Early Childhood Cavities
This severe form of tooth decay in primary, or baby teeth, is caused when juice, formula, milk, breast milk or any liquid that contains certain carbohydrates sits on teeth for a prolonged period. Bacteria in the mouth use these carbohydrates and release acids that can cause decay. This type of decay is called early childhood caries. It also is known as baby-bottle tooth decay because one cause is putting an infant to bed with a bottle containing milk, juice or other sweetened or sugary liquids. Children who are breast-fed also can develop this type of decay. To avoid decay, a bottle given to an infant for comfort should contain only water. Ideally, an infant's mouth should be cleaned after every breast- or bottle-feeding. You can wipe the infant's mouth with a damp washcloth or a toothbrush (after back teeth have emerged). Early childhood caries can develop rapidly, can be widespread, and can require extensive treatment.
Teething
Teething can be a source of concern for parents when a baby becomes uncomfortable and fussy. Here are some symptoms that commonly occur when teeth are breaking through the gum and some tips to help your child feel better.
Signs and Symptoms
· Increased drooling
· Fingers or hands in mouth more than usual
· Sucking or chewing on things more than usual
· Restlessness
· Fussiness
· Irritability
· Discomfort
Tips To Ease Teething Pain
· Give your child hard biscuits, such as zwieback biscuits, or other hard objects, such as teething rings, to chew on.
Tooth Discoloration
Introduction
Discoloration in a tooth can be either inside the tooth structure - called intrinsic discoloration - or on the outside of the tooth - called extrinsic discoloration. Extrinsic discoloration or stains often can be removed with a professional cleaning. Intrinsic discoloration often involves alterations to the tooth structure and cannot be changed. Here are some of the more common types of discoloration.
Types Of Intrinsic Discoloration
Fluorosis. Too much fluoride can cause discoloration that usually appears as white spots on or within teeth. This is may be a cosmetic problem only. Treatment may not be needed, but some techniques can improve tooth appearance.
Tetracycline Stain. The antibiotic tetracycline (sold under several brand names) can cause teeth to develop a dark, grayish discoloration. A very severe case can cause damage to teeth, but usually this is a cosmetic problem only. Treatment is not needed, but some techniques can improve tooth appearance. This will occur only during active tooth development. Therefore, this is a concern during infancy, through adolescence and for pregnant women.
Trauma. Injury to a primary tooth can cause the tooth to darken and appear discolored. A traumatized tooth should be monitored by a dentist. Treatment may be needed if the tooth is painful, infected, loose or is interfering with the development of a permanent tooth.
Extrinsic Discoloration
Stains or discoloration on the outside of the tooth, not within the tooth structure, are called extrinsic. Dark stains can be caused by the iron in multivitamins. Teeth that have not been cleaned well can appear yellowish or orange. Extrinsic stains usually can be removed by a thorough cleaning at home or a professional cleaning at your dentist's office.
Grinding
It is common for children to grind their teeth when they still have their primary, or baby, teeth. There is no evidence that this habit, called bruxism, causes any problems. Usually, it will stop by the time your child starts getting permanent teeth. If your child is still grinding his or her teeth when permanent teeth start coming in, consult the dentist.
Double Row Of Teeth
Sometimes, a permanent tooth can erupt on the tongue side of the primary tooth it is replacing. This can occur if there is not enough room in the mouth for the permanent tooth, but it also can occur during normal development. In most cases, the permanent tooth will move into the correct position on its own after the primary tooth has been lost or extracted.
Peg-Shaped Teeth
Peg-shaped teeth often are caused by a developmental disorder. The teeth may have to be covered with crowns.
