CHILDREN AND FAMILY DENTISTRY

Early visits can prevent minor problems from becoming major ones. Your

dentist will be able to detect early decay.Baby (milk) teeth are necessary not

only for appearance, eating and smiling, but also serve to hold spaces for

developing permanent (adult) teeth. In addition, baby teeth play a role in the

development of speech.


The most common dental decay problem seen in infants and younger children

is nursing decay. Dental decay can affect baby teeth extensively. Teeth

normally affected are the top front teeth. The back teeth in top and bottom

may also be affected. Bottle and breast-fed babies are both susceptible.

Babies left with a bottle as a pacifier and those who are frequently nursed,

especially at night, run the danger of bottle or nursing decay due to the

prolonged exposure to milk (human milk is no exception) or juice.


Children may need X-rays more often than adults. This is because their teeth

and jaws are still developing and because their teeth are more likely to be

affected by tooth decay than those of adults.