Diastema: Tooth Gap in Kids - Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

Diastema refers to a gap between two teeth. It often appears between the two upper front teeth, but sppaces may happen on any two teeth.

What Causes Diastema?

Tooth gaps occur for various reasons.

There may be a mismatch between the size of the teeth and the jaw bone, causing crowding of the teeth or more space between the teeth. Gaps may also occur when the teeth are too tiny for the jaw bone. In some cases, a tooth may be missing or just too small. This often occur with the teeth next to the upper front teeth called upper lateral incisors.

Certain habits may lead to space between teeth. Having improper swallowing reflex is one. Most people press their tongue against the palate (the roof of the mouth) when swallowing. However, some children have a unique reflex called tongue thrust (reverse swallow) – when the tongue presses against the front teeth, pushing the front teeth and creating pressure. This can cause diastema.

Thumb sucking is another habit that can create gaps.

Kids often have temporary teeth spaces once the baby teeth begins to fall out. However, these gaps resolves on their own when all permanent teeth erupts and reach their exact positions.

What are the Symptoms of Diastema?

If a tooth gap occurs due to mismatch between the jaw and the teeth, there will be no symptoms. But if it is caused by a periodontal disease or by a tongue thrust habit, the gap will expand over time. Pain may occur during biting or chewing and the teeth may get loose.

How to Prevent Tooth Gap in Kids?

Unfortunately, not all diastema can be prevented. One example is when a child has a mismatch of jaw size and teeth or if he/she has a missing tooth.

Breaking the habit of tongue thrusting can prevent diastema. You can correct you child’s swallow reflex by exercising their tongue, pressing it against the palate.

Preventing periodontal disease through regular brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth spaces.

How to Correct or Treat Diastema in Kids?

Some kids can get braces to simply move the two teeth together. When there’s an existing diastema, a child needs to wear a complete set of braces – both for lower and upper teeth. The reason is because closing any tooth gap can affect the whole mouth.

Another way to fix diastema is to widen a too small teeth with veneers, crowns or bonding. For missing teeth, a bridge, partial denture or a dental implant may be needed.

If your chid has a gap between teeth, talk to your pediatric dentist Bellevue. She can determine the cause for the gap and may advise treatment with braces.

What are the Do’s and Don’ts When Using a Pacifier?

Sucking is a normal part of babies’ development. It is a natural reflex that they develop even before they are born. In fact, sucking provides them the comfort even after a child stops drinking milk from breast or bottle. Many children find pleasure by sucking their fingers or pacifier. On one hand, parent wonder if this habit can lead to problems on their child’s mouth or teeth.

Are Pacifiers Bad for Your Child’s Dental Health?

During a child’s first years, your child’s sucking habits probably won’t harm his/her mouth. However, frequent and long-term sucking can lead to problems, especially true if it continues after the milk teeth begins to fall out.

Some of the problems include:

• Top front teeth slanting out
• Bottom front teeth tilting in
• Misalignment of upper and lower jaws
• Roof of the mouth may become narrow side to side

Do’s and Don’ts of Using Pacifier

Below are some tips on how to use pacifier (1).

• Do purchase products that are made in one piece. It should not be composed of parts that may break off and might be swallowed.
• Do not try to calm a crying baby by dipping the pacifier in sugar water or any sweets. This will only increase the risk of developing tooth decay.
• Do not tie a pacifier on a necklace or string around the neck of your child. He could accidentally be strangled.
• Do encourage older children to give up using pacifier.
• Don’t use pacifier when the infant is falling asleep. He might be too dependent on the pacifier and may not learn how to sleep on their own.
• Do choose a pacifier with ventilation holes as it allow air passage. This feature is important in cases where the pacifier accidentally becomes lodged in your baby’s throat.
• Do replace pacifier every two to three months even if you cannot see any wear and tear.
• Don’t use pacifier when nipple changes color or become cracked, sticky or torn
• Do clean the pacifier before putting it in your child’s mouth. It can transmit germs that may risk your child of illness or cavities.

Thumb and pacifier sucking habits can become a problem if they continue for a very long period of time. Most kids discontinue use on their own, but if they continue past the age of three, your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance.

Also, your children should learn to do proper brushing and flossing of their teeth. In addition, it is important to visit a children’s dentist to have their teeth and gums checked.  Dental check-up every six month is advised to prevent carries and other dental problems.

Mint Kids Dentistry’s top priority is bringing children and adolescents on the right path to dental health and proper oral hygiene. Dr. Soo Jun believes that early education will prepare kids to a lifetime of optimal dental health. Hence, she educates the importance of routine dental checkups and proper oral care.

Schedule an appointment as http://www.mintkidsdentistry.com/.

Why is Fluoride Important for Your Kid’s Dental Health?

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine, a naturally-occurring substance. When combined with other elements like sodium, fluoride ions form a compound called sodium fluoride, which is the active ingredient in many toothpaste.

Fluoride works in many ways to prevent tooth cavities and decay. For children, it is important for tooth development because fluoride combines into the crystals forming the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of the teeth. Development of the enamel happens in children up to the age of 8, when the teeth is growing under the gums. Fluoride in the enamel makes the teeth resistant to demineralization.

How Does Fluoride Protect Your Child’s Dental Health?

Fluoride has many caries-protective actions. When applied topically, it has been found that low levels of fluoride in saliva and plaque prevent demineralization of tooth enamel and boost enamel by replacing nutrients. Fluoride also prevents development of dental cavities by inhibiting the activity of cariogenic bacteria – the specific bacteria that causes caries.

Certain types of bacteria in our oral cavity break down the carbs we eat and along the process, they produce acid which causes lowering of pH in the mouth. When this happens, the enamels begins to break down and release minerals such as phosphate, calcium and fluoride (this is called demineralization).

If there is sufficient fluoride available on the teeth’s surface, it will alleviate the process before tooth decay occurs. In fact, it can remineralize tiny areas affected by decay. Such cycles of remineralisation and demineralization continue all throughout the life of a healthy tooth.

Aside from tooth remineralisation and remodelling, fluoride also protects the teeth with its direct antibacterial effect. When fluoride ions enters the bacterial cells, they inhibit the enzyme responsible for the production of acid.

On the other hand, high levels of fluoride, particularly those applied as varnishes or topical gels, provide a temporary covering of calcium fluoride-like element on the surface of the enamel.

Fluoride that is swallowed, such in the case of dietary supplements and fluoridated water, may provide benefits on erupted teeth. Fluoride supplementation is effective in lowering prevalence of caries and must be considered for kids who are at high risk of dental caries because of drinking fluoride-deficient water.

 How Much Fluoride Do Kids Need?

The amount of fluoride will be based on the child’s age. Sufficient levels of ingested fluoride are usually obtained through dietary sources, particularly if the child is living in a place with fluoridated water. However, children below the age of 2 must not receive any form of topical fluoride as they have the tendency to swallow them.

Between the ages of 2 and 6, children must use toothpaste that contains children’s strength amount of fluoride. Brushing must also be supervised by the parents to make sure they will only use a pea-size amount and then spit it out when finished.

Brushing twice a day is important. It will not only get rid of dental plaque, it will also make sure that the teeth are protected to fluoride. Topical fluoride sources such as gels, rinses and varnishes but be sure to consult your pediatric dentist first to know if these are suitable for your child.

Why Parents Should Understand Preventive Dental Care to Their Kids

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For children, dental health is as important as general health. As parents, understanding that your kid’s teeth, even their baby teeth, require utmost care is the first crucial step. Parents should know what dental care is proper and timely to make sure their children maintain a healthy mouth.

 

What is Preventative Dentistry?

Preventative dentistry refers to the process of maintaining oral health in order to prevent disease. For kids, this includes:

• A healthy, balanced diet

• Brushing and flossing

• Routine visit to a dentist for children

• Oral health education

• Flouride dental visits

• Protection against dental injuries

• Checking risk for developing cavities

• Managing oral habits

• Guiding an erupting teeth

A pediatric dentist can provide these measures, in addition to routine dental check-up that require parental assistance.

In a report published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the incidence of dental caries has been lowering in the US, primarily because of better prevention, patient attitude towards tooth preservation and improvements in dental treatment technique.

The Role of Parents in Preventive Dentistry

We know that oral health can influence overall health. Oral problems can affect a child’s speaking, eating and other daily activities. Children suffering from tooth pain may not be able to concentrate on their studies. Moreover, a healthy smile looks more attractive, and it can positively affect a child’s confidence level. And the most important – preventive dentistry results in less expensive and less extensive dental care.

As parents, you must strive to be the best role model for your kids. You need to reinforce proper oral hygiene habits such as flossing and brushing at home. But the most important influence would coming from you seeing your own good habits. Demonstrate how vital your kid’s teeth are to their health and lead by example.

How to Prevent Childhood Cavities

The American Dental Association defines early childhood caries as the presence of one of more missing, filled or decayed tooth surface in a baby or primary tooth. Dental caries is an infection disease that should be controlled through prevention.

Your child’s first visit to a pediatric dental office must take place within six months after the first tooth appears. The baby’s mouth will be assessed for any abnormalities or decay. In addition, you will get instruction on how to maintain proper dental hygiene to prevent further oral bacteria in the oral cavity.

You will also learn how to ‘brush’ your baby’s teeth, either by using a specialized brush intended for infants or by wiping them with a cloth. Parents will also learn to limit intake of milk, juice and other fermentable carbohydrates as sugar liquids are often the cause of tooth cavities among children.

Visiting a pediatric dentist Bellevue will involve a thorough cleaning and examination, review proper nutrition, fluoride treatments, fissure sealants on molars and make recommendation on the use of mouth guards to protect your child’s teeth when playing sports. Visit your pediatric dentist today to ensure your child gets the best outcome in terms of dental health.