and 13 when their final permanent teeth erupt.
Is my child’s thumb-sucking habit damaging their teeth?
Thumb-sucking is a common habit for young children, and in most cases will not harm their development if stopped by the age of five. This is near the age when permanent teeth will begin to come in. Continuing with this habit can cause moderate to severe effects, moving the teeth and preventing normal growth.
My child is involved in sports. Should they be wearing a mouthguard?
Our kids’ dentist in Round Lake Beach strongly recommends mouthguards for any child involved in contact sports. Mouthguards play an important role in protecting your child from the pain of dental trauma. The younger your child is when they begin to wear a mouthguard, the less distracting it will be for them to wear one as they age and continue to play.
My child’s tooth has been knocked out. What should I do?
You will need to act quickly to save a permanent, adult tooth. Immediately pick up the tooth (by the crown, never the root) and rinse it under gentle water without wiping. You can try to insert the tooth back into the socket and call our kids’ dentist in Round Lake Beach dentist for an emergency appointment. If you are unable to re-insert it, place the tooth in a small jar of milk while you await your appointment. If the tooth in question is from your child’s primary set, do not re-insert the tooth, and still contact your dentist for an emergency appointment.
