The month of February has been recognized as “Children’s Oral Health Month”. As such, we thought it timely to post a list of commonly asked questions and their answers, regarding children’s oral health.

If you have further questions regarding your children’s oral health please schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you do not have a dentist, consider scheduling an appointment with us at New Hanover Community Health Center at 910-343-0270.

The following has been reproduced with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry, February 2004.

Children’s Oral Health

At what age are my children supposed to see a dentist?

The general rule is six months after eruption of the first tooth. Some children require a bit more time to be comfortable. If an area of concern is noticed, then the child should see a dentist as soon as possible.

Why is it important to fix baby teeth that have decay? Aren’t they going to come out soon anyway?

It is very important to maintain the baby teeth because these teeth hold space for the future eruption of permanent teeth. If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment. Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits and weaker teeth.

When will my child lose his/her baby teeth?

Children will begin losing their teeth at approximately age 4. They will usually lose their front teeth first. Children will continue to lose baby teeth until the age of 12 or 13 when all permanent teeth finally erupt.

When does thumb-sucking become damaging to the teeth?

Generally, if the child has stopped sucking his/her thumb by the age of 5 there is no permanent damage. If the child is a vigorous and constant thumb-sucker, however, there can be moderate to severe movement of teeth and prevention of normal bone growth.

Should my child wear a mouthguard while playing sports?

It is strongly recommended that children wear a mouthguard while playing any contact sport. It is always better to prevent an injury than to repair one. The earlier a child begins to wear the mouthguard, the easier it is to become comfortable and continue to wear as they get older.

What should I do if my child gets a tooth knocked out?

If the tooth is a permanent tooth, time is extremely crucial. Immediately stick the tooth back in the socket. Don’t worry about getting it straight or having it turned backwards, just get it in the socket and immediately call your dentist. If you are uncomfortable placing the tooth in the socket, put it in a glass of milk and get your child to the dentist as quickly as possible. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because damage to the permanent tooth can occur. When in doubt, put the tooth in milk and see your dentist immediately.