FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY PARENTS TO THEIR CHILD’S DENTIST

1. When should my child first see a dentist?

The child should be taken to the dentist within 6 months of the eruption of 1st baby tooth or by 1 year of age; whichever is earlier.

2. Do baby teeth matter if they’re going to fall out anyway?

Yes, of course, baby teeth hold space and act as guides for the eruption of the new permanent teeth. If there is an infection in the baby tooth, it can affect the permanent tooth developing inside the jawbones. Also, if the baby tooth is removed before it is time to fall off naturally, it can cause alignment problems in the permanent teeth.

3. Why is my child getting cavities even though he/she doesn’t take too many chocolates?

Cavities develop when remnants of what we eat and drink get stuck on the teeth and are not cleaned properly. Chocolates and other sugary foods make the decay process faster. Other foods like bread, cakes, biscuits, fruit drinks, etc. can also stick to the teeth and can cause cavities. There are hidden sugars in food products like ketchup, salad dressings, cold cereals, energy bars, flavored yogurt, crackers, formula feeds, etc. which increase the risk for cavities.

4. Which toothpaste should I use for my child? At what age should I start using toothpaste?

Once the baby’s first tooth erupts, start using a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

For 0-2 years- 1000ppm F- smear/rice size amount of toothpaste

2-6 years- 1000ppm F- pea-sized amount of toothpaste

6-12 years- 1450-1500 ppm F

After 12 years- adult toothpaste

5. How can we prevent tooth decay?

Tooth decay can be prevented by proper cleaning of teeth (twice daily brushing with Fluoride toothpaste & flossing after each meal); having a tooth-friendly diet, reducing sticky and sugary foods and snacks, and doing regular dental check-ups every 6 months.

6. What is the correct age for putting braces on my child’s teeth?

The age for starting braces treatment depends on the type of problem the child has. Certain problems with the bite like crossbites, differences in growth of upper and lower jaws, etc. need to be corrected early as soon as detected; whereas other treatments like crowding/spacing may be done after all permanent teeth have erupted. The age of commencing treatment varies according to the type of problem the child has.

7. Is root canal treatment safe for children?

Yes, absolutely. Root canal treatment is done when the decay goes deep and involves the pulp of the tooth which contains the blood vessels and nerves. It involves removing the infected pulp, cleaning and shaping the root canals, and filling them with a medicament.

Performing a root canal procedure is safe for children. If a child needs a root canal for a tooth and if it is not done, it can cause the infection to spread to the underlying permanent tooth.

8. Is fluoride safe for children?

Fluoride is essential for the prevention of cavities. Your dentist will advise you on the correct amount of fluoride required for your child at his/her age.

9. Is my child having cavities because of calcium deficiency?

If a child develops cavities after the tooth has come out, it is unlikely that it is caused by calcium deficiency. But, calcium deficiency during the time of tooth formation can result in defective structure and shape of the tooth resulting in a weak tooth.

But if the tooth comes out normally without any defect and then starts developing cavities after a period of time, it is likely due to improper cleaning and/or sugar-rich diet.

10. What are space maintainers?

If a child needs a baby tooth removal at an early age, the space held by the baby tooth will be closed or reduced by adjacent teeth tilting or moving into that space. So, to hold the space till the new permanent tooth erupts, we place a space maintainer. It is removed by the dentist once the new tooth starts to erupt.