Is the taste of ice cream or a sip of a hot drink sometimes a painful experience for your child? Does tooth brushing or flossing make them wince occasionally? If so, your child may have sensitive teeth. Tooth sensitivity occurs when the layer of a tooth underneath the enamel (called the dentin) or the layer covering the root (called cementum) is exposed along the gum line due to receding gums. The exposed [...]
SHARK TEETH is a term used to describe the situation when the permanent adult teeth are coming up behind the baby teeth before they have fallen out, resulting in a double row of teeth that’s often concerning for both kids and parents. This usually occurs between the ages of 5-7 years old. Commonly seen on the lower incisors (bottom front teeth) but can also happen when the upper incisors or primary molars grow in. How [...]
Tooth brushing every day can help with removing most dental plaque, however brushing alone cannot remove plaque in places a toothbrush cannot reach, especially in between teeth. By flossing your teeth, you reduce the amount of dental plaque in between your teeth and help reduce your risk of dental decay and gum infection. Gum infection can result in gingival bleeding which is why you may notice blood when flossing your teeth. Bleeding [...]
Teething is a great milestone in your baby’s development. The arrival of teeth can happen without causing any pain. Whilst for some babies this can be an uncomfortable process and distressing for yourself and the baby. Common signs and symptoms of teething include: Excessive drooling Red and swollen gums Chewing on objects Irritability or crankiness Sore or tender gums A slight increase in temperature but no fever Here are a few [...]
Why are baby teeth so important? Although baby teeth will eventually exfoliate they serve several purposes in your child’s mouth. Baby teeth help with your child’s ability to eat, speak and of course, smile! One other very important purpose for baby teeth is that they serve as placeholders for adult teeth later on in life. If baby teeth are not well cared for, dental infections can arise; causing discomfort, pain, illness and [...]
Whether your child is wearing fixed metal braces or a removable appliance, proper cleaning of their teeth and gums is essential. So what can you be doing to make sure your child is keeping their oral health in check while they’re wearing braces? Best tips for your child Careful cleaning is required with braces, as plaque bacteria are easily trapped inside and around them. Take off elastics and any other removable parts [...]
In our lifetime, we have two sets of teeth. Baby teeth (milk teeth or deciduous teeth) are the first set of teeth to appear in your child’s early life. The second set are the adult teeth (permanent teeth). There are 20 baby teeth altogether and they begin to erupt around 6-8 months and continue to progressively erupt up to 3 years of age. Children lose their baby teeth which are replaced by adult [...]