Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the most important dental health concepts for this age group?
There are two. First, get regular checkups for your child. Even children with apparently clean teeth who don’t seem to eat much sugar often develop small cavities. Since the “nerve” in baby teeth is only two millimeters from the outside surface, the decay has often reached this critical area by the time parents see the cavity. Regular checkups keep dental work simple for the children and inexpensive for their parents. The second important thing to remember is that the six-year molars are permanent teeth. The fact is often overlooked because no baby teeth are lost with the six-year molars come through the gums. They are the first permanent teeth to erupt, the largest, and the most important of all the permanent teeth.
How often should my child have a dental checkup?
Six month checkups are best for most children, but if expense is a concern, talk to your pediatric dentist about designing a customized program. Less frequent checkups with increased parent home care can reduce your cost without sacrificing your child’s dental health. In fact, such a program can improve your child’s dental health.
What should I do about my child’s sucking habit?
At three years of age most children have already give up their pacifiers, but thumb and finger habits continue longer. The first step is to evaluate whether the habit is causing a significant problem. If the change in tooth position or in the “bite” is small, there is no need to give much attention to the habit. But if there is a crossbite, anterior open bite, or protruding incisors, we should consider a strategy to end the habit. The most effective strategies are individually designed by the pediatric dentist-parent team.
What about flossing?
If you want to buy the world’s least expensive, most effective dental insurance, floss your child’s teeth once each day. It works! If you absolutely cannot floss every day, aim for a minimum of three times a week.