Child’s Loose Tooth

When your child’s primary teeth begin to come loose and their permanent teeth erupt beneath them, it can be an uncomfortable experience. Many are tempted to go in and pluck the loose tooth out, in an effort to keep their child from swallowing a tooth when it comes out by itself. But is this a good idea?

The first thing to realize is that your child’s mouth is very delicate. Pulling out a tooth can do a lot of damage to the surrounding gum tissues. It’s not worthwhile to do this strictly to avoid swallowing a tooth, since a primary tooth can pass safely through your child’s system. In general, it is best to let a tooth come out when it is ready. You can always contact Overlake Dental for us to take a look and pull out the loose tooth.

Of course, sometimes a primary tooth can overstay its welcome. If it fails to come out soon enough, it can cause the permanent tooth to come in crooked. Should the permanent tooth start to appear under the primary tooth, it may be time to talk to our Bellevue dentist.

When is the last time you went to the dentist?

Far too many people will postpone their regular dental visits far longer than they ought to. They might feel completely healthy and, with the stresses of work, school, and other concerns plaguing their lives, it may not seem like a high priority to get your teeth cleaned every six months. What are the chances that you actually have a dental problem, after all?

Unfortunately, the answer is probably not as favorable as you think. Professional estimates tell us that as much as 90% of people in the United States are suffering from some sort of oral problem. Such problems may come in the form of tooth decay, gum disease, or possibly even oral cancer. This issue would not be so bad, were it not for the fact that a far smaller group of people are even aware that they have a problem.

Prevention is Key

You don’t want to be one of the blissfully ignorant. The longer you go without proper dental care, the worse your problem will get. Call our Bellevue dentist right away to get the care you need and deserve.

Dental anxiety is common among adults, and all the more so with children. They’re coming into a place where they feel they have very little power, and they see a selection of scary instruments that are to be used in their mouths.

If you do not help your child to feel comfortable during dental visits, he or she may very well continue to feel debilitating anxiety well into adulthood.

Tips for Child’s Dental Anxiety

Consider the following advice to achieve this goal:

• You should bring your child in at an early age. Consider bringing him or her in during your own appointments to help make the experience a familiar and comfortable one.
• Put a good face on the dentist’s office. If this is a stressful place for you, children can pick up on your emotional cues and may become more stressed out themselves.
• Avoid language like “everything will be okay” when taking your child in for an appointment. He or she may likely feel some discomfort in the dental chair, and you don’t want them to feel betrayed by you when they do.
• Don’t offer bribes. When you feel the need to offer a reward for going to the dentist’s office, a child will likely expect an unpleasant experience and react accordingly.

It is generally advised that you bring your child to our Bellevue dentist for the first time at the age of one. Call Overlake Dental for additional information.

Understanding Your Baby’s Teeth

Did you know that all 20 of baby’s teeth are lined up inside his jaw, upper and lower, at birth, and just waiting for the right time to come in?

Normally, around the age of 6 to 10 months, the first lower front teeth will be emerging from his gums. This is followed shortly in a couple of months later by the upper two front teeth. The rest of baby’s teeth follow soon in just a few months, so by the time he is 2 to 2.5 years old the last set of molars have already come in.

Teething Process

This teething process is sometimes distressing for babies and they will show it by crying without let up and being irritable. Knowing this, try to soothe your baby’s discomfort by gently massaging his gums with a clean finger or a gauze pad or give him a soft teething ring to chew on.

If you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding, wipe your baby’s mouth clean with soft cloth or gauze, most especially if his teeth are already showing. Sugar present in his milk can easily adhere to his teeth.

Do bring your baby to his first dental visit as you are bound to learn more from his dentist in the proper care of his beginning teeth and overall oral health.

Bellevue Dentistry and Your Toddler

At Overlake Dental, we see many parents bring their infants in for oral examination and advice on oral hygiene. Toddlers as young as three or even younger, are already taught, with some demonstration, on how to brush correctly.

Dr. Monica Yu is a gentle professional with children and parents, too. Keep your regular appointments with him as he guides you through your child’s dental development. It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to care for children’s teeth from the very start.