MOUTH CARE FOR BABIES
The recommended age for oral care by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Dental Association (ADA) and American Academy of Pedodontics (AAPD) is 1 year.
FIRST DENTAL VISIT
The first visit to the dentist should be fun and positive. Your dentist must be aware of your child’s visit. It can be very inconvenient to look at your child while you are having a dental treatment. If your child is surrounded by unnecessary fear-inducing elements such as needles, the result is usually disappointing.
The first session usually consists of introductions and explaining how to brush your child’s teeth. Sitting a child who comes to the clinic with pain and pulling his/her tooth is an invitation to a fearful adult.
BARBER TOOTH DECAY (EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES)
One of the causes of tooth decay in young children is the bottle feeding of formula sweetened with foods such as sweetened milk or biscuits.
These residues remain in the mouth overnight and cause severe tooth decay.
EMERGENCIES IN CHILDREN’S TEETH
TEETH PAIN
Is there any food residue around the aching tooth? It should be checked and brushed if there is any. Does hot or cold water cause pain in the tooth? It should be checked. Food residue between two teeth can also cause pain. For this reason, the food residue should be removed from that area with the help of dental floss. The dentist should be contacted urgently without using irritant methods such as putting aspirin or alcohol on the gum.
CUTS ON THE TONGUE, LIP AND CHEEK AS A RESULT OF A FALL
Apply ice to the injured area immediately. If there is bleeding, apply compress (pressure) to the bleeding area with a gauze. If you cannot control bleeding, go to the doctor immediately.
If you can find the tooth, wash it with saline or clean water by holding the crown part of the tooth. Have the patient spit into a cup and place the tooth in this cup and contact your doctor immediately. If it is not possible to fill the cup by spitting, place the tooth in a cup filled with milk.
Dislocation of the tooth in babies as a result of a fall; this situation usually occurs in the front teeth of babies. Since it is not possible to replace it, it does not require urgency.
FRACTURE OF A PERMANENT TOOTH AS A RESULT OF A FALL
It requires an emergency. If the fallen piece is found, it is placed in saliva or milk, just like a dislodged tooth, and the doctor is consulted. If the doctor deems it appropriate, he or she will replace the broken piece.
Fractures involving the jaw, such as a severe blow or a traffic accident, require immediate hospitalization.
FINGER SUCKING
Sucking is a natural reflex. Babies and young children often suck their fingers or pacifiers. Sucking the finger relaxes the child during the transition to sleep. During the period when permanent teeth begin to erupt, thumb sucking may disrupt the harmony of the mouth and teeth. For this reason, the child should stop sucking his/her finger when the permanent teeth start to erupt in the mouth. For this purpose, this habit should be discontinued with measures taken between the ages of 2-4.
A FEW SUGGESTIONS
You can divert the child’s attention.
You can ask your dentist for help with this.
You can wrap a sock around the thumb, apply bad-tasting nail polish.
Develop other actions for the transition to sleep, such as reading a bedtime story.
WARNING NEVER BE OPPRESSIVE
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
When is the right time for orthodontic treatment?
In cases where the occlusion of the teeth is poor or the jaws are in poor relationship, an early step reduces the need for major orthodontic treatment at a later age.
PREVENTIVE TREATMENT
Elimination of habits such as sucking the palate
Elimination of early deciduous tooth loss through space maintainers
Space constraints
Narrow jaw development (in the upper jaw)
Early eruption of the primary molar
Sleeping with mouth open due to inability to breathe through the nose (adenoid, etc.)
Advanced development of the lower jaw with preventive treatments
MIXED TOOTH PERIOD
This period covers the period from the eruption of the 6 year old teeth until the age of 12. This is the perfect period to start orthodontic treatment.
ADOLESCENT PERIOD
This is the period when the permanent teeth fully erupt and their occlusion is established. Orthodontic treatment can also be performed during this period.
