Oak Point Pediatric Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry - General Topics

General Topics

The importance of primary teeth

Maintaining the health of the primary teeth is crucial. Neglected cavities can and often do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary, or baby, teeth are important for:

  1. chewing and eating properly;
  2. providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position; and
  3. permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.

Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front four teeth last until age 6 or 7, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) stay intact until age 10 to 13.


Formation of your child's teeth

Children's teeth start forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first primary (or baby) teeth erupt through the gums. These are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. By age 3, all 20 primary teeth have usually appeared, though the pace and order of their eruption varies.

Your child's permanent teeth will make an appearance around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21.



Dental emergencies

Dental radiographs (x-rays)

Radiographs (x-rays) are vital and necessary to your child's dental diagnostic process, and allow your dentist to detect much more than cavities. Radiographs help Dr. Nichols survey and treat health conditions that can't be detected during a clinical examination such as: erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. Finding and treating them early makes dental care more comfortable for your child and more affordable for you.

Most pediatric dentists request radiographs approximately once a year. For children with a high risk of tooth decay, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months. Approximately every three years, it's a good idea to obtain a complete set of radiographs, either a panoramic and bitewings, or periapicals and bitewings.

Pediatric dentists are particularly careful to minimize their patients' exposure to radiation. With contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examination is extremely small, and the risk is negligible. In fact, the risk of an x-ray is far smaller than an undetected and untreated dental problem. Lead body aprons and shields protect your child. Today's equipment filters out unnecessary x-rays and restricts the x-ray beam to the area of interest. High-speed film and proper shielding assure a minimal amount of radiation exposure.


The best toothpaste for children

Tooth brushing is one of the most important tasks for good oral health. Many toothpastes, and/or tooth polishes, however, contain damaging harsh abrasives that may wear away young tooth enamel. When choosing toothpaste for your child, look on the box/tube for a recommendation from the American Dental Association, which signifies that these toothpastes have undergone testing to insure safety.

If your child is younger than 2, make sure they spit out toothpaste after brushing to avoid an excess of fluoride. Ingesting too much fluoride can cause a condition known as fluorosis. If your child is too young or unable to spit out toothpaste, he can brush without toothpaste, with just a "pea-sized" amount, or using fluoride-free toothpaste.


Nightly teeth-grinding (bruxism)

Parents are often concerned about their child's nocturnal grinding of teeth, which is called bruxism. You might notice wear (teeth getting shorter) to the dentition. There are many theories about the causes of bruxism. Stress due to a new environment, divorce, changes at school, and other psychological factors can influence your child to grind their teeth. Another cause could be pressure in the inner ear or due to normal growth and development.

Most cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment. If there is excessive wear of the teeth (attrition), Dr. Nichols will discuss restoration options with you.

Thankfully, most children outgrow bruxism, decreasing their grinding about age 6 to 9, and stopping around age 9 to 12. If you suspect bruxism, discuss this with your pediatrician or Dr. Nichols. If bruxism continues into the permanent dentition and abnormal wear on permanent teeth is evident, Dr. Nichols might recommend a night guard or refer to an orthodontist for an evaluation.


Sucking is a natural reflex; infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects. Sucking may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security. Since thumb-sucking is relaxing, it may also help them sleep.

Thumb-sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth, as well as tooth alignment. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.

Children should cease thumb-sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, they stop between the ages of 2 and 4. Many school-aged children stop due to peer pressure.

Pacifiers are not a substitute for thumb-sucking. They can affect the teeth in a similar way as sucking fingers and thumbs. A pacifier, however, is easier to control and modify than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb-sucking or use of a pacifier, consult Dr. Nichols.

A few suggestions to help your child get through thumb-sucking:

Pulp therapy


Dental cavities and traumatic injury are the main reasons for a tooth to require pulp therapy. Pulp therapy is often referred to as a nerve treatment, root canal, pulpectomy or pulpotomy. The two common forms of pulp therapy in children's teeth are the pulpotomy and pulpectomy.

A pulpotomy removes the diseased pulp tissue within the crown portion of the tooth. Next, an agent is placed to prevent bacterial growth and to calm the remaining nerve tissue. Last is a final restoration, usually a stainless steel crown.

A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). This treatment completely removes the diseased pulp tissue from both the crown and root. The canals are cleansed, disinfected and, in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material. Last is a final restoration in which the permanent tooth is filled with a non-resorbing material.

The best age for orthodontic treatment

Dr. Nichols can recognize developing malocclusions, or bad bites, in a child as early as 2 to 3 years of age. Often, early action can reduce the need for major orthodontic treatment later.

Stage I - Early treatment, ages 2 to 6 years old. At this young age, we are concerned with underdeveloped dental arches, the premature loss of primary teeth, and harmful habits such as finger- or thumb-sucking. Treatment initiated at this stage of development is often very successful and can eliminate the need for future orthodontic/orthopedic treatment.
Stage II - Mixed dentition, ages 6 to 12 years old, with the eruption of the permanent incisor (front) teeth and six-year molars. Treatment concerns at this state involve jaw malrelationships and dental realignment problems. This is an excellent time to start treatment, since a child's hard and soft tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage III - Adolescent dentition. This stage deals with the permanent teeth and the development of the final bite relationship.