Educating children on proper oral care habits has always been an important issue in dentistry. Although technological advances may someday completely eliminate tooth decay, today we must still rely on consistent daily care and regular dental cleanings.

Creating a proper oral health regimen early in a child's life increases their chances of having healthy, longer lasting teeth. This involves the active participation of both the parents and the child.

Pediatric dentistry aims to help this process by meeting the special dental needs of children. Be sure to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings for your whole family.

What constitutes a true emergency varies. However, for most situations there is little a dentist can do until he/she has a chance to see your child. It is extremely important that you schedule a dental appointment. A dentist will diagnose and repair any problems before the situation becomes compounded.

Bleeding after loss of baby tooth

Anxious children often help along the process by wiggling and pushing the teeth with the tongue in hopes that the tooth fairy will be generous. If the socket bleeds when the tooth comes out, apply pressure to the area with a sterile gauze pad and the bleeding should stop. If bleeding does persist, call your dentist.

Broken braces or wires

If a wire is stuck in the cheek, tongue or gums, do not remove it; take the child to the dentist immediately. If the wire or bracket can be removed easily, take it out. If not, cover the sharp portion with cotton balls, gauze or chewing gum.

Chipped or broken tooth

Immediate dental attention is necessary. Rinse any dirt from the injured area with warm water. If the broken piece(s) of tooth is found, place it in a glass of warm milk. This will help preserve it until you are able to get your child to the dentist.

Chipped or broken tooth

Apply ice to the area and, if there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes, take your child to a hospital emergency room.

Knocked out tooth

Remain calm. If it is a permanent tooth, find the tooth, handling it by the top, not the root. Try to reinsert it into the tooth socket, and have the child hold it in place by biting down on clean gauze or a cloth. If that isn't possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk. Immediately take your child and the tooth to the dentist--time is a critical factor in saving the tooth. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because damage to the permanent tooth can occur.

Mouth sores

Many children suffer occasionally from mouth sores, known as "canker" or "cold" sores. Over-the-counter preparations usually provide relief for the child until they heal, but it is important to visit the dentist if the sores persist. Some serious diseases begin as sores.

Toothache

Rinse the irritated area vigorously with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the child's face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for pain, but do not put aspirin on the teeth or gums. Take the child to the dentist as soon as possible.

Teething infants are often cranky. If a child becomes irritated, the usual remedy is to provide a pacifier, teething ring or in some instances, a numbing solution. The process will reoccur with each new tooth that comes in.

Teeth that are extensively decayed may have to be extracted, and teeth that are lost too early will have detrimental effects on future permanent teeth.

Rather than putting a child down for sleep with a bottle of juice, fill the bottle with water or give the child a pacifier that has been recommended by your dentist.

When your child has a few teeth showing, begin brushing them each morning and evening with a soft child's toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste until your child is able to rinse and spit out the residue, or use an infant/toddler tooth and gum cleanser that is nonabrasive, non-foaming, and fluoride-free.

How to brush and floss a child's teeth

It is important to establish and maintain a regular routine for brushing the teeth, usually after breakfast and before bedtime. Use a small soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

First, establish an order in which the teeth are brushed, making sure that none are missed. For example: All top teeth inside and out and then all bottom teeth inside and out.

Put the brush horizontally on the teeth and partly on the gum. Move the brush back and forth in a short, gentle motion. Be sure to pay special attention to the inside of the front teeth because they are often missed.

Finally, brush the tongue to remove any laden bacteria, and have the child rinse with water.

Flossing is as important to good dental health as brushing and rinsing. However, not everyone agrees on when it should begin--either as soon as all primary teeth are in, or when children can floss on their own. Check with your child's dentist for advice and tips on flossing.

Until your child is at least seven, you will need to be in charge of flossing. Although it may be difficult to get a young child to cooperate (and difficult to maneuver in a small mouth), getting into the habit is as important as getting the job done.

You may not be able to floss between all teeth each night, so try to do at least the top teeth one night and the bottom the next. Do the back teeth first because it is more important to focus on the molars than the front teeth.

Teaching a child how to brush

When your young child begins to show an interest in brushing, encourage him or her. But you should supervise and do most of the teeth brushing until your child is six or seven years old, to ensure proper care.

Children often learn by imitation, so set a good example and take good care of your own teeth. Let them see you in the regular habit of brushing and flossing daily.

Sugar is the fuel for bacteria that forms cavities. Bacteria in dental plaque break down the sugar in food and form an acid that dissolves the tooth surface. When this happens often, the tooth surface will break down and dental decay will occur.

Children who regularly eat foods with high concentrations of sugar have a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease than if their diet limited sugar intake and focused on healthier foods. 

Sticky foods, such as cookies, cakes, candy, pastries, chewing gum and dried  fruits, stay on the teeth longer and do the most damage. Eating cheese, on the other hand, may inhibit cavities and actually strengthen tooth enamel.

Recommendations vary as to when a child should first visit the dentist. Some believe a child should see a dentist when the first tooth comes in, around six months of age, so that the child will become accustomed to dental visits. Another way of thinking, however, recommends parents wait until all twenty primary (baby) teeth have erupted.

It is important to schedule your child's first appointment BEFORE any acute dental problem exists. The first visit should be a fun time used to introduce the dentist and his helpers as new friends. If this occurs, the child will remember the dental office and the visit as a good experience.

During the first visit, the dentist will thoroughly check the teeth and gums to determine if any problems exist. The dentist will educate your child about the importance of taking care of his or her teeth, and may demonstrate the proper way to brush and floss. If it is indicated, the dentist will gently clean the teeth to remove any plaque and stains. The dentist may also apply a fluoride gel to strengthen the teeth.

The goal is to make this visit fun for your child. With good oral hygiene, proper nutrition and regular checkups, your child can avoid dental decay and the pain that goes with it.

Fortunately, orthodontics can correct these problems and create a beautiful smile. Through the use of braces, teeth are slowly moved and shifted into proper position.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have an initial screening at age 7 so any problems can be diagnosed as early as possible. Many children are then put on a wait-and-watch program until they are 10 or 12, when all the permanent teeth have come in and a final evaluation can be made.

The days of "metal mouth" are now history. Wearing braces is now "cool," and even a fashion statement for some children. Several styles are available, and children can choose from a wide variety of colors for the elastic bands that bind the wires to the brackets.

Consult your general dentist to find out if orthodontics may be right for your child. Your dentist may recommend that you see an orthodontist, a dentist who provides orthodontic treatment exclusively.

Fluorides are especially effective when the primary teeth are developing because the enamel is thinner than the enamel found in permanent teeth. Your dentist may apply fluoride topically on the teeth twice yearly until your child reaches his or her mid-teens.

The use of fluoride is considered safe unless ingested in large quantities. Too much fluoride can cause a condition known as fluorosis, which causes discoloration and staining of the teeth.

Be careful that your child does not regularly swallow toothpaste (only use fluoride toothpaste after your child can rinse and spit), or regularly drink water containing excessive fluoride levels.

Many communities add fluoride to the water supply to aid in cavity prevention. If you are concerned about the fluoride level in your water, check with your local water department.

Sealants are usually first applied when the child is six or seven years old, when all the permanent molars (back teeth) have come in. It takes the dentist only a few minutes to seal each tooth (so total treatment time varies by the number of teeth being sealed) and the treatment is painless.

Properly applied sealants have been found to be 100% effective in protecting teeth from cavities. As long as the sealant remains intact (usually 5-10 years), small food particles and bacteria cannot penetrate to the tooth surface and cause decay.

It is important to remember, however, that good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups are still the most important ways for your child to enjoy good dental health.

A mouthguard is an appliance worn in the mouth that helps prevent injuries to the teeth, tongue, lips, cheeks, and jaw.

Although ready-made and fit-at-home standard mouthguards can be bought at most sports stores, a mouthguard custom-made by your child's dentist offers the best protection and durability. It is comfortable and does not interfere with speech or breathing.

Dental injuries are painful and costly. If your child is involved in athletics, schedule an appointment with your dentist to get more details about a mouthguard to protect your child's teeth.