By two years of age, are all the baby teeth present?There is a lot of variation among children. The likely answer is no! Primary teeth begin to arrive around 6 months of age. By age two, 16 teeth usually are present and the last of the molars begin to appear, but they do not finish erupting until around 30 months. The upper molars are usually the last to come in. Show What type of toothbrush do you recommend?There are many
types of toothbrushes on the market. Some manufacturers specialize in the development of children’s toothbrushes. How often do you recommend cleaning teeth?One of the most important things about a tooth cleaning schedule is developing good habits. Brushing should be done at least twice daily – morning and at bedtime. Of course, if it is done more often it is beneficial, especially after meals or sweet snacks. The highest prevention against cavities, happens when brushing with fluoride toothpaste is supervised by parents. How much toothpaste is it safe to use on my toddler?Toothpaste amount for Ages 0-2 Toothpaste amount for ages 2-6 As mentioned before, children 0-3 should use an amount of fluoride toothpaste equal to the size of a grain of rice twice a day. Children 3 to 6 should use an amount equal to the size of a pea. This amount is safe even if swallowed, however, it is a good idea to teach your toddler to spit the excess toothpaste. Rinsing is NOT necessary, as the highest protection against cavities results from brushing and spitting only. What can be done if my child doesn’t like toothpaste?Brushing is important as it allows to remove the food debris from around the teeth and gums. However, toothpaste with 1000 ppm of fluoride makes the tooth more resistant to decay by making the outer tooth layer (enamel) stronger. Without fluoride toothpaste this benefit is lost. Toothpastes also help to have a pleasant breath. Different brands have different flavoring. You may try several toothpastes so as to find the one your child likes. In this way you will help him/her to get used to the routine of brushing. Just make sure that you always use the right amount of toothpaste: size of a grain of rice for 0-3 and size of a pea for children 3 to 6. Why do my child’s upper and lower teeth not come together?This is typical of what dentists call an “open bite”. This situation can be seen in younger children (2-5 years) and in some older ones too. There are several reasons why this may occur. One of the most common causes of an open bite is habit. Sucking fingers or thumbs, placing the tongue between the teeth and holding objects between the teeth (like a pacifier) all are habits that can cause this problem. It can
also be a family trait. What do you suggest to get my child to stop sucking the thumb?Children between ages 2 to 5 years are usually developing the social skills that will allow them to slowly stop their sucking habit. Aggressive treatment is not recommended before this age. An occasional reminder to remove the finger is reasonable, always trying to be positive. Encourage and reward the child for not sucking, praising them for their grown-up behavior. Parents sometimes want to tackle the habit problem too early. About half of the children who suck a digit, give the habit up spontaneously at about age three. Many of those who persist will drop the habit about age 6. Loose front teeth and peer pressure will cause many children at this age to give up the habit. If your child persists beyond the age of 6, consulting with your dentist will allow a closer evaluation and the possibility for stopping the habit by other means. What is the black stain on my child’s teeth?Black stain is a result of a combination of many things in the mouth related to saliva, bacteria and foods. Black stain on the surfaces of teeth is associated with very low decay rates. No one seems to understand this association and it has been a topic of research.Other kinds of stains also appear on the outside of teeth. Green, orange and gray stains are the most common. These stains may indicate poor hygiene and under them early signs of tooth decay may be found. Professional cleaning should remove the stain initially, and supervised periodic tooth-brushing helps control the staining. Should children’s first teeth be flossed?Dental flossing cleans between the teeth in areas that the toothbrush cannot reach. For some children, it is an important addition to the cleaning routine. Is it O.K. that my family does not drink tap water?The question simply cannot be answered with a straight “yes or no”. For various reasons, people may prefer not to drink tap water. In communities where fluoride is naturally present in the water, or
where it is added to it, it has been shown to reduce children’s dental decay by up to 50%. If you have this in your community, by not drinking tap water your family is not receiving this inexpensive and terrific preventive tool. Is it necessary to take fluoride tablets for “strong teeth”?Fluoride tablets should only be taken on recommendation or prescription from a health care provider. Does my child need a fluoride application at the dentist?A child’s risk of getting cavities is the main factor in this decision. During your dental appointment the dental team will evaluate the fluoride that your child gets through the water, the toothpaste and other sources. They will also evaluate your child’s diet, nutritional habits, and how well and frequently they floss. This information together with an examination of the child’s teeth, (their shape, closeness, and strength) as well as the gum’s condition will allow the dentist to determine if your child is at risk of getting cavities in the near future. Children who have had cavities recently are also at high risk of developing more cavities. If your child is at risk of having cavities for any of the reasons mentioned above, they will certainly benefit from the extra protection of a fluoride application during the dental appointment.Does my child need x-rays?A child’s history of tooth decay or their risk of getting cavities are the main factors in this decision. If a child has had cavities recently, or if there are no spaces between the teeth to check them directly, the dentist may recommend x-rays as frequently as every 6 months.There are other factors that may influence the decision to take x-rays. If a child has had fillings in the past, the dentist may need to x-ray to follow-up on them. Family history may be an influence, especially if other children in the family have many cavities. Most dentists today take x-rays “based on individual need”, rather than routinely. That means they examine the mouth and the child’s history, before making the x-ray decision for the individual patient. Why are primary teeth filled?When primary teeth have cavities (decay), it is recommended that they are fixed with a filling. Fillings are placed in the teeth to repair them until they fall out normally. This prevents pain from food getting lodged in the cavity, prevents the cavity from getting
larger, and allows the teeth to remain in the mouth until they fall out naturally. When teeth are not fixed, the cavity will get larger and larger until it reaches the nerve causing an infection that can produce an abscess or swelling in the face. Teeth left to decay can lead to unnecessary health problems. I am worried about my child’s visit to get teeth fixed, is there anything I can do to help?We would all like the dental visit to be a good experience. There is little point in saving the tooth and losing the child! Research tells us that anxious parents can pass their anxieties to their children. So, try to be relaxed and positive. Treat the visit as a routine part of life and health care. There are children’s books and web sites that can be used to explain procedures. These can be helpful. You may also ask friends and other family members about dental practices that are oriented toward children or about dentists who limit their practice to children. Other children in the dental office and a dental team who look forward to treating children can be a big help to the child. Why do the gums around my child’s upper teeth bleed when brushing?The most common cause for gums bleeding is gingivitis, meaning the infection and/or
swelling of the gums. This happens when plaque is left for extended periods on the gums, due to poor or insufficient brushing. Some parents and children avoid brushing the gums because they bleed. This is a mistake because it makes the problem worse. Proper gentle brushing on the gums, will remove the plaque deposits and will stop the bleeding. However, it may take 7-10 days of regular, thorough brushing to see full improvement. Does it matter that my child had a primary tooth removed?Yes, it may be a problem later on especially if back teeth are lost early. It usually is not a problem for the front teeth. Primary teeth are a specific size and occupy a certain amount of space in the jaw. If a primary tooth is removed early, the nearby teeth may drift into the space that has been created by the lost tooth. This means there will be insufficient space in the future for the permanent tooth that will replace the lost tooth. The end result is that the way the teeth bite together may be affected. If my dentist recommends fillings, should they be white or silver?Repairing teeth is a difficult job. The type of filling depends upon many things such as the size and location of the cavity, the age of the child and above all, the ability of the child to cooperate for the procedures. Some dentists prefer one type of filling material over another and some of these factors will influence their decisions. Some dentists also use pre-made silver crowns. These are used when there is a lot of tooth damage. Talk to your clinician about the choices. What is a space maintainer?A space maintainer is an appliance that protects space in the jaw that is created when a tooth is lost prematurely. There are two general types of space maintainers. Fixed space maintainers are held to the teeth by a dental cement. Removable space maintainers can be taken out and cleaned. The design of a space maintainer depends upon the teeth missing, the teeth present and the child’s tooth development.Do any teeth come in at 2 years old?Also known as second molars, 2-year molars are the set of teeth at the back of a child's mouth. These wide, flat teeth help a child grind food, speak, and smile. According to the American Dental Association, 2-year molars typically come through when a child is 23-33 months old.
What teeth should my 2 year old have?By the time they're 1 year old, most kids have between two and four teeth. Baby teeth eruption continues until about age 2 1/2, at which point most children have their full set of 20 primary teeth.
Are twoSince these molars are so large, they tend to be painful, causing symptoms such as gum irritation, irritability, and drooling in your child. This pain can cause the most well-behaved child to become irritable and difficult.
How long do 2 year old molars take to come in?As your child grows and begins to eat more types of foods, these teeth are especially helpful for chewing and digestion. Two-year molars usually arrive sometime between 23 and 33 months. Typically, the lower set will arrive fist, around 23 to 31 months, with the upper set following closely after around 25 to 33 months.
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