Why does my kid grind their teeth?
It’s common for young kids to grind their teeth; they often outgrow it when their permanent teeth come in. There are no connections between tooth grinding and issues with behavior like anxiety.
When should my kid needs see an ortho?
The American Academy of Orthodontics recommends your child see an Orthodontist by seven. This is a growth and guidance visit establishing a baseline to be more proactive than reactive. However, if there are breathing issues, prolonged pacifier/bottle usage, thumb sucking, or tongue thrusting, you should get in sooner.
Braces or Invisalign- which to do?
It depends on the child and their level of responsibility.
You wear Invisalign a minimum of 20 hours a day. That means every time your child eats or drinks anything other than water, they need to take them out, eat, then brush/floss before putting them back in.
Braces are cemented, so your child cannot lose them, but brackets can break. They must watch what they eat (no gummy bears or hard candies). With braces, you should also brush 3-4 times a day.
What foods cause cavities?
Sugars, starchy foods, soda, sports drinks, gummy candy and more. And when it comes to teeth staining, foods like dark fruits (blueberries), dark drinks (Pepsi), and purple grape juice will tint your teeth. However, dentists can rid stains at your child's cleaning.
What should I do if my kid breaks a tooth?
Save the piece of the broken tooth as dentists can often reattach it! Put the piece of tooth in milk, water, or Hank's Balanced Salt Solution, and bring it to your pediatric dentist. If an adult tooth comes out unexpectedly, hold it by the crown, re-implant it into the socket, hold it in, and get to your pediatric dentist ASAP.
Lisa B. Bienstock, DMD is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. She completed a competitive postdoctoral residency at Columbia University/NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Center and holds privileges at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. She has a natural connection to special needs children who adore her entertaining manner. (What's a dentist’s favorite animal? A molar bear!)
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