Q: At what age should a child be weaned from a bottle or breast-feeding?
A: We recommend that all children be weaned by one-year of age or six months within the eruption of their first tooth. Continuing to bottle or breast-feed beyond this age makes a child many more times likely to develop tooth decay, specifically a type of tooth decay known as baby bottle cavities.
Q: At what age should a child stop using a pacifier?
A: We recommend that all children stop using a pacifier by two years of age. Using the pacifier longer can cause permanent changes in tooth and jaw bone position leading to "buck" front teeth.
Q: What are some things the dentist can do to help prevent dental decay?
A: While brushing and flossing remain the cornerstone of preventing dental disease, there are several things the dentist can do for their patients to prevent dental disease. Fluoride is the main preventive agent against tooth decay. The dentist uses in-office fluoride treatments to help prevent tooth decay and may recommend prescription fluoride gels to use at home. Sealants may also be recommended for preventive care.
Q: Why do you need to fix cavities on baby teeth since they will fall out anyway?
A: Dental decay on baby teeth should be treated much the same as dental decay on permanent teeth. Baby teeth (primary teeth) have nerves and decay can cause pain, also an abscess (painful infection/puss pocket) could develop. If an abscess does develop, it can lead to defects in the permanent teeth, and in rare cases, could cause a life-threatening infection. The bacteria that causes cavities in baby teeth, can spread to permanent teeth causing cavities in them as well.
Q: What causes teeth to decay?
A: At least four things are needed to have dental decay: a tooth, decay-causing bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates, and time. With one of any of the preceding items missing, dental decay cannot occur. Any time a fermentable carbohydrate is consumed, your teeth, unless brushed clean, endure a 20 to 30 minute acid attack by the acid produced by bacteria in plaque.
Q: Do children need to floss their teeth?
A: Yes, children need to have their teeth flossed just like adults need to floss their teeth. Flossing does not need to begin until the gaps between the teeth have closed. Once the gaps between the teeth have closed the child's parent needs to floss between the teeth once per day. Flossing is the only way to clean between the teeth.