and your little one may get to be the first of his or her pals to get a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Elementary Years (Ages 6–12) Knockout
Dental Drama How to Handle Pediatric Tooth Troubles
By Malia Jacobson
K
eeping kids’ smiles healthy takes more than regular dental checkups (which should begin around 18 months) and brushing twice daily. In addition to the normal loss of baby teeth and a cavity or two, many children will experience some type of tooth-related trauma, like a chipped tooth or one that suddenly turns grey, at some point. While childhood dental dramas are common, experts warn against ignoring them because problems with baby teeth can affect developing permanent teeth. Read on for help with dental problems, from minor mishaps to true emergencies, to keep baby teeth beaming and big-kid grins gleaming. Early Years (Ages 0–5)
Shades of Grey
Many parents are dismayed to discover that one of their toddler’s pearly whites isn’t white at all—think grey or light brown. A tooth that suddenly darkens is fairly common: Because baby teeth have shallower roots than permanent teeth, they can die with even a slight bump, causing them to lose their white luster. Dentists generally advise a “wait and see” approach to a greying baby tooth because it’s usually just 14 MendoLakeFamilyLife
an aesthetic issue; dying baby teeth sometimes heal, and a dead baby tooth may not create any further problems or harm adult teeth, says pediatric dentist Sabrina Magid Katz, DMD. A greying baby tooth may become infected, which sometimes causes a tiny pustule on the gums above the tooth; a dentist can extract it and help treat the underlying infection. If the tooth has to go, take heart—it won’t affect spacing of the permanent teeth,
During the school years, kids lose most of their baby teeth and learn to care for their new adult choppers. And because children are so active during this stage, it’s not uncommon to knock out a tooth—ouch. A knocked-out tooth is a true dental emergency that warrants a call to your dentist. Dentists advise keeping the tooth
A greying baby tooth may become infected. damp so it doesn’t dry out; if possible, have the child hold it in place with a finger. If the tooth is a permanent one, your dentist may be able to restore it in its original position. But knocked-out baby teeth aren’t re-implanted, as that can damage the adult teeth underneath. Another common dental dilemma: Permanent teeth coming in before baby teeth fall out, resulting in multiple “rows” of teeth. This can look odd, but it’s not a big deal, says Katz; the tongue will push the permanent teeth into alignment once the baby teeth fall out. Encourage your child to keep wiggling the baby teeth; if one is particularly stubborn, your dentist can help coax it out. Teen Years (Ages 13–18) Chip Off the Old Block
Chomping ice, using teeth to open a bottle, or playing sports can lead to chipped teeth. While minor chips are mostly an aesthetic issue, a larger chip can expose nerve endings that make a tooth extremely temperature-sensitive
February 2020 www.mendolakefamilylife.com
