As a family dental practice, we see a lot of children. Children typically have a total of twenty baby (deciduous) teeth. Many patients wonder why these are important to keep healthy if they are going to be lost shortly down the road. Since all of the baby teeth are usually lost by ages 10-12 it would appear that it wouldn’t be critical if any were lost before this time. However, this is not the case. The baby teeth are important in helping maintain correct spacing for the permanent teeth, speech development and eating, which contributes to overall development. In some cases, when a baby tooth is lost prematurely it becomes necessary to make something called a space maintainer in order to hold room for the permanent teeth. Consequently, we encourage our young patients to practice good oral hygiene and to keep their baby teeth cavity free in order to have great oral health for their upcoming permanent teeth. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Posts Tagged ‘family dentist’
Why are baby teeth important?
Monday, July 19th, 2010When do I start taking my child to the dentist?
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010Children typically have all twenty of their baby teeth by three years old. We recommend that children begin visiting the dentist with their parents around two years of age to in order to get familiar with the office and to clean their teeth once they are comfortable with the environment and our team. We are a family dental practice and have patients ranging from two years old to 100. Since dentistry is a lifetime process, the earlier that problems are detected the smaller the problem and the better experience for children. Our dental team loves caring for children and most of them have kids of their own so they know what it can be like to visit the dentist for the first time. If you have questions about your child’s oral health, don’t hesitate to ask. Dr. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Your child’s dental health
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010Establishing good dental habits early in life helps guarantee a lifetime of optimal oral health. We recommend having children visit our practice as early as 18-24 months of age. We typically start cleaning teeth around two to three years of age but starting out early allows us to monitor development of the teeth and to assist parents on how to provide the best home dental care for their child. Children who learn how to brush and floss their teeth at a very early age are more likely to establish healthy long term habits. Baby teeth (deciduous teeth) will last until approximately twelve years of age and these teeth are very important in maintaining space for the permanent teeth and helping with normal development of the mouth and face. Thus, good dental hygiene early on will create an affect that will last a lifetime. Carson Kutsch Albany Oregon Dentist www.drkutsch.com
Family dentistry-Then and Now
Monday, March 8th, 2010Most of us can remember our first dental appointments and the anxiety that accompanied those experiences. Today, our younger patients (child patients) don’t have the same types of experience with dentistry. As we have increased our magnification, implemented digital x rays, and changed to more conservative materials, the process of getting a dental filling is no longer a traumatic experience. Today’s fillings are smaller, require less anesthetic, and often lead to a shorter appointment time. Thus, our younger patients often enjoy their visit to the dentist and have teeth that will be in much better condition for the long term. Carson Kutsch Dentist Albany Oregon www.drkutsch.com