When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out Once all the baby teeth have fully come in, it is very important to keep up with twice daily brushing to keep them clean and strong. It is recommended that parents brush their kids' teeth until the age of eight. During that time, those new baby teeth will begin to wiggle and fall out. Baby teeth usually begin falling out in order of appearance. The lower center teeth go first, followed by the top center pair, and so on. This usually starts happening by age six, but some kids can start losing teeth as early as age four. Most children get excited when they feel their teeth start to wiggle (and the Tooth Fairy’s inevitable visit is also a big help), while some kids worry that losing a tooth will hurt when it falls out. If your child is worried, you can reassure him or her that they probably won't feel anything. A baby tooth typically won’t loosen until the permanent tooth below begins pushing it up to take its place. But it...

Your child’s first set of teeth is as much of a milestone coming in as they are when they are wiggling loose. With the anticipation and anxiety associated with both events, it is understandable that parents want to know when to expect their baby’s first teeth to come in and when those baby teeth will fall out. When Do Baby Teeth Come In So, how many baby teeth are there? There are 20 primary baby teeth that are already present in a child’s jaw at birth, and they usually start appearing – or erupting– between six months and one year. You can expect your child’s full set of teeth to come in by age three. You can also refer to a baby teeth chart for this. Just remember that every child is different, so no exact dates should be expected, but below is an approximate order of when you can expect baby teeth to come in: Lower center teeth (or lower center incisors) arrive between approximately six to ten months. Top center teeth (or top center incisors) arrive around ei...

When working with her young patients, pediatric dentist and ADA spokesperson Dr. Mary Hayes teaches them this simple, but important, saying: “Sugar is fun to eat, but not good for your teeth!” That’s because your child might love sweet treats, but the bacteria in his or her mouth loves them even more. “Sucrose (sugar) is the ‘food’ for the bacteria that cause tooth decay,” Dr. Hayes says. “Those bacteria produce acid that etches away the teeth.” Limiting the amount of sugar your entire family eats is good for your teeth and key to your overall health. Here are some dentist-recommended ways to start saying good-bye to unnecessary sugar throughout the day. Know the Limits When choosing a snack, keep an eye on added sugar (sweeteners like corn syrup or white sugar that are added to prepared foods). Naturally occurring sugars are less worrisome, as they are found in healthy choices like milk and fruit. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people age 3 and ...

Learn more about what the American Dental Association has to say about the importance of dental sealants as a preventive dental treatment for your children! The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca

A Lifetime of Good Dental Habits! Dr. Aitken shares your goals for maintaining and bettering your child’s oral health. Helping them learn the correct way from the beginning builds a lifetime foundation of strong dental habits. Keep in mind that many factors contribute to your child’s teeth being susceptible to cavities when they’re young. Children don’t have the necessary coordination to brush properly on their own. Because of this, it is vital for parents to assist in their child’s daily hygiene. This encourages both thorough cleaning and the instilling of proper dental habits. Poor cleaning can increase the risk that teeth will develop decay when subjected to food and juice acids. Little kids often “graze,” eating frequently throughout the day. This produces an extended exposure to food acids, which may also generate more cavities. The good news is that recognizing poor dietary and hygiene habits, along with applying a fluoride varnish to the mineralizing teeth, can lessen the odds...

A Simple Way to Prevent Child Tooth Decay Dental sealants help compensate for a child’s inability to brush properly. Even though they try hard, they're still learning, and their hand-to-eye coordination isn't fully developed. Even with meticulous brushing, it is possible that the deep grooves in the back teeth may be missed. These hard-to-reach brushing areas even elude adults.  Poorly cleaned teeth can permit the accumulation of bacteria, acids, and plaque, which will later cause decay. And once a tooth has decay, it is damaged forever and will likely need a filling or a crown.  A dental sealant procedure is done as follows: The tooth (or teeth) is cleansed and sterilized. A white or clear plastic coating is lightly brushed on their tooth enamel. A curing light is focused on the sealant to bond it into place. In very little time, without shots or drills, the entire process is finished. The application of dental sealants is harmless and one of the best things both ch...

Having your kids brush their teeth before they go to bed each night helps them learn good oral hygiene practices. And while twice-daily toothbrushing is good for developing teeth, it always enough to stop bad breath from occurring. Bad breath isn't always solely an oral health issue, there can be other causes that need a different solution. Here are five surprising causes of bad breath in children and how to stop them. Sinus Infection Have any of your kids complained about a sore throat or stuffy nose lately? It might be a sinus infection. Sinus issues cause fluid to collect in the nasal passages and throat, making your child's throat the perfect place for bacteria to gather. The result? Stinky breath that can't be cured with toothbrushing and mouthwash alone. If you suspect a sinus infection (potential sore throat, burning nasal passages and post nasal drip), call your doctor for a visit and see if antibiotics will be prescribed. Foreign Objects It may not be your fi...

Parents are a child's first teacher in life and play a significant role in maintaining his or her overall health. Providing oral health education to mothers and families is essential to teaching children healthy habits and preventing early childhood tooth decay, according to an article published in the May/June 2010 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). With all of the challenges that new parents face, they may not think much about the link between their child's oral health and overall health. In fact, an understanding of oral hygiene can help parents to prevent tooth decayóthe single most common chronic childhood disease in Americaóand to create a lifetime of healthy habits for their child. "Ideally, the oral health education for any family will begin with prenatal education and the establishment of a dental home by the time the child is 12 to 18 months of age," says Tegwyn Brickhouse, DDS, autho...

The American Dental Association has created informative videos called Ask the Dentist. Here is their video on: 'My Child Lost a Tooth! Now What?' The above video is found on the American Dental Association YouTube Channel. Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD      280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223     VistaDentalCare.ca

We Help Children Enjoy the Dentist Dr. Aitken endeavours to help children of all ages feel relaxed and enjoy themselves, so bring the whole family along! He uses techniques to reduce their time in the chair, providing their treatments with compassion and a smile. Our team teaches children healthy dental habits they can use throughout their lifetime and encourages children of all ages to employ proper dental hygiene at home. We look forward to meeting your child for their first dental visit when they cut their first tooth and hope to see them grow year after year. We want to ensure that this and future generations of children grow up without a fear of the dental office. Our many happy parents say we are doing just that! Whether you have a tentative seven-year-old or a boisterous three-year-old, we are here to help you. Vista Dental Care     Chad Aitken, DMD     280-5201 43 St.     Red Deer, AB     T4N 1C7     (855) 636-9223...