Children's Oral Health

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• QHow can I prevent my baby's tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?

  8 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  You can prevent your baby from developing tooth decay by developing an oral hygiene routine within the first few days after birth.  
  
  Begin by cleaning the baby's mouth after every breast or bottle feeding. Do this by wiping the baby's gums with a clean gauze pad. This removes plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) and residual food that can harm erupting teeth. As soon as teeth appear in the mouth, tooth decay can occur. Therefore, when your child's teeth begin to erupt, brush them gently with a child's size toothbrush and water. Brush the teeth of children over age two with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Be sure they spit out the toothpaste and rinse with water. (Ask your child's dentist or physician if you are considering using fluoride toothpaste before age two.) 
  
  Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottle before going to bed. Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles; avoid putting sugary beverages such as juice or soda in bottles. It’s also important that caregivers take care of their own oral hygiene and avoid sharing saliva with the baby through common use of feeding spoons or licking pacifiers before giving them to babies.

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• QDoes ageusia affect children differently than adults?

  2 Answers

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  A RealAge answered

  Ageusia means losing your sense of taste. Although the symptom is the same no matter what your age, the causes of ageusia may be different in children than in adults. In older people, medications or conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease may damage the nerves that transmit taste signals to the brain. In children, infection or injury to the taste buds may be to blame. Although the condition is rare, ageusia is potentially dangerous, since it impairs a person's ability to detect that food has spoiled. 
  

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• QAre children at risk for burning mouth syndrome?

  3 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Burning mouth syndrome rarely manifests before the age of 30. It is typically more common in women during menopause. Children are not at risk for this problem.

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• QCan homeopathy ease my baby's teething pain?

  2 Answers

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  A RealAge answered

  Homeopathic remedies may help ease your baby's teething pain, although the evidence for their effectiveness is thin. Homeopathic practitioners usually recommend pulsatilla and chamomilla. Avoid products that contain belladonna, which is toxic.

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• QHow do I care for a child with teeth grinding (bruxism)?

  3 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Bruxism, or teeth grinding, often happens as we sleep. It can be caused not just by stress and anxiety but by sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or teeth that are missing or crooked. Dentists can fit children with mouth guards, to protect their teeth while they are sleeping. Exercises may also help to reduce tension.

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• QWhen should I schedule my child's first dentist appointment?

  9 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  The ADA recommends that parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday and then at intervals recommended by their dentist.

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• QHow are children treated for bad breath (halitosis)?

  5 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath in children. Be sure to schedule regular dental visits for your child and take care to make sure he or she is brushing and flossing regularly. If you think your child has constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods he eats and make a list of medications. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.

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• QDo oral health problems affect children differently than adults?

  3 Answers

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  A American Dental Association answered

  Oral health problems can affect children differently. As children’s mouths, gums and teeth are still developing, oral health problems can have a greater and longer lasting impact. Baby teeth set the foundation for adult teeth. In fact oral health related illnesses result in 51 million missed hours of school each year. 

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• QDoes dry mouth affect children differently than adults?

  2 Answers

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  A RealAge answered

  Dry mouth affects children and adults in similar ways. However, dry mouth is more likely to occur in adults and is rare in children. In both children and in adults, dry mouth can cause difficulties in tasting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking. Dry mouth can increase the risk of cavities in the teeth or mouth infections in both children and adults.

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• QDoes Hunter's glossitis affect children differently than adults?

  2 Answers

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  A RealAge answered

  Hunter's glossitis, which causes the tongue to swell, can affect both children and adults. It's usually caused by a condition called pernicious anemia. This anemia can develop from malnourishment or an autoimmune disorder that blocks vitamin B12. A lack of B12 causes the tongue to swell and become painful. Unlike common glossitis, Hunter's glossitis is not usually caused by infection, trauma, tobacco, or allergies.
  
  If you suspect that your child may have Hunter's glossitis, contact. your pediatrician.

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