Ask the Dentist

Dr. Burke is a 1985 graduate of Nativity BVM High School, a 1993 honors graduate of Temple University School of Dentistry and is the mother of a 6 year-old and a 9 year-old. She is also a past Board Member of Child Development, Inc. Dr. Burke knows teeth, knows our County and she knows children.

This column is for general dental health information only. Please consult your dental or

medical professional for specific advice or immediate dental/medical concerns.

Dear Dr. Mom:

Do I need to brush my baby's 2 tiny teeth???
"M"-- (mother of an 8 month old & a 4yr old)

Dear M.:
Yes, you need to brush your baby's little teeth. You actually should start with dental habits right away.

After babies eat you should wipe their gums with a moist gauze or washcloth. Once teeth erupt you should start to use a toddler brush after every meal.

As they get older you can introduce TODDLER non-fluoride toothpaste, but truly the brushing is the most important part.

Once the child starts rinsing & spitting well you can start to use regular fluoride toothpaste, but only a small amount of the toothpaste is needed.

Some kids are ready for this at age 3 some kids aren't ready until age 5.

You can discuss the best method with your family dentist.
Happy tiny smiles,
DR MOM

Dear Dr. Mom:
Can a baby tooth be put back in if it gets knocked out???
Dr. Mom's Answer:
Generally speaking, if a little rough housing resulted in a baby tooth being knocked out, it can't be put back in the mouth.

You do, however, need to be sure that the impact only affecrted the tooth and not the supporting jaw structure.

Permanent teeth are a whole other situationa nd can often be saved.

To discuss the exact plan, contact your family dentist immediately.
Safety First,
Dr. Mom

Dear Dr. Mom:

Why should I bother with cavities in my child's first teeth?

Dr. Mom's Answer:
This is a great question for kids and adults.

Cavities are caused by germs and germs cause infection. In a sense, think of cavities as auntreated infections which will spread to the adjacent teeth.

The permanent teeth develop and erupt right alongside of baby teeth and therefore, an untreated cavity in a baty tooth can be the cause of the cavity i the adult teeth.

This infection/cavity can also cause the baby teeth to abscess. Often these abscesses dont' cause immediate pain and can go unnoticed by Mom and Dad, but theat doesn't mean the damage isn't being done.

When an abscess occurs, teeth are lost earlier and this affects speech, diet, jaw bone development and tooth position and it can also impact learning and behavior.

Keep dental health an important part of your child's day!
Dr. Mom

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