The Importance of Keeping Baby's Teeth Healthy

Dorota Gasior, DDS, Wheeler’s Dental Clinic Director, oversees all aspects of on-site preventive and restorative dentistry services at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center at 43 Woodland Street, Hartford. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from New York University’s College of Dentistry and completed her General Dentist Residency at Harlem Hospital. In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Dr. Gasior explains why it’s important to keep primary teeth healthy and provides tips to help your child on their dental health journey.

Dr. Gasior shares five reasons why it’s important to keep primary teeth healthy:

1. Primary teeth serve an important function as space maintainers. Premature loss due to decay can cause the adjacent teeth to drift, resulting in less room for permanent teeth to come in.
2. Permanent teeth are developing close to the primary teeth and an abscess or infection can affect the development of the permanent teeth underneath. An abscess can also spread to the face or brain, which can be life-threatening.
3. Cavities spread quicker through baby teeth since the enamel is thinner and the nerve is larger, in comparison to adult teeth. Unresolved cavities will cause pain and your child may refuse to eat, which could lead to nutritional deficiencies.
4. Decayed teeth can also affect a child’s social interaction and ability to focus in school.
5. Any pain associated with dental issues can trigger fear of coming to the dentist and seeking treatment, often carrying into adulthood.
   

Five tips for caring for and preventing premature primary teeth loss.

1. Bring your child for their first check-up soon as the first four teeth develop and then twice a year for cleaning and checkups. Dr. Gasior recommends practicing opening their mouths to mimic dental cleaning and get a book about teeth cleaning. Regular exams can prevent issues from getting worse and allow permanent teeth to come in properly.
2. Schedule restorative visits to treat dental decay soon as it appears. Delaying the treatment can lead to severe problems and need of treatment under general sedation in a hospital.
3. Consider dental sealants as soon as the permanent teeth develop. A sealant is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.
4. Help your child with their brushing until they can properly brush on their own.
5. Limit consumption of sugar and fermentable carbohydrates that stick to the teeth (i.e., sweet cereals, white breads, etc.) Keep in mind that it is the frequency of consumption that contributes more to development of decay rather than amount of consumption.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact your Wheeler health provider or call Wheeler’s Navigation Center at 860.793.3500.