Partial and Full Dentures – A Perfect Smile is More Than Just Aesthetics
May 14, 2023Children’s Teeth – From the Eruption of Milk Teeth to the Appearance of Permanent Teeth.
Throughout life, every person gets teeth twice. The first, primary teeth, usually start to grow between the fourth and twelfth month, but the onset and order of teething can vary from child to child due to various factors.
Unlike permanent teeth, primary teeth are whiter, have smaller crowns, and a thinner layer of enamel. There are a total of twenty primary teeth, while there are thirty-two permanent teeth. The lower jaw teeth typically erupt first and usually in pairs, simultaneously on the left and right sides.
Care for Primary Teeth
The role of primary teeth should not be neglected, as they are essential for the proper development of jaw bones and permanent teeth in children. The process of digesting food begins in the oral cavity, and teeth play a significant role in this. Taking care of primary teeth is a prerequisite for the health of permanent teeth.
Maintaining dental hygiene in children should start as soon as their teeth begin to erupt. Parents must clean the gums and tooth buds with moistened gauze in the morning, after meals, and before bedtime, both on the inside and outside. Once teeth appear, they should be cleaned with a soft toothbrush. The enamel of primary teeth is thinner and less mineralized than that of permanent teeth, making them more prone to diseases and decay. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check a child's teeth and visit the dentist even before the age of three.
Circular Caries
The appearance of chalky spots near the root is the first sign of the development of circular caries in children. These spots most commonly occur on the upper incisors, as these are the teeth that erupt first and are exposed to sugars for the longest time. Circular caries then spreads to the other teeth in the upper jaw, and eventually to the lower jaw.
The main cause of this condition is the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, which attaches to the tooth, creating dental plaque around it, where it processes the sugars it feeds on. During this process, organic acids accumulate, under the influence of which minerals are extracted from the tooth enamel. Due to demineralization, the enamel loses its translucency, weakens, and cracks.
Excessive sugar consumption and inadequate oral hygiene significantly contribute to the occurrence of circular caries.
If circular caries is detected in time, it is possible to stop the further progression of the disease. However, if the caries has advanced too much, the affected teeth must be extracted. It should be kept in mind that the entire process from the onset of caries to the decay of the tooth can take place in just a few weeks, so it is necessary to visit a dentist as soon as any changes in the teeth are noticed.
Fissure Sealants
One way to reduce the risk of cavities is through fissure sealants. Fissures are grooves in the teeth that a toothbrush cannot easily reach, so they can retain food particles and bacterial plaque, which favors the development of caries. Fissure sealing is done on permanent teeth, and it is recommended to perform this procedure as early as possible to minimize the chance of caries.
To seal the fissures of a tooth, it must be completely healthy. After sealing, regular dental check-ups are necessary. Once sealed, a tooth is not protected forever, as the sealant eventually wears off from the tooth, so the procedure needs to be renewed every few years.
