Summary: Dental health is important for children to know about at an early age, some dentists say. Children usually start brushing their teeth unsupervised around the ages of 6 or 7; however, if they have not been taught the proper ways about oral health they may not be taking good care of their dental health.
Taking your child to visit the dentist early could help them prepare for when they start taking care of their teeth on their own. Dr. Jennifer Creem of Core Pediatric Dentistry states that children should learn about dental health as early as the age of 1. As children get older their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in; to make sure that children take extra good care of their adult, permanent, teeth dentists recommend taking them to the dentist for a oral health learning visit. This will help them as they grow older and could save them their dental health.
Original Article: Brace yourself for a life of good oral health
PORTSMOUTH — It really is true that teaching children good habits when it comes to taking care of their teeth can result in a lifetime of good oral health and a beautiful smile.
It begins early.
Dr. Jennifer Creem of Core Pediatric Dentistry in Exeter said they recommend children begin learning about proper dental care and cavity prevention when they are 1.
“The job of baby teeth is to hold the space for adult teeth,” Creem said. “When we see them, we evaluate the growth and development. As they grow up, we are looking at the teeth and the facial profile. We are looking at how the jaw comes together.”
Caring for baby teeth means teaching them how to brush. With very young children, Creem said, they teach the parents how to brush their child’s teeth.
“Children can start brushing their own teeth, with supervision, when they are 6 or 7,” Creem said. “We recommend a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Brush twice a day and we teach them to use floss and fluoride rinses. We use sealants on the molars to prevent decay.”
Diet is important in good teeth health.
“We talk about the frequency of sugar on the teeth,” Creem said. “In between meals, we recommend kids drink water instead of sweetened beverages because the longer sugar sits on the teeth the greater the risk for damage.”
Eventually baby teeth fall out to make room for adult, or permanent, teeth. The problem is that often the new, larger teeth do not grow in at the right angle. They can be crooked, rotated, twisted or they can overlap.
Some mouths are too small and the new teeth are crowded. Sometimes the upper and lower jaws are not the same size, which can result in an underbite or an overbite, also called a malocclusion. Creem said often these problems can be identified in children as young as 6 or 7 years old.
“All permanent teeth are usually in by the time a child is 12,” Creem said. “Unless the mouth problems are severe, we usually wait until then to address it. If they need intervention sooner there are steps that can be taken earlier.”
Dr. Brad Watterworth, a board-certified orthodontist in Portsmouth, advises that all children, by age 6 or 7, be screened by an orthodontist, in order to pre-emptively address some issues.
“It’s best to make a long-range plan earlier than later,” Watterworth said. “Problems can arise that need to be corrected early, like cross bites or severe crowding. Some problems can wait until they are 10 to 13, but others should be addressed right away, to make less problems when it comes time for orthodontics.”
Eventually, some children require braces. The determination is made by taking X-rays and through a clinical exam, Watterworth said.
“Many children will have missing teeth or extra teeth,” he said. “In some cases, teeth may need to be removed to make room. In the case of missing teeth, or gaps, orthodontia or implants can sometimes help close the spaces. The combinations are endless so the child really needs to be seen as early as possible. An experienced orthodontist can see developmental problems that might not be otherwise apparent through normal dental exams.”
Today’s kids have a wide variety of choices when it comes to braces. They can be metal, clear or ceramic. They come in myriad colors so children today do not look at braces as the stigma they were in their parents’ age.
“Invisalign braces have been recommended more for older people,” Creem said. “There is now Invisalign Teen, but I still would not recommend them for very young children.”
Watterworth agreed that Invisalign is usually not appropriate for young children.
“The results are not as predictable and the amount of cooperation needed make it expensive,” he said. “The best choice are small metal braces. They are more durable and easier to keep clean.”
Depending on the mouth issue, braces are usually worn anywhere from six months to two years. Once the braces are removed, retainers are used to assure the teeth do not revert back to their original locations and that they continue settling into their corrected positions. Retainers are usually worn for a few months to a year or more.
Insurance, if there is an orthodontic rider, can help defray some of the cost.
“However, the rate is usually $1,000 to $2,000 per person, per lifetime,” Watterworth said. “That’s the same amount as when I started 30 years ago. Back then it was something, but the insurance has not kept up with the cost. An average price is $5,000 to $5,500 now.”
Because of this, some orthodontists do have payment plans. And Watterworth said most do not charge at all for the initial screening visit.
In order to assure a healthy start, Creem said children should see their dentist at least twice a year, even if no problems are found.
Source: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20140817-LIFE-408170317
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