6 reasons your child's baby teeth are more important than you think

Parents of young children often forget to take care of baby teeth. They are so busy with the baby, they don't realize that baby's first set of teeth can affect their child's future dental health and how much it will cost them in the long run! It is crucial for parents to focus on taking care of baby teeth as soon as possible. 

I'm often asked, "are baby teeth really that important?" 

This question might seem like a simple one to answer and many people will say "No." But the truth is baby teeth have an impact on children's development in life and should not be taken for granted. 

Children need healthy baby teeth so their long-term oral health can develop well too. Here are six reasons why your child's baby teeth should matter more than you think!

What Role Do Baby Teeth Play?

Baby teeth play a key role in your baby's development. They help children learn how to speak and even eat properly! That is why it is important for parents to take care of baby teeth as soon as possible, so that the baby can reap all the benefits they offer.

Unbeknownst to most parents baby teeth are not just a painful foundational event in their child's life.  They are actually more important than you think.

Baby teeth are essential for your baby to be able to chew and break food down into small pieces so that they can swallow properly. They also help children learn how to speak in the process of chewing, especially when it comes time for baby's first words! 

Do baby teeth affect the health of permanent teeth?

Absolutely! In fact as dentists we can quite accurately predict a child's dental health and outlook in adulthood by looking at their baby teeth.  Having teeth that a baby can chew with is important because they are forming these shapes and patterns that will carry on into adulthood.

Having healthy baby teeth means a child's long-term dental health is much more likely to be healthy if their baby teeth aren't decaying or don't have any other issues. 

Alignment and position of adult teeth...

...are all determined by baby teeth - it's the baby teeth that lay down foundations for what will happen in adulthood.

Consider this: your child may have a good number of baby teeth missing even before they get their adult set! This is because baby life changes so quickly, and children are continually shedding baby teeth to make room for new ones as they grow. 

Poor oral health as a baby affects more than just how healthy someone looks; it can also affect a person's quality of life and sense of well-being. 

Proper health and nutrition

I often see parents complaining about a child being a "bad eater" or a "fussy eater". The truth is that these issues are often caused by baby teeth that are impacted and misshapen or baby teeth with decay, as well as digestive issues from not being able to chew properly. 

Between the ages of about six months to three years, a baby's first set of teeth will start coming in - this is a time when parents can influence their children's oral health. But if there is poor diet and no brushing because there aren't any baby teeth yet for chewing food, then these early foundations may be weaker than necessary. 

Bad eating habits during those times may also have an impact on long term dental care options such as extractions and braces - all of which make parents anxious and stressed because they result in pain for the child and and added expense for the parent. 

In later life, impacted tooth enamel could also lead to high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Baby teeth affect speech development

If baby teeth are missing or malformed, then a child's articulation could be impaired because they cannot pronounce certain sounds correctly during speech therapy.

Unfortunately, parents of children with speech difficulties rarely pay enough attention to their child's dental health as a contributing factor. 

But studies have shown that baby teeth affect speech development and children who have baby teeth that are missing or malformed can suffer from difficulties in articulating certain sounds.

Concentration and self-esteem

Have you ever seen an adult hide their smile by putting their hand in front of their face? Children are no different. They are also conscious of their shape of their teeth, maybe even more so than adults.

Baby teeth affect children at different stages in their development than adults because kids tend to be more conscious about how their teeth look; this may lead to emotional insecurity as well as social anxiety issues. 

This also isn't just a question of looks or aesthetics. Crooked baby teeth may cause jaw pain that could persist for life, resulting in debilitating headaches and migraines, locked jaws, stiff necks and even back pain. 

It's not hard to imagine that a child who is constantly trying to hide a crooked smile will not brimming with self-esteem and as a result their concentration at school or other extra-curricular activities may also suffer. 

Baby teeth affect the development of facial bones and muscles

Because they have a big impact on the baby's tongue, palate, jaw and even breathing.

The good news is that the younger a child is when their malformed baby teeth are removed or filled with dental sealant, the more likely it will be that all of these systems start to develop normally.

Crooked baby teeth can cause long term physical problems like pain in muscles and joints which might result in many of the ailments I've described above. 

What happens when baby tooth decay becomes an issue?

In many cases, the baby tooth may need to be removed in order for permanent teeth to grow in properly, which isn't always easy! 

Sometimes children under the age of five also need surgery due to tooth decay too since it often affects multiple areas of their mouth at once. 

We do our best here at Heidelberg Dentist so parents know what's happening with their kids' mouths as well as how to look after them at home.

How should I look after my child's baby teeth?

There are a few simple steps that parents can take to ensure baby teeth stay healthy, such as:

• Ensuring your child brushes their baby teeth twice daily.
• Checking for signs of tooth decay and treating it quickly if there is any concern. 
• Never dipping baby pacifiers in sugar or honey since this increases the risk of tooth decay. 

We also recommend seeing our dentist at Heidelberg Dentist regularly so we can monitor progress and catch anything before it starts! 

We want you to be confident that your baby's mouth will remain strong and bright throughout life – contact us today with any questions or concerns about caring for your child's baby teeth.

Children's Dentistry Options

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How dentists can offer solutions to your child's bed-wetting

Bed wetting is quite a common occurrence amongst young children, however bed wetting is concerning after the age of 5 years, not only socially, as it can be an embarrassing occurrence for children to go through, but it also is an indication and sign of breathing disturbances during sleep.

Recent studies show that there are numerous links between bed wetting and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA). These studies also highlight that children with OSA often have a high palate, a more vertical facial growth pattern and nasal obstruction.

Does sleep apnoea in children lead to bed-wetting?

Yes. There is very strong evidence to suggest that your child's bed-wetting could be a symptom of poor sleep health.

When there are changes in obstructed breathing, this causes the blood pressure changes in the abdomen, hindering the bladder’s capacity to hold urine. The increased stress in blood pressure also leads to the release of hormones and sodium ions that increases urine production and excretion.

How do I get my kid to stop wetting the bed?

You're reading this because you've probably already tried encouraging your child; scheduling toilet breaks; shifting drinking times; and likely many other tactics. Right now you might even be running out of clean bedsheets to put on your child's bed.

Don't worry. There is a more scientific approach to helping your to stop wetting the bed.

Because we already know that poor sleep habits can lead to bed-wetting in children, let's work out whether your child's bed-wetting is a result of some form of sleep apnoea.

Now, the obvious question is how can you tell if your child is getting poor quality sleep? Apart from bed-wetting, look for these symptoms when your child sleeps:

• Snoring, even if it's no very loud
• Difficulty breathing at night
• Breathing with their mouth open

If your child shows these symptoms, our gentle and patient children's dentists may be able to help.

Solutions like removal of adenoids and tonsils as well as palate expansion have proven to show great outcomes in reducing bed-wetting and better sleep quality.

A widened palate can also reduce resistance to airflow, and improve breathing outcomes in children. Due to new digital technology, this widening can be achieved with new techniques such as Myofunctional therapy or Myobrace, as it's commonly known. 

Myobrace is also proven to be quite effective as opposed to conventional surgery and orthodontic treatment, whilst addressing the critical long term solution to airway obstruction and disruptions to sleep.

Bed-wetting can be difficult to deal with for both you and your child. It is important for you to understand that this is a common first line sign of OSA. 

If left untreated in childhood, OSA can is proven to lead to cognitive development issues, concentration problems and an impaired overall quality of life.

Our gentle and patient gentle and patient children's dentists will be able to discuss the options with you and help you choose an option that helps your child stop wetting the bed and enjoy a more fulfilling life, but also fits your budget. 

Kids' Myobrace Treatment

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

These are your 4 options to replace missing teeth or gaps in your smile

You essentially have four options to fix or replace your missing tooth/teeth:

1. Do nothing! In some instances, it may be appropriate to leave the gap and not do any treatment. For example, if you have a lost one tooth but have all your other molars present. Especially if its not going to present an aesthetic concern. However, it is important to bear in mind that adjacent and opposing teeth are likely to shift over time; this means that the opposite side starts to take more of the chewing load which can lead to breakages, it is up to the individual and the dentist to predict the extent and impact of this as the age and health of a patient can determine the best outcome.
2. A removable denture: this is essentially a set of false teeth (or tooth) that u take out every night. It can be be a good option if you are missing multiple teeth and/or want a cost effective option. It can also serve as a temporary or interim option until a definitive treatment is finalised. 
3. A bridge: this is a fixed option and may be suitable for a single and or few adjacent missing teeth. Essentially, there are crowns placed on teeth on either side of the gap and ‘false’ tooth/teeth attached to these that sit in the gap.
4. Implant: this involves surgically placing a screw in the jawbone below where the gap is, and screwing a false tooth onto it to sit in the gap. It is a popular, and often most ideal, option as it is fixed (meaning you don’t remove it routinely), generally easy to clean and maintain and, in the absence of risk factors (see your Dentist for more information) has a very good prognosis. However, it is also the most expensive.

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Is it actually important to look after your kids teeth?

This is a question that we get asked all the time ‘why look after kids teeth when they are going to fall out anyway?’. "Do we have to treat it? It's going to fall out"

There are a few very important reasons why it’s absolutely essential to look after kids teeth:

Does baby teeth health determine the health of a child's future adult teeth?

Yes, it does! If someone has a lot of decay in their baby teeth, they are more than likely to get issues with their adult teeth as well. This is due to their being a variety of factors that cause decay, and if the cause isn't dealt with early it continues on with the adult teeth. The baby teeth also help shape the face, and guide the positioning of the adult teeth.

Sets up positive dental habits in kids for life

It is essential to establish oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice daily and flossing, early on in life. 

Similarly, it’s vital to educate children about the negative effects of sugar and acids on teeth, and the importance of regular dental checkups. 

This helps to make sure that these values and habits carry on into adulthood, hence greatly helping to protect the adult teeth. 

Being careless with oral hygiene and diet and/or infrequent dental checkups during childhood often results in neglected adult teeth and a lifetime of dental problems.

Help your kids avoid toothaches & negative dental experiences

When a primary tooth (especially a primary molar) gets decay, it tends to spread through the tooth very quickly. In many cases. the tooth ends up becoming infected and often very painful toothache which can be highly distressing for a young child. These teeth often end up needing to be extracted which many children will associate with fear and a negative dental experience. These fears will often carry into adulthood leading to avoidance of dental checkups and neglect of dental health.

Help ensure proper eruption and development of adult teeth

If a primary tooth is lost too early (even as little as 6 months) due to decay which leads to a subsequent extraction, it can cause movement of adjacent teeth into the space and/or affect the eruption of the succeeding adult tooth. Both of these can lead to crowded and/or misaligned teeth which potentially need orthodontic treatment to correct. 

Losing a primary tooth early due to extensive decay and infection can also impact the health and appearance of the succeeding adult tooth leading to potential aesthetic concerns and other dental problems.

Does kids' dental hygiene help build proper speech & eating habits?

The position of teeth greatly affects the movement and musculature of the tongue and cheeks. If these are affected due to early tooth loss and/or misaligned teeth, then speech can also be temporarily affected which can greatly affect a child’s self confidence.

A full set of primary teeth are also essential for chewing. Early loss of molars in particular can impact a child’s ability to chew harder foods which can impact their nutrition and health.

Children's Dentistry Options

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

5 tips on how to keep your teeth clean while you have braces

1. Brushing Often

Brushing after every meal and snack is one of the best ways to keep your braces clean. If your day is super busy or you simply don’t have a toothbrush, rinse your mouth out with water after eating.

2. Knowing how to brush

Soft-bristled toothbrushes or power toothbrushes are good choices for brushing your teeth with braces. Making sure you clean around the braces, wires, brackets, teeth and gums to remove all food debris after eating.

3. Don’t Forget to Floss

Flossing removes food and plaque between teeth and prevents tooth and gum decay. We may recommend special floss called “Superfloss” to help you floss with your braces.

4. Avoid whitening products

Using whitening products while the braces are on can lead to discoloured patches where the brackets were after the braces are removed. Make sure to only buy toothpaste and mouthwash without whitening chemicals in them until your treatment is over!

5. Watch What You Eat

Some foods can damage tooth enamel or increase the likelihood of cavity development. Acidic food and drinks like oranges, soft drinks can damage your teeth. Sugary foods and drinks should be reduced to prevent tooth decay.

Visiting the dentist every 6 months for professional cleans is still a must because there will always be plaque buildup on your teeth that daily toothbrushing cannot fix.

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Do I need my wisdom teeth extracted?

Do You Need Your Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

If you have not had your wisdom teeth extracted, it is important to know the warning signs that you need to. Studies show about 85% of adults should get their wisdom teeth removed to protect their smile and preserve their dental health.

Generations ago, wisdom teeth served an important purpose. It helped our ancestors chew tough foods, such as leaves, roots, and even raw meat. But as our eating habits evolved, so did our jaws. Now, most people do not have enough room in their mouths for their wisdom teeth to come in without causing significant damage.

If your wisdom teeth need to be removed, the sooner you get them out, the better. Waiting too long can lead to complications and a more challenging recovery. And waiting can also lead to your wisdom teeth becoming impacted, which means they are blocked by other teeth and cause inflammation, infections, cavities, jawbone loss, cysts, and more. As they continue to push their way through, your teeth can become crooked and overcrowded, causing your bite to change.

The only way to avoid this is to make sure you understand whether your wisdom teeth have enough room to come in straight. The reality is the only way to know is to seek professional advice from an experienced professional dedicated to helping you make the best decisions for your health. 

How Are Wisdom Teeth Extracted By Gentle Dentists?

During your consultation, you’ll get all the information you need to make the right decision about your care. We will examine your mouth and check if your wisdom teeth have started coming in. If they have, we’ll see whether they are coming in straight and have enough room to continue to do so. If so, we will let you know. If not, we will discuss all your options with you.

If extraction is advised and you decide to move forward, we can do that in one  visit. Extractions can be done with local anesthetic (awake) or an IV anesthesia (sleep dentistry) or being referred to an oral suregeo for general anesthetic. After making a small incision in your gum tissue to expose the tooth, we will remove the tooth, clean the area, close up the incision, and place gauze over it to stop any bleeding. We will then give you detailed instructions to care for your mouth while you heal.

Who Should Get Their Wisdom Teeth Extracted?

Because the problems caused by wisdom teeth can be expensive, uncomfortable, and painful, it is important that all adults who have not had their wisdom teeth removed get their mouths inspected.

About 85% of people do not have enough room for their wisdom teeth to grow in properly so the vast majority of adults can avoid significant health issues, pain, and costs by having their wisdom teeth inspected as soon as possible.

>How Much Does Wisdom Teeth Extraction Cost?

Getting your wisdom teeth inspected at your next check up to determine if its something you need. If you decide to get your wisdom teeth extracted, your out-of-pocket costs will depend on your specific needs and insurance plan. Many dental and health insurance plans cover wisdom teeth extraction with little out-of-pocket costs to the patient. If your wisdom teeth need to be extracted, we will help you determine your exact costs before moving forward so you can make an informed decision. If you need help fitting any out-of-pocket costs into your budget, we can also show you several financing options.

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Keeping your dental retainers clean

1. Clean Your Retainers Daily

Start with a soft-bristle toothbrush applying gentle pressure to remove any soft visible plaque that may have accumulated. This will help prevent the soft plaque hardening into tartar and help keep them clean long term.

2. Protect Your Retainers with A Case

Keeping your retainers in case will help ensure they do not become damaged, lost, or broken. This will also help prevent any dust or dirt build up and will be an essential step in keeping your retainer clean.

3.Toothpaste Is Bad for Retainers 

While toothpaste is recommended for your teeth it is not the same case for your retainers. Toothpaste can be abrasive and damage your retainer over time.

4.Never Boil

As much as germs hate boiling water its not the same for your retainers as it will irreversibly remould your retainer. If this happens your retainer will not be preventing your teeth from moving, nor will it fit correctly in your mouth.

 

5. Baking Soda

Baking soda has a neutral pH and will not upset the good bacteria in your mouth. Mix into paste by adding water and clean your retainer with a soft-bristle toothbrush. Making sure to rinse thoroughly before wearing. 

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How to Whiten your Teeth Easily

A Simple Way to Whiten Your Yellow Teeth

If yellow teeth keep you from smiling, it can take a big hit on your confidenceWhen someone smiles, others see them as friendly, confident, positive, and interested in them. When someone hides their smile, the opposite is true.

Modern technology has made getting a bright white smile easier and faster than ever. In about one hour, you can go from hiding your smile to sporting whatever shade of white you desire. No more hiding your smile. No more missed connections. No more lost opportunities.

At Heidelberg Dentist, we offer simple, affordable teeth whitening that will help you get the pearly white smile you deserve.

How it Works

When you come into our office, we will treat you like a VIP and our teeth whitening service will leave you smiling bigger and brighter than ever before.

First, we will show you a shade guide so you can pick the shade of white you want your teeth to become. After you pick your shade, we begin with letting you know all your options onhow you can achieve the smile you want.

If its with teeth whitening then you will have a choice of a take home kit, which is customised trays and bleach you take home and apply yourself- the bleach is at a lower concentration to keep your gums and teeth safe. It can take a little longer, but is a good option if you constantly have food or drink that stain your teeth, or if you are a smoker, as you can top up whenever you want.

 In chair teeth whitening procedure we do in the dental chair using protective guards for your lips, cheeks, and tongue. We will then apply a resin barrier to your gumline. Together, these steps make sure you are completely comfortable and the teeth whitening gel only comes in contact with your teeth.

We will then begin applying the whitening gel to your teeth. For the next thirty minutes, you will relax in our pleasant office atmosphere while the gel turns your teeth whiter. We will then remove the whitening gel.

After the procedure, you will leave with your own set of at-home whitening trays and gel. Yes that’s right, we still give you a take home kit as many patients like to apply additional whitening at home or perform maintenance if their teeth start to yellow in the future. We make sure you can easily do that and give you step-by-step instructions for doing so.

Who Is It For?

At Heidelberg Dentist, we believe everyone deserves to have a bright smile. If you are over eighteen years old and have experienced yellowing of your teeth, teeth whitening services could help.  If you are under 18, we do have other options to help brighten your smile but still protect your teeth till you are old enough.

How Much Does It Cost?

Like other cosmetic procedures, your exact cost could vary depending on your specific needs. The only way to know is to have a trained professional examine your mouth.

At Heidelberg Dentist we know how important it is to understand exactly what a procedure will cost before moving forward. We will examine your mouth, answer any questions you have, and let you know exactly what your out-of-pocket costs will be.

The Next Step

If you are sick and tired of hiding your smile because your teeth are not the shade of white you desire, simply schedule your no-pressure teeth whitening consultation with one of our hygienists today.

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist