Q. What are dental sealants?
A. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that cover the chewing surfaces of back teeth. These back teeth are called molars. Sealants protect molars from tooth decay. A dentist should evaluate children between the ages of 5-14 for dental sealants. Dental sealants last for several years and can prevent tooth decay during the years that children are most susceptible to decay. Ask your dentist about dental sealants!

Q. Why did my child have a dental screening at school?
A. This service is offered in all counties in North Carolina and is conducted by public health dental hygienists. Parents will be informed if there are any obvious problems with their child's teeth. Data collected will be used in developing dental programs across the state.

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Q. When will my child's teeth come in?
A. Usually baby teeth (primary teeth) start coming in (erupting) around six months of age. All twenty primary teeth are usually in by age 2 1/2 to 3 years. Signs of teething are: more drooling, sore gums, fussy and irritable, chews on everything. When your baby is irritable from teething, let him chew on something cold like a clean, frozen wash cloth or a teething ring. Teething does not make your child sick. If your child has a fever or other serious symptoms, see your physician.

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Q. What about pacifiers and thumb sucking?
A. Babies are born with a strong need to suck but this need should gradually go away. Encourage your child to give up the pacifier and thumb as they get older. After age 5, these habits may seriously affect the permanent teeth.

Q. Why are baby teeth important?
A. Baby or primary teeth are just as important as adult or permanent teeth because they:

• let your child chew food and have good nutrition
• help your child to speak clearly
• guide the permanent teeth into place
• aid in jaw and face formation
• add to your baby's good health
• make a happy smile

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Q. What about teeth grinding?
A. Grinding of teeth during sleep is a common childhood habit that often stops with age when the permanent teeth begin to come through. Children who grind their teeth may wear down the back teeth. If your child has a grinding habit, tell your physician or dentist.

Q. What about injuries?
A. Injuries to young children often occur when they are learning to walk. Children like to explore and often put things in their mouths. Be sure to select toys that are recommended for your child's age. Children need to learn safety rules at a very young age to avoid injuries. When in the car, always put your child in a properly secured child seat. Call a dentist when your child:

• has a tooth knocked out
• has a tooth pushed up into the gum
• has mouth bleeding which does not stop easily
• has a broken or split tooth

Q. What causes tooth decay?
A. Germs in the mouth react with sugars in the foods we eat. This reaction makes an acid. If the acid stays on the tooth, it can cause decay. Tooth decay may cause pain and poor eating habits which can lead to malnutrition.

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Q. Is my child at risk for tooth decay?
A. Tooth decay starts with tiny spots on the teeth. If not treated, the spots get bigger and bigger until the tooth needs immediate care. See a dentist as soon as you see a spot on your child's tooth. Never let your child go to sleep with a bottle. Often, the bottle is filled with formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. When a baby falls asleep with the bottle in their mouth, the teeth are bathed in the sweet liquid all through sleep. If you do have to put your baby to bed with a bottle, make sure to fill it only with plain water. Limit the sweets your child consumes. Choose healthy low/no sugar snacks.

Q. When should my child visit the dentist for his first check-up?
A. Take your child to the dentist for a check up when he is about a year old.

Q. What can you tell me about fluoride?
A. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. There are several ways to get fluoride protection for teeth:

• Community water fluoridation (Hendersonville city water contains fluoridation).
• Fluoride supplements if fluoridated water is not available.
• Fluoride varnish, which can be painted on your baby's teeth every six months starting when your baby is about nine months old.
• Other sources are toothpaste, fluoride treatments at the dental office, and fluoride mouthrinses.

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Q. What's the best way to clean my child's teeth?
A. Clean your baby's teeth with a clean, damp cloth. Brush your child's teeth with a soft toothbrush.

Q. What if my child swallows toothpaste? Is he in danger?
A. No. However, if a young child is swallowing toothpaste frequently, it can contribute to a condition called fluorosis. This is not harmful to your child's health. But it sometimes causes white spots to form on your child's permanent teeth. This happens over a long period of time starting when a child is as young as 18 months old. This is why many dental professionals recommend no toothpaste for young children until they can adequately "spit" the toothpaste from their mouths.

Q. What can I do to teach my child dental health?
A. Please see Children's Dental Fun for ideas and activities. If you have other concerns or questions, contact: Diana Rothweiler (ext. 291) or Nancy Donnelly (ext. 240) at 692-4223.

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