As a child grows up, there are a host of milestones that every parent and child can both celebrate. From taking their first step to speaking their first words, young children experience many accomplishments in the early years of their lives. One of these milestones happens to be when a child starts losing baby teeth. While it can be a mildly painful process, young children celebrate losing baby teeth. After all, it doesn’t happen all at once and occurs over a few years. Additionally, they are often school age at this time. Many of their peers are going through the same process, as well. They can share their experience and celebrate each other’s accomplishments.
Losing baby teeth is a big moment for a child, as it signals that they are growing up. However, your child will lose many baby teeth before their permanent adult teeth emerge. It can be a confusing time for a child. Some losses aren’t painless, and no parent wants to see their little one hurt. While we all know about the tooth fairy, what else should you do when your child is losing baby teeth?
Losing baby teeth is a big step in the development of young children. It’s one of the major keep indicators of your child’s growth. While it is an exciting time, it also means some changes are happening. Many parents may wonder what they should do during this time. Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas understands the importance and excitement of losing baby teeth, and we are here to help.
Your child’s baby teeth will first erupt when they are around six months old. All 20 of their baby teeth will come in by the time they are between 2-3 years old. On average, most children start to lose their baby teeth by the time they are 6-7 years old, but they can begin losing them earlier. They will start losing baby teeth to make way for their permanent teeth. These teeth typically fall out in the same order that they came in, beginning with the lower center row. However, that isn’t always the case.
Baby teeth start getting lose when permanent teeth, also called secondary teeth, start pushing on them when they are ready to erupt. A baby tooth won’t loosen until a permanent tooth starts pushing it out of the socket. As the permanent tooth pushes up from underneath the gumline, it destroys the anchoring root for the baby tooth. As this root deteriorates, the primary tooth loosens more and more. This process can take several weeks and even months. As long as there is no redness, swelling, or other additional irritation, it is best to let these teeth fall out on their own.
We know for many kids wiggly, loose teeth may be annoying. However, it is best if you let the tooth fall out on its own. You can tell your child to wiggle their loose tooth gently to speed up the process, but you should not pull it out. When you pull it out too soon, you break the root, which leaves the space more vulnerable to bacteria and infection, threatening your child’s dental health. It can even cause pain and bleeding. However, if a loose tooth remains in the socket for several months, bring your child to the dentist. It may need to be professionally pulled.
Teeth usually fall out on their own by getting stuck in food. If a tooth is extremely loose, virtually hanging on by a thread, you can take a tissue and try to rotate the tooth until it pops out. In some rare cases, a child will swallow their tooth, but you do not need to worry. It will pass like everything else.
As a parent, you should inform your child that after a tooth has fallen out, they may feel some tingling and some light bleeding. This is normal. Many children won’t experience bleeding if they let their teeth fall out on their own. However, remind your child that the pain and blood will go away shortly. Have them rinse their mouth with water. Then place gauze or a damp towel in their mouth to ease pain and stop bleeding. If pain continues, you can use over-the-counter medication, such as Ibuprofen, or an oral anesthetic.
You must remember that a lost baby tooth will not be replaced by a permanent tooth immediately. It typically takes several weeks for a permanent tooth to replace a baby tooth. Your child will likely have a gap in their teeth that they can show off to their friends. When the secondary tooth comes in, you may notice a few things. First, the tooth will have pronounced ridges when they first erupt, but over time, chewing will wear them smooth. Additionally, these teeth will be less white than baby teeth, which is normal.
Most notably, your child’s new teeth will look super-sized in their mouth. These adult teeth are fully formed and will remain this size their whole life. Your child will grow into them in due time.
Losing baby teeth is a natural part of life. All children go through this process. While they won’t lose their teeth at the same rate as each other, they will all eventually lose them. Outside of the topics we discussed already, there are a few more things all parents should know about losing baby teeth:
When your child begins losing their teeth, you should still bring them to the dentist to ensure that their permanent teeth grow correctly. Additionally, if you believe your child is having problems with losing their teeth too soon or too late, contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas and let us help care for your child’s teeth.
No matter the time of the year, dental hygiene should always be an important part of any family’s home. From parents to children, everyone should engage in proper oral hygiene. We’ve talked ad nauseam about the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once daily. By engaging in these healthy habits, you better protect yourself from gum disease, cavities, oral cancer, and more.
However, it can be very difficult to instill these oral care habits in young children. Many children don’t find flossing and brushing their teeth very exciting or fun. It just feels like a chore they don’t want to do. However, as parents, it is your responsibility to ensure that their teeth are properly taken care of to ensure they won’t need a root canal or another type of extraction later in life.
Many experts in dental care are aware of how important proper oral care is, but they also understand how difficult it can be for children to adopt these habits. That’s why National Children’s Dental Health Month was established and is celebrated every February. The goal of the month is to help children develop good oral health habits at a young age and visit their dentist regularly to ensure they have healthy teeth and gums throughout life.
Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas understands how important establishing healthy oral care habits at a young age is. We are here to help educate you and your children on the best ways to keep their teeth and gums healthy not just in National Children’s Dental Health Month, but year-round.
National Children’s Dental Health Month is a joint project between the American Dental Association (ADA) and Crest Oral-B. To begin, a group of 26 dentists founded the American Dental Association in August 1859. They met in Niagara Falls, New York, to form a society of professional dentists to promote the standards of oral care and scientific research. Their first president was William Henry Atkinson, a Cleveland dentist and a pioneer in the world of dental surgery.
Since its inception, there have been 157 ADA presidents. All of these individuals were some of the brightest minds in the world of dentistry, providing their skills and knowledge to their fellow peers.
Almost a hundred years after its creation, the ADA observed the first-ever National Children’s Health Day on February 8, 1949. However, just six years later, this day-long event stretched to include the entire week. Eventually, in 1981, they decided to dedicate the entire month of February to children’s dental health.
Now, in National Children’s Dental Health Month, dental care professionals, caregivers, teachers, parents, and more come together to encourage young children to get a jumpstart on their oral health. Throughout the month, information about the importance of taking care of your teeth, along with the proper ways to do so, is spread.
2020 marks the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening your teeth. You can naturally find fluoride in various foods and water. Every day, your teeth lose minerals from their enamel. Fluoride helps build it back up and protect your teeth from acid attacks caused by plaque, bacteria, and sugar. Over the years, the mineral was strategically added to drinking water throughout the world and can now be found in most community water.
In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the entire world to fully implement the use of fluoride in its drinking water. Research has shown there is no reason to worry about the fluoridation of public drinking water. It’s also safe and effective, preventing tooth decay by at least 25% in both children and adults.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even named community water fluoridation as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.
Since 2020 is the 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation, the ADA would like to honor both this milestone and National Children’s Dental Health Month by making the slogan for the month “Fluoride in water prevents cavities! Get it from the tap!” Dr.inking fluoridated water is a useful way to protect the health of your children’s teeth.
Throughout the entire month of February, dental care experts will provide plenty of information about the importance of proper oral hygiene along with some of the best practices to teach your young children to ensure that their teeth, gums, tongue, and overall health of their mouth are protected. Some ways to celebrate this month include:
National Children’s Dental Health Month serves as a time that parents, caregivers, oral experts, and more spread information about oral hygiene and the best ways to keep your children’s teeth healthy. To learn how you can celebrate or to schedule your child’s next dental cleaning, contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas today.
Losing your baby teeth is an important part of growing up. For many young children, losing their baby teeth can be a traumatic and painful experience. There are many things that parents can do to help ease these moments. One of the most popular ways to comfort their children when they lose a tooth is the Tooth Fairy.
The Tooth Fairy is a mythical fairy who brings young children a reward in exchange for their lost tooth. All the child must do is place their lost tooth under their pillow before they go to sleep, so the tooth fairy can come and get it. The Tooth Fairy is such an important part of growing up that August 22nd is recognized as National Tooth Fairy Day!
The Tooth Fairy is one of the many iconic symbols many children experience when growing up, along with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. While these two both have long, storied origins closely linked to Christian and pagan traditions, the Tooth Fairy is a rather new mythical creature.
The modern version of the Tooth Fairy as seen in pop culture is a relatively new creation. There are folktales spanning the globe in which you would offer your teeth to an animal specifically a mouse. Such stories include that of the French’s La Petite Souris and Spain’s Ratoncito Peréz.
A mouse was used because it was believed that by giving them your old tooth, you will be rewarded with strong teeth like their own.
However, the earliest reference to the modern-day Tooth Fairy specifically was in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1908. It combined the legend of the mouse with the good fairy myth. In 1927, Esther Watkins Arnold is credited with the Tooth Fairy’s first print appearance in her children’s play, “The Tooth Fairy.” Many believe that because of the Disney films coming out at the time featuring good fairies, the Tooth Fairy began to gain traction, solidifying her place in pop culture.
While many believe the tooth fairy to be an immortal character, she is no older than a senior citizen.
While it may seem like a minor holiday, it can help children learn about proper dental hygiene and help comfort their fears. This holiday can help:
The Tooth Fairy has become a welcome part of growing up. Losing your baby teeth is a normal part of life. It is a painful experience. However, with the help of the Tooth Fairy, many children feel at ease and excited to lose their teeth. The great thing about National Tooth Fairy Day is that it occurs twice a year! Once in February and August! We’re guessing that’s because it’s recommended to receive a dental cleaning once every two months. Contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas to schedule appointments for the whole family.
Having a baby is an exciting time for parents. They get to experience a world of new moments and opportunities. Many of a baby’s firsts are moments to be adored, such as their first word, first steps, and first tooth. Unlike the first two, when a baby grows their first tooth, it can create an uncomfortable and sometimes painful experience known as teething.
Babies often tend to begin teething when they are between 4-7 months old. Typically, their two bottom front teeth are the first to erupt. Then, their top front teeth follow after. The actual growth of the teeth doesn’t worry parents, but how it affects their baby does.
Every child is different. Some babies do not begin teething until they are almost a year old while some begin much earlier. Many parents often believe that since their child is drooling, they are teething. While drooling is a symptom of teething, it does not mean teething has begun. Babies can show teething symptoms but not begin teething for several months.
However, there are some symptoms once a tooth has erupted or in the process of teething to be alert to, including:
These are all normal symptoms for teething babies. It is important to keep an eye on your child’s fever. Teething is not known to cause high fevers, so if your infant’s fever is over 102 F, then take them to their doctor immediately. You should also contact their doctor if they have diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, or a cough.
Once again, all babies are different. Therefore, they will all react differently to different treatments. You may have to try out several different soothing techniques to help your little one. However, if your baby is teething, and they appear uncomfortable, you can try these soothing treatments:
Ideally, you should clean your child’s new teeth with a recommended soft-bristled infant toothbrush daily. This helps keep bacteria from harming your child. Since your child doesn’t learn how to spit until the age of 3, only use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. When they get around 2 or 3, a pea-sized drop of toothpaste can be used.
It’s also time to consider taking them for their first dental checkup. It is recommended to take your child to the dentist after their first tooth has come in. This allows you to learn more about caring for your child’s teeth while getting your child familiar with their dentist.
Teething often leads to cranky and irritated babies. While their symptoms aren’t continuous as they grow their teeth, it can still cause them discomfort. If you wish to learn more about soothing your child as they teeth or to schedule a pediatric dental checkup, give Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas a call.
Whenever your child’s first baby teeth start coming in, this can be an exciting time in both you as the parent and the child’s lives. It’s a step in the growth of your child. Now the question is when should you take your child to go to the dentist? Even though their baby teeth will begin to fall out whenever they are around 6 or 7 years old, it is still important to maintain the health of the teeth they do have, their gums, and their overall oral hygiene.
It is typically recommended that you should take your child to the dentist by their first birthday or within 6 months after their first tooth comes in. However, even though getting their first tooth is extremely exciting, visiting the dentist for the first time can be equally as nerve-racking. It is important to understand a few things prior to your child’s first visit to ease any nerves you or your child may have.
Your child’s first dental visit is typically a short and informal meeting, involving very little or no treatment. This visit can be seen more like a meet and greet between you, your child, and your dentist. You may be asked to sit in the dental chair with your child in your lap during the exam to boost their comfort level. Sometimes if the child is a little older, you will be asked to sit in the waiting room so that your child can build a relationship with their pediatric dentist.
During the visit, all of your child’s existing teeth will be checked for decay, and their bite, gums, and oral tissues will be examined for any potential problems. If needed, the dentist will clean any teeth and assess whether fluoride is needed. The dentist will then educate the parents on proper pediatric oral care, including proper gum and tooth care. The discussion of oral habits like thumb or lip sucking, the use of a pacifier, or teething will be brought up. It is important to have a list of question pertaining to oral hygiene or even proper teeth friendly foods, so the dentist can answer any and all of them in one sitting.
Some toddlers often have anxiety or discomfort about their upcoming dental appointments, and those fears can become worse when they actually get to the check-up. These feelings are completely normal and have been felt by most of us. It is important to remember that your child has no ill feelings about the dentist just yet, but they just fear the unknown. As a parent, you should keep your negative feelings and bias in check so that they do not affect your child’s views. Here are some more helpful tips to ease your child’s first visit:
After your dentist is finished with your child’s exam, they will let you know how often you should schedule them an appointment, but it is usually recommended that they go once every six months.
Your child’s first visit to the dentist is a big step in their physical and developmental growth. It allows them to get accustomed to their dentist and medical appointments altogether. While these visits can be stressful for the child and parent, there are plenty of ways to improve how smooth your child’s first check-up goes. If your child has begun growing teeth, it may be time to schedule them an appointment with their pediatric dentist in Irving. Contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment today!
Did you know that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? You may be wondering what that means. The purpose of this month is awareness. Thousands of healthcare professionals, dentists, healthcare providers, and educators come together in February to bring and spread awareness to parents all over about the importance of keeping their child’s mouth healthy and teaching them good oral habits at a young age.
Although tooth decay is preventable in its entirety, it is the most common chronic disease in children. When life gets busy, many parents fail to enforce healthy oral habits on their children which results in tooth decay. Ensuring your child has a healthy mouth when they are older, starts by enforcing it when they are younger.
The importance of oral health is underestimated because so many don’t realize the correlation between oral health and overall health. The reality is that your child should be brushing at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and visiting their pediatric dentist in Las Colinas every 6 months from age 2 forward. While getting your kids to practice oral health can be difficult sometimes, let’s talk about some ways to make it a bit more fun.
Teaching your child healthy oral habits is pretty much just as important as taking care of your child’s oral health itself. If you implement these habits into your child when they are young, you are doing them a favor for later on in their lives.
Here at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we prioritize our patients and their health. If you are looking for a caring, friendly, and innovative team of dental health experts, you can find us here. Call us today to schedule an appointment.
While Halloween is a very exciting time for your children, and even for the whole family, it can also be a not-so-exciting time for your children’s dental health. While we don’t want to deprive our kids of candy on Halloween, it is important to consider the damage that chewy and sugary candy does to their teeth. If you want to enjoy your trick-or-treat candy this year, you still can, but try following these tips as they may help you and your kids keep a healthier smile after the Halloween fun is done.
When it comes to a family dentist, you want to go to someone you can trust. Here at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry of Las Colinas, we can help. Come see our team of caring dentists and oral experts for an excellent dental experience. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call today.
At around six months of age, teething is something every baby goes through and it can be difficult time for both you and your child. Babies that are teething tend to be quite fussy, as well as keep mom and dad awake most of the night. Even the calmest of babies can become quite rowdy when they are teething. You never want your child to be in pain, so as parents, when your baby is teething and suffering from sore and sensitive gums your natural instinct is to want to do something to help them relieve that discomfort.
Most babies’ teeth start to come in around six months. While your child is going through this natural process, they will likely exert some or even all of the following signs:
No parent wants to see their child in discomfort, but luckily there are some steps you can take to help alleviate your babies’ teething pain. Check out these tips and tricks to see what works best for your baby..
When your child’s teeth come in, you should take them to see a pediatric dentist to have their gums and teeth checked. This appointment should take place before or by your child’s first birthday. From then on after, your child should return to the dentist for a checkup every six months.
If you are looking for a trusted and caring pediatric dentist in Irving, here at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we can help. We know choosing your child’s doctors can be a difficult decision, and that is why we want to reassure you in your choice to bring your child to our excellent dental team. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Getting your kids to take care of themselves can be a difficult task. Whether it is getting them to eat their vegetables, drink enough water, go to sleep at their bedtime, take a bath, or brush their teeth, you have to approach them the right way in order to instill those healthy habits into them. The best and most promising way to get your child to practice healthy habits is to start promoting those healthy habits as early as you can.
A lot of parents don’t realize the power of communication with their kids. From a young age, explain to your child the importance of taking good care of their teeth. Make sure to not skip out on a brush before bedtime, as well as in the morning or afternoon. Tell your child about the importance of having strong teeth and how certain habits will help them achieve that.
Kids learn a lot by example. When they are young, they look up to their parents to learn how they want to be. They will mimic many of the things you do, and if you make sure to also take care of yourself in front of them, they will notice and pick up on it and be more likely themselves to engage in healthy habits. You can even make oral health something you do together, each night before your child goes to sleep you both brush your teeth together. Doing it together always makes it a bit more special.
Try to not make brushing teeth seem like a chore. There are actually a lot of ways to make it fun. First, let your child pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste at the store. They have a lot of fun and creatively designed toothbrushes these days for kids, whether it is their favorite cartoon character or color, they will love picking out their own toothbrush. A really great way to ensure your kids are brushing their teeth for long enough is to pick out one of their favorite two-minute songs. This will ensure that they brush for long enough and have fun while doing it.
It is recommended that you take your child to a pediatric dentist in Las Colinas by the age of 1 or within six months of their first tooth eruption. Don’t ever skip out on your child’s annual (every six months) dental checkup either. Make sure it is a priority to you and your child that you go for checkups. This will prevent further dental issues in the future as well as help instill another healthy oral habit in them.
Here at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we understand that going the dentist can be scary for a child. We care about you and your child’s dental experience and will always do everything in our ability to make it a good one. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our smile experts, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Cavities are one of the most common oral related problems that people find themselves going to the dentist for, and yet many of us don’t even really know how cavities form. Sure, most of us learn when we are kids what to do to prevent cavities, from avoiding eating too much sugar and candy to always make sure to regularly brush and floss our teeth. But, even though most of us know how to prevent cavities, that doesn’t mean we all know how exactly the cavities form. So, let’s talk about it.
Cavities are a consequence of tooth decay, which takes place in multiple stages. When bacteria reside on the tooth for too long, it eventually inflicts damage on the enamel or hard surface of the tooth. Enamel is made up of a type of mineral, because of this, and despite its hard physicality, the enamel is prone to erosion via bacteria. Over time, this destruction (and the bacteria) makes its way past the enamel and even through the deeper levels and layers of the tooth when it coincides with what we know as tooth decay.
The bacteria build up over time forms into plaque, and then into tartar, which both over time cause destruction to the enamel on your teeth. Without proper and consistent care, the plaque and tartar eventually eat away at the enamel which causes tiny holes to form in the tooth. This is the process of tooth decay. The acid in our diets can also cause these holes to grow larger over time and eventually they turn into cavities.
It’s better to work to prevent cavities rather than to have to endure fillings to repair them. Prevention methods will save you time, money, and pain in the future. Make sure to maintain a consistent and proper oral care routine. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss your teeth at least once a day.
You can also maintain healthy teeth through your diet. Avoid sugars and starches, as the cavity forming bacteria feed off these substances. Also, avoiding foods and drinks that are high in acidity will help you prevent cavities from forming. One of the most important things to do to avoid cavity formation is to make sure to visit your dentist in Las Colinas at least twice a year for a cleaning.
If you have more questions about oral care and cavity prevention or are looking for a great dentist in Irving to visit for your biannual teeth cleanings, here at Cosmetic and Family Dentistry we can help. Our team of friendly and caring oral experts will be happy to help you’re your mouth in tip-top shape. Contact us today!
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