I have a 5 year old daughter. I make her brush twice, once in the morning after breakfast and once at night after dinner. However it seems that a hard seed of Guava is stuck on her last tooth which has not come out even with regular brushing. It has now been more than two months. Can you please suggest what to do and if I need to go for a dental checkup?
Yes. Of course you need to take her to a dentist as the guava seed is stuck in the tooth because of a cavity. For all you know, it might even lead to a root canal if it left unattended.
How do we ensure if our son's teeth are brushed properly? He won't let me do it and cries a lot. He does it himself, but just eats the toothpaste and it's done. He has developed plaque on his front teeth. How do I ensure his teeth are brushed properly? (Boy, 2.5 years)
Firstly, you have to give him the tooth brush without paste so that he doesn’t eat it. Secondly, talk to him and trick him into agreeing that you will let him brush if he lets you brush his teeth first. Secondly, use a Muslin cloth to scrub his teeth . And the plaque if soft, will go if it is scrubbed with it. But, if calcified, then take him to a dentist.
My daughter is nearly 2 years old and she loves her milk during the night. I have heard and read articles that tooth decay happens if the habit continues. What is your professional opinion on this?
Yes. There is sugar in milk. If she drinks milk at night, the residual milk collects on teeth and causes decay. Such kids tend to get multiple cavities . Preferably avoid any food or milk after brushing teeth at night. And till she gets over that habit, at least make her rinse her mouth after that and brush thoroughly in the morning.
My daughter is 6.5 years old her permanent tooth is coming without uprooting of milk teeth. We visited the dentist and he said it will fall down in a month or two. Will it affect her teeth structure?
No it won’t affect the permanent teeth if they fall off soon. If it is a front tooth and is the first permanent tooth, it is but natural that the permanent tooth will erupt from behind the milk tooth .
It will push the old tooth out and come in place. In case the tooth size is more as compared to the space available, there may be crowding. But, as the jaw grows it might even fall out. If not, then orthodontia after age 12.
My daughter is 2.4 years old. She brushes her teeth in the morning and at night before sleeping. Any other care I need to take for her and which toothpaste you recommend. I use Vicco Vajradanti for my family.
I do not advocate any tooth paste of any brand. For kids, there are some kid toothpastes available. If you are brushing her teeth twice that’s good enough. But, make sure she rinses her mouth in between after each meal.
My elder son has some white substance on his front teeth, his teeth are turning yellowish too. What could be the reason for this and any remedy please?
It could be deposits since you said his teeth are turning yellow. Sometimes white spots on teeth are also due to hyper calcification of enamel. Get it checked professionally. Remedy is professional cleaning of teeth and inculcating better brushing habits.
My son is 12 years old and has cavities in all his molar teeth. His molar milk teeth are now falling , what precautions should I take so that the permanent teeth do not get cavities?
If he is 12, by now all his permanent teeth must be in place. Please check with your dentist if they are indeed milk teeth which have cavities or permanent ones.
At 2.4 years how many teeth should have come? She started teething late and I am not sure how many teeth she should have by now.
Milk teeth total number is 20. 10 in each jaw. 5 in each quadrant.
My elder son has some white substance on his front teeth, his teeth are turning yellowish too. What could be the reason for this and any remedy please?
It could be deposits since you said his teeth are turning yellow. Sometimes white spots on teeth are also due to hyper calcification of enamel. Get it checked professionally. Remedy is professional cleaning of teeth and inculcating better brushing habits.
My 5 year old son has a habit of thumb sucking from the time he was born. He doesn't stop this in spite of trying all the methods. I fear that this would lead to his front teeth to come out once the milk teeth break. Could you suggest any way in which his gums could be pressed or solution for his teeth to not come forward?
Make a conscious effort to stop this. The jaw cannot be pressed into shape. If the habit continues it will give a U shaped jaw and buck teeth . There are some habit breaking appliances which Pedodontists can suggest.
My son brushes daily at night after dinner, still has a bad breath. Any suggestions for this?
Make sure he has enough water and fibrous foods. This can happen if he doesn’t brush properly or some problem in the digestion system as well.
My son is 2.5 years old. His front 2 teeth are half broken and have now turned into yellowish color. Doctor suggested us root canal. Is it really necessary? Are there any other ways?
Yes. We do root canals for age 2 and above for kids. That’s because it is another 4 years at least for new teeth to come in place. Till then the decay will increase and cause an infection in the bone. Child will get pain, swelling of gums and fever. Hence , get the root canal treatment done.
My daughter is 15 yrs old. What regimen should she follow to keep her teeth healthy? How important is gargling after each meal?
At 15, she has already got all her permanent teeth in place except may be the wisdom teeth. Brushing regularly, avoiding sticky foods between meals , having fruits and raw salads after meals as they cleanse the tooth surface , avoiding cola drinks completely as enamel dissolved in cola drinks are some of the measures. Gargling is a must. But make sure food particles are not stuck on tooth surface after rinsing.
My daughter is 15 yrs old. What regimen should she follow to keep her teeth healthy? How important is gargling after each meal?
At 15, she has already got all her permanent teeth in place except may be the wisdom teeth. Brushing regularly, avoiding sticky foods between meals , having fruits and raw salads after meals as they cleanse the tooth surface , avoiding cola drinks completely as enamel dissolved in cola drinks are some of the measures. Gargling is a must. But make sure food particles are not stuck on tooth surface after rinsing.
My friend had suggested for sealants for my 7 year old child. Please tell me how much time it will last and what is its cost
We do pit and fissure sealants for milk teeth and permanent teeth which have just erupted . They help to make the tooth surface shallow by blocking the grooves on the tooth surface. If done properly they should last at least 5 years. Regarding the cost, there are no standard rates as each cavity is different and the skills of the dentist also vary. Hence it wouldn’t be appropriate. It is subjective.
How do we remove slight yellow stains that teeth start getting. My 15 year old shows those signs. She is consistent with her morning and night brushing routine.
At 15, yellow stains and deposits are a result of bad brushing. Take her for dental consultation. She might need one sitting of cleaning. And the dentist will explain the correct brushing technique. Usually we tell our patients to get their tooth brush and ask them to show us how they brush their teeth. Then we correct them.
Dr Sanjeevani Nene – Dental Hygiene For Kids
Dr. Sanjeevani Nene is a dentist by profession. She runs a multi specialty dental clinic in Aundh since the past 35 years and has treated over 20000 patients so far.
At 5to15 Event, Dr Sanjeevani Nene – Dental Hygiene For Kids will be bringing awareness on dental hygiene. Answering the questions from the concerned parents.
About Dr. Sanjeevani Nene
Dr. Nene has been a Rotarian and is associated with a number of multinational corporate for giving talks on dentistry, parenting and women empowerment. Her business plan for a mobile dental clinic was among the top 5 in the world in 2013.
She has been participating ‘Women Entrepreneur development Program’ by Goldman Sachs in 2011. Her motto is to bring a smile on peoples’ face and she, along with her associate dentists strive to provide quality dentistry to her patients every day.
The Sessions
Dr Sanjeevani Nene – Dental Hygiene For Kids will be the topic where she will be taking the session at upcoming 5To15 event. Her expertise also lie in parenting related to teens and pre teens.