Crowning Baby Teeth in Toddlers
As soon as they appear, children's teeth are subject to decay. Without following simple precautions, crown work--to varying degrees--may become a necessity.
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Causes
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Toddlers' teeth can be destroyed when they are coated with sweet liquids for lengthy time periods. This condition is known as nursing mouth syndrome, early childhood caries or baby bottle tooth decay, according to the American Dental Association.
Reasons for Crowning
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Why crown work since toddlers' teeth are temporary anyway? Among the reasons are prevention from infection and maintenance of the dental arches, according to Dr. John E. Nathan, a pediatric dentist and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Pediatric Dentistry. Normal use of the teeth can be maintained with crown work that would be hampered by pain and infection. Appearance and self-esteem are also factors to consider.
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Types of Crown Work
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The most aggressive therapy involves the use of stainless steel crowns to reduce the number of tooth surfaces subject to new or secondary infection. Before this step, several other treatments can be considered first, including rinses with chlorhexidine, topical fluoride or varnishes or fluoride-release filling materials. When these steps fail to work, the next step would be tooth-colored restorations, then the stainless steel crowns.
Prevention/Solution
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Even allowing your child to fall asleep with his bottle of milk or formula can aggravate the problem, according to the American Dental Association. Do not give him a pacifier soaked in sugar or honey. After each feeding, wipe your child's gums with a wet washcloth or gauze pad. When the first tooth appears, begin brushing with a soft toothbrush but only use water until the age of 2. After 2, a pea-sized drop of flouride toothpaste should be used. Your child should be taught to spit out the remaining toothpaste and rinse his mouth with water.
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References
- Photo Credit blond toddler image by Cherry-Merry from Fotolia.com
