Kinderzahnheilkunde (Pädodontie)

Similar to permanent teeth, deciduous teeth should be treated. If dental conditions are left untreated at this period, possible future problems are crooked teeth, developmental disorder of jaw bone and general health problems.

Similar to permanent teeth, deciduous teeth should be treated. If dental conditions are left untreated at this period, possible future problems are crooked teeth, developmental disorder of jaw bone and general health problems.

Use of tooth paste is not recommended in infants and children until 3 years of age. Use of tooth paste should be started after 3 years of age. However, the amount must not be bigger than a lentil in size, and therefore, it must not be 3 to 5 cm in length on tooth brush as we see on commercials. Any of the fluoride tooth paste can be preferred when use of tooth paste is started. The important thing is that children like the taste of tooth paste and be willing to brush teeth.

Since deciduous teeth guide eruption of permanent teeth, they must not be extracted early. Early extraction of deciduous teeth causes crooked permanent teeth and disorders in development of the jaw bone. Deciduous teeth must be kept in the mouth until permanent teeth erupt. Soft, nylon bristled tooth brushes that are appropriate for your child’s mouth size must be used. Hard bristled brushes are not suitable, as they erode teeth. Teeth cannot be brushed with an old, worn brush, just like you cannot sweep with an old broom. Brushes must be changed as soon as their bristles are worn (3 to 6 months on average).

Itching and ache are expected findings during tooth eruption. Child tries to ease those feelings by putting an object in the mouth. Therefore, susceptibility to infection increases due to exposure to more microbes and mild fever can be added to symptoms. If high fever and gingival infection (redness, edema) are noticed, you should better seek medical attention from a pediatrician.

Eruption of permanent teeth before fall of incisor deciduous teeth in front part of the lower jaw is one of common problems. After permanent teeth erupt in the mouth cavity, root formation continues and they grow. They move toward the lip due to tongue’s action in this period and this movement causes loosening and fall of deciduous teeth. If deciduous teeth do not loosen despite eruption of permanent teeth, they must be extracted. In both cases, no orthodontic problem is likely to arise unless there is a significant difference between teeth and size of the jaw.

Breast milk is a food that is rich in fat, protein and carbohydrates. It contains protective factors of body’s defense mechanism; however, tooth decays can be seen in children, who are frequently breastfed after teething period, due to lactose in breast milk. To prevent formation of cavities in this period, teeth must be wiped and cleaned with clean and damp gauze after breastfeeding at evening. There are totally 20 deciduous teeth and the primary function of those teeth is to ensure chewing and feeding. Smooth development of speech is also dependent on the presence of deciduous teeth. Deciduous teeth conserve the room they cover and guide the permanent teeth while they erupt. When deciduous teeth are extracted early, space-conserving function is eliminated. Therefore, deciduous teeth must be treated to maintain their presence in the mouth cavity until permanent teeth erupt.

Dental visits should be started when first tooth erupts, and one should have routine dental visits at semi-annual intervals. Thus, the child gets used to dental visits and cooperates in protective and preventive therapies, if required. Moreover, one would have chance of early diagnosis and treatment for a possible anomaly and/or tooth decay.

Symptoms of teething may appear 2 to 3 months before teeth erupts. Although those symptoms vary for each child, they include increased salivation, redness or cracks on skin secondary to irritation caused by chronic contact with saliva at location of jaw bone and mouth, cough, restlessness, fever, sleep disorder, unwilling to eat and itchy gums.