Dr. Christina Binert & Associates
700 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto,
Ontario M4C 3B9
Phone: 416 - 461 - 2273

Coxwell Dental Care is a Dentist in East York, Ontario.

Importatnt Information about Baby Teeth:

Why are baby teeth so important? They are just going to fall out anyway!
Baby teeth are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, your child, just like you, needs them for chewing food! Although the first baby teeth are usually lost at about six years of age, others won't fall out until your child is twelve years old! That is alot of chewing. Secondly, your child needs them for smiling. You would not want your little one to be embarassed about their appearance! Thirdly, baby teeth act as "space maintainers" so that the grown-up teeth will come in straight. Finally, if baby teeth are permitted to rot and abcess, it can affect the grown-up teeth developing underneath them..
When can I expect my baby's teeth to start coming in?
Most babies start teething at about six months of age... although some babies are born with teeth and others don't start teething until almost one year of age. It is all considered to be well within normal limits. Most children have all their baby teeth by the time they reach two and a half years of age... although again, some children are done sooner and others later. As long as the teeth are present in the jaws and are showing signs of developing, there is no need to worry.
How many baby teeth should there be?
When your child is finished teething at about two and a half years of age, there should be 20 baby teeth; ten in the top jaw and ten in the bottom jaw.
When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth, so that I can make sure my baby won't get cavities?
You should start cleaning your baby's gums even before he/she starts teething! Simply use a clean face cloth or a gauze and wipe baby's gums at bedtime. When the first few teeth are in you can still use a washcloth or switch to a very soft babies' toothbrush. It is of utmost importance to clean your child's teeth just before they go to bed. Bacteria cause most of the damage to our teeth while we sleep! Also, your child should never be put to bed with a bottle containing anything but water! If you put your child to sleep with a milk or juice bottle, their teeth can come in rotten!
When should my child start seeing the dentist?
Your child's first real check-up should be at about two and a half years of age, when all twenty baby teeth have come in. However, we feel that you should be bringing your child along before then when you come for your cleanings. We want them to get used to the dental office and feel comfortable with the people there.
When should I start worrying about my child's thumb sucking habit?
Thumb sucking is an extremely innate behaviour. Your baby was already thumb sucking while still in the womb. As such it can be a difficult habit to break. Fortunately, however, there is no need for worry until the permanent teeth begin to erupt. Most children, by the time they are four years old, only thumb suck at bedtime, and stop immediately as they fall asleep. If a child is older and is still thumb sucking, we have some simple techniques to help them quit the habit.
Is it OK to give my baby a soother?
It certainly is! As mentioned earlier, sucking is an innate behaviour, and is very satisfying and calming. By the time your child is approximately two years old, they will probably just be using their soother to fall asleep. It will be simple for you to put the soother away one day and tell your child that it is gone.
When should I start worrying about crooked teeth?
Only the most severe orthodontic problems are addressed when children are very young. Most other types of problems are best corrected after the first grown-up or permanent teeth have come in, usually between 6 and 8 years of age. So, 8-9 years is a great time for a thorough orthodontist assesment. But do not worry. We will check your child's bite at each 6 month check-up appointment and let you know right away if orthodontic treatment is recommended.
When should my baby start fluoride treatments?
Timing of your child's fluoride treatments will depend on your child's needs. If your child has cavities in their baby teeth, fluoride treatments should begin immediately.
Should my baby get fissure sealants?
Usually only the grown-up or permanent back teeth are sealed to prevent cavities. However, if your child is having cavities in their back baby teeth, we may recommend sealing them as well.
When can I expect my child's grown-up teeth to start coming in?
Most children start getting their grown-up or permanent teeth at around six years of age. But again, one year earlier or later is well within normal limits. By taking a few X-rays, we can make sure that all your child's permanent teeth are properly placed in the jaw and ready to come in. Your child's teeth are very important, and they must be taken care of. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss any of these points further... please contact us!

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