For more information concerning pediatric dentistry, please visit the website for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school, and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.
The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs. It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems which affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth, or baby teeth are important for 1 proper chewing and eating, 2 providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position, and 3 permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles.
Primary teeth also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. As early as 4 months, the first primary or baby teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors, followed closely by the upper central incisors. Although all 20 primary teeth usually appear by age 3, the pace and order of their eruption varies. Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors.
At the age of 8, you can generally expect the bottom 4 primary teeth lower central and lateral incisors and the top 4 primary teeth upper central and lateral incisors to be gone and permanent teeth to have taken their place. There is about a one to two year break from ages and then the rest of the permanent teeth will start to come in. This process continues until approximately age Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth.
Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your child's dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist immediately. If it is waking your child up at night, all us immediately. If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a gauze or cloth. If bleeding cannot be controlled by simple pressure, call a doctor or visit the hospital emergency room.
