Pointers for Moms---- Some tooth related facts

These are a few common queries, which as a mom you might have if your child is teething. 

Also if you are a parent to a growing child you must know when to visit your dentist.

It's a checklist, go through the list and let me know if there is anything else I can help you all with :)

1- If your baby is having her/his milk teeth erupted then the gaps are good. There have to be gaps between teeth because milk teeth are smaller in size and when permanent teeth, which are bigger in size, will erupt they will eventually cover those spaces.

2- If your child is 7-8 or 7-9 yrs old and there is a gap between upper front 2 teeth in the center, Again! it is good and perfectly normal. This stage is called ugly duckling stage and by the time permanent canines (pointed teeth at the corner of the mouth) erupts, this space will close spontaneously.

3- Between 8-9, 8-10 yrs of age you might see that lower front teeth are crowded or you might experience "extra" or "the double teeth" as some people would call it. The reason behind this is when permanent teeth begin to erupt, they erupt behind the milk teeth and then come forward. If there is a delay in milk teeth falling and permanent tooth eruption you might experience this. Don't worry just visit your dentist. And you will be informed that whether or not the milk teeth need to be extracted.

4- If any of the milk teeth are lost before 6 yrs or it needs extraction, inquire your dentist about the need of a space maintainer. Or more appropriately visit an orthodontist just to be sure. The space maintainer is mandatory in certain conditions where you want to save the space for permanent teeth which are yet to erupt. Otherwise, space will be lost and teeth will be stuck inside the bone.

5- The age of the first ever orthodontic visit averages 8-10 yrs for a girl and 9-11 yrs for a boy. If you feel that upper teeth are behind lowers you will probably want to visit in 7-8 yrs for girl/boy both. 

(These ages are for local Pakistani population)

6- As soon as your baby turns 1 and has already started taking solids and teething just wipe the mouth of your baby with those flexible finger brushes or just with a finger, to begin with. 

7- Do not make a habit of giving your child sweetened milk or rooh afza or any juices before he/she sleeps with the bottle in the mouth. It will lead to tooth decay and all of the upper front teeth will turn black or they will decay. If the baby takes juices or any other sweetened juice, don't forget to rinse the mouth before they sleep. (this is for the babies older than 1.5yrs old)

If you face any of these situations, Don't Panic! Just visit a dentist!