Your toddler should have seen the dentist at least once by the time they were a year old. As they get older, their dental needs change, and your family dentist is there to assist them in keeping their oral health in the best condition possible. Here are four things you should ask your family dentist about your toddler's teeth so you can keep their teeth in better condition throughout their life.
When can you floss their teeth?
You should floss regularly, and your toddler should as well. What you need to ask your dentist is this: when and how should you floss your toddler's teeth? Your toddler's teeth are susceptible to tooth decay and bacteria just like yours are, so get input from your family dentist about flossing your toddler's young teeth. Your family dentist may even give your toddler a special flossing tool to clean their teeth with.
When should they have all of their teeth?
Your toddler should ideally have a full set of teeth by the time they hit nearly three years of age. If your toddler has most of their teeth but not all and they're approaching an older age, or if you're worried about the progression of your toddler's tooth eruption, speak to the family dentist. They can give you a chart to help you track your toddler's oral health progress.
What does a cavity looks like?
Being able to identify the beginnings of a cavity in your toddler's young smile is a good thing—it means you'll be able to address their oral health needs with their family dentist as soon as a problem erupts. A cavity in a young tooth can look like a small dot of discoloration of a slightly gray to a brown or even darker color, and can be found along the gum line or in the center of a back tooth. Your toddler may favor a tooth with discoloration or experience gum sensitivity around a tooth that is in need of dental care.
What are the cavity treatment options?
If your toddler is discovered to have a cavity or other signs of oral health issues, you should ask their family dentist whether the tooth affected should be pulled, filled, or left alone. A non-permanent tooth can be treated in a variety of ways, and often is filled to help prevent discomfort and the spread of cavities in the future. If your child is found to have multiple cavities, your family dentist may recommend more extensive dental treatments to protect their affected teeth.
For more information on how to help your toddler maintain their oral health, talk to your family dentist.
Share25 June 2020
Do you care for your teeth like you should? Most people brush their teeth, but so many people rush through this process and are not as careful as they should be. Still others avoid flossing. A lack of dental care over the years can lead to increased decay. Thankfully, we have dentists who can treat decay with fillings, crowns, and in some cases, root canals. Dentists also provide preventative care. They can clean your teeth and use things like fluoride treatments to strengthen your enamel. The more you know about dental care, the better you'll be able to care for your mouth, so feel free to read some of the articles on this website.