Posted: October 15, 2014
Buffalo-area cosmetic and general dentist Dr. Larry Evola at Forestream Dental in Depew, New York, knows that a great smile starts young.
So here are three childhood dental development milestones that parents should be aware.
Growing Kids, Growing Teeth
Milestone No. 1: Cutting Teeth – Teething is one of the surest signs that your baby is healthy and growing. Cutting teeth can begin as early as 4 months and last through age 3. During this time, when new teeth are coming in, look for the following signs:
- Drooling
- Swollen, sensitive gums
- Crankiness
- Changes in sleep or eating
- Low-grade fever
Discuss strategies for comforting a teething baby with your dentist. Some common techniques include offering a teething ring or cold washcloth to chew, gently massaging baby’s gum with your finger, offering an age-appropriate dose of infant painkiller or gum soother.
Milestone No. 2: Losing Teeth – Baby teeth tend to fall out in the order in which they grew in. To make room for adult teeth, baby teeth will begin to get loose and fall out around age 5. This will continue into the “tweens.”
Milestone No. 3: Dental Corrections – Often by age 9 or 10, your family dentist will be able to determine whether your child is experiencing such common developmental dental issues as overbite, teeth crowding, cross-bite or crooked teeth. Dr. Evola can evaluate these orthodontic issues and help determine the appropriate course of action.
Kids and Cosmetic Dentistry
Although the individual procedures in a Smile Makeover – including Porcelain Veneers, Dental Bonding, and Teeth Whitening – are often marketed to adults, there are cases in which children may have need for cosmetic dentistry. Youth athletes, for instance, have a 1 in 10 chance of suffering a dental injury or tooth loss while playing sports. Some children also have protruding teeth that necessitate cosmetic and orthodontic corrections to prevent injury and enhance quality of life.
If you live in or around Buffalo and need an experienced dentist with a broad menu of services, please contact Forestream Dental today or call (716) 656-8686 to schedule an appointment.
