St. Petersburg dentist, Dentist in St. Petersburg, FL

Why Are The Primary (Baby) Teeth So Important?

It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for (1) proper chewing and eating, (2) providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, (3) permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front eight teeth last until 6-7 years of age, the back 12 teeth, (cuspids and molars) aren't replaced until age 10-13.

Care of Your Child's Teeth

Begin daily brushing as soon as the child's first tooth erupts. A pea size amount of fluoride toothpast can be used after the child is old enough not to swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about the age seven to make sure they are going a through job.

Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle; start along the gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower, Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.

Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Flossing should begin when two teeth touch. It should take a minimum of two minutes to brush and floss your child's teeth twice a day.

Good Diet = Healthy Teeth

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups.

Snacks

We love them, they taste great, they are usually a good source of quick energy.

Problem

They can increase the acid that damages teeth. Some snack food will cling between the teeth for hours. Most foods, including main meals and snacks can be contributing factors in producing cavities. Its not just the presence of sugar, but a combination of factors. Any food that contains sugar or starch is capable of causing decay. Everyone immediately places the blame on sweet, but the truth is that sugars can be found in fruits, vegetables and even milk. Starches or fermentable carbohydrates such as potato chips, croissants, bread sticks, fresh doughy bread, pretzels, soda crackers and many types of cereal can stick to the teeth for some time after a meal. These starches mix with saliva in the mouth which contains an enzyme that rapidly turns the starches into sugar. Therefore, starch foods, as well as sugary ones, should be limited as between-meal snacks unless you are willing to brush your teeth right after you eat them. Bacteria cannot read labels, and as far as the teeth are concerned sugar is sugar, where it comes from doesn't matter.

It must be remembered that the frequency of eating sugar and starches and the length of time exposed to the teeth is much more damaging than the amount of sugar consumed. For example, sucking on a cough drop, life saver or a tootsie-pop can be much more harmful than eating several pieces of candy. In fact, there is a substance in chocolate that blocks a bacterial enzyme that leads to plaque build-up and cavities. This protannin-like substance is also found in cocoa, tea, coffee and unsweetened fruit juices.

Examples of snacks that have a low cavity risk are:

Raw vegetalbes such as broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery and cucumbers

Cheeses such as Swiss, Monterey Jack, cheddar, cream and cottage

Peanuts or natural peanut butter (no sugar)

Popcorn

Nuts and seeds

Hard boiled eggs

Fresh fruits

Pizza

Sugarless gum

Examples of snacks that have a high cavity risk are:

Starches such as potato chips, soda crackers, doughnuts, breads, cakes, cookies, sugared breakfast cereals, pancakes, waffles, croissants and pretzels.

Bananas, dates, raisins

Fruit Jellies and Jams, fruit pies, dried fruits, fruit bars, fruit roll-ups and fruit juices

Caramels, and sugared gums

Cooked starches such as carrots

What's the Best Toothpaste for my Child?

Tooth brushing is one of most important tasks for good oral health. Many toothpastes and/or tooth powders however, can damage young smiles. They contain harsh abrasives which can wear away young tooth enamel. When looking for a toothpaste for your child make sure to pick one that is recommended by the American Dental Association.

Remember, children should spit out toothpaste after brushing to avoid getting to much fluoride. If too much fluoride is ingested, a condition known as flourosis can occur. If you child is too young or unable to spit out the toothpaste, consider providing them with a fluoride free toothpaste, using no toothpaste or using only a pea size amount of toothpaste.

Does Your Child Grind His Teeth At Night? (Brusism)

Parents are often concerned about the nocturnal grinding of teeth. Often, the first indication is the noise created by the child grinding on their teeth during sleep. Or, the parents notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. One theory as to the cause involves a psychological component. Stress due to an environment, divorce, changes at school, peer pressure, etc; can influence a child to grind their teeth. This type of grinding is usually transient .

Another theory relate to pressure in the inner ear at night. If there are pressure changes the child will grind by moving his jaw to relieve the pressure, similar to chewing gum while in an airplane.

The majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. The good news is most children outgrow bruxism. The grinding gets less between the ages of 6-9 and children tend to stop grinding between the ages of 9-12.

Tongue Piercing - Is it Really Cool?

You might not be surprised anymore to see people with pierced tongues, lips or cheeks, but you might be surprised to know just how dangerous these piercings can be.

There are may risks involved with oral piercings including chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots, or blood poisoning. Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercings. Your tongue can swell large enough to close off your airway.

Common symptoms after piercing include pain, swelling, infection, an increased flow of saliva and injuries to the gum tissue. Difficult-to-control bleeding or nerve damage can result if a blood vessel or nerve bundle is in the path of the needle.