Children's dental health FAQ's Published July 8, 2011 By Capt. Robert E. Wake 5th Medical Operations Squadron MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- With summer here and the consumption of popsicles and fruit juices being more frequent, this is a time to educate the public on the importance of dental health, especially in children. Below are some common questions parents may have about their children's teeth and oral developmental patterns. Q: I have a 15-month-old baby girl who has not gotten her first tooth yet. Is this of concern? A: Children usually have their baby teeth erupt between the ages of six to nine months. It is important to realize that this range is an average, and everyone is different. There are very few conditions that lead to the absence of teeth, so be patient as the baby teeth grow before becoming visible in the mouth. If you still have concerns, seek an evaluation by your dentist. Q: My daughter just informed us she has a loose tooth, a day after her fifth birthday. There has been no trauma, so what could have caused this? I seem to remember losing my first tooth in first grade. Is this a bit early for her to get her first loose tooth? A: Children lose their first primary tooth between the ages of six and seven. Again, this is an average so some children may loose their teeth earlier while others may retain their baby teeth longer. Sometimes a baby tooth does not come out on its own and has to be removed by a dentist because it has fused with the bone. So if you notice a baby tooth remaining even after the surrounding teeth have come out and it doesn't appear loose, then you should follow-up with your dentist. Q: My 4-year-old son fell and knocked out his front tooth and chipped his other one last week. Do I need to go to the dentist even though this is only a baby tooth? A: Traumatic accidents are best evaluated as soon as possible by your family dentist. Some situations are more urgent and should not wait, particularly if he is in any kind of pain, if he cannot eat or drink cold or hot foods, if there appears to be any tooth discoloration, or if there is swelling and bleeding of the gums. If none of these conditions apply, then the child may be able to wait longer to see the dentist. However, it is important for the dentist to evaluate the child despite an absence of symptoms to determine possible damage to a developing tooth and to ensure there are no tooth fragments in the gum tissue that may have gone unnoticed. Q: I have an 8-year-old daughter and I can hear her grinding her teeth really bad in her sleep. What can I do? Should I be concerned? A: Grinding in children is not uncommon. About half of kids under the age of 8 grind their teeth. It is often a subconscious activity that people do as a mechanism for dealing with stress or anxiety. If the habit persists once all the baby teeth have exfoliated (fallen out), a dentist can make a protective appliance that your child can wear at night to protect the permanent teeth. Q: My toddler is 18 months old and I was wondering when I should schedule her first appointment with the dentist. Does she need to get seen before she is 2 years old? A: It is recommended by The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry that your child sees a dentist at ages 1, 2, and again at 3. At these appointments your child will be introduced to the dental environment and a basic oral exam can be done. Dental work is usually minimal at the younger ages but routine visits help the children feel comfortable at the dentist's office. If dental treatment is necessary, the dentist may decide to take x-rays. These appointments are also good opportunities to talk with your dentist and ask any questions you may have. Hopefully some of these questions are ones that you yourself have wondered about. Regular visits to the dentist can usually identify and fix problems before they become worse. It is important to take time with your children and reinforce good oral hygiene habits while they are young.