One of the
first questions most parents ask after being told their child may need a space
maintainer is, "What is a space maintainer, and why it is necessary?"
Sometimes
a baby tooth may be lost too early due to accident, decay or medical
conditions. When a tooth is lost too early, in most cases it is important
to maintain that space so the other teeth do not drift in to this space and
block the new adult tooth from coming in later.
Your kids' dentist will help you determine how early is too early
and whether a lost baby tooth will require a space maintainer. A space maintainer is a small metal band that
goes around one of the teeth on either side of the space where the missing
tooth is, which has loop wire that crosses over the space where a tooth is
missing and touches the other tooth.
This holds the space open for the growing adult tooth. It is important to note that baby teeth that
are lost naturally usually do not require a space maintainer, as the
permanent tooth is not far behind.
However, it is always best to check with your dentist to see if it is
necessary.
Each tooth
in your child's mouth serves several purposes:
- aids
in digestion by biting or chewing food
- aids
in speech
- holds
the posture of the jaw
- guides
permanent teeth into the correct position.
Losing a
baby tooth can affect numerous aspects of your child's life, including comfort
when eating, enunciation, health and comfort of the jaw, and the alignment of
the permanent teeth. Misaligned permanent teeth can cause jaw pain and discomfort,
decay where teeth are crowded, and poor self-esteem in a child.
Space
maintainers have been developed to address the position in which permanent
teeth come in. By maintaining the space that the lost baby tooth occupied, it
allows room for the permanent tooth to come in naturally and correctly. Failing
to maintain the space can cause more than misalignment; if teeth move forward
into the position of the lost tooth and a permanent tooth starts to erupt, it
can cause damage to the roots of other permanent teeth, resulting in
significant expense, inconvenience, or even loss of healthy teeth.
Parents of
children who have lost baby teeth due to accident, decay or medical conditions
should seek the opinion of a qualified kids' dentist to determine if their child needs
space maintainers. Be sure to explain your child's history thoroughly and
honestly and ask any questions you may have during your time with the dentist.
Playtime Dental would love to visit with you today to create a proactive
treatment plan for your child.
When
heading to your kids' dentist appointment, do you dread the process? Are you
worried about the fit your child will have once he or she knows where you are
headed? Don't be. As a parent, you play a big role in your children's
perception of dental visits. In short, you can create a more positive
experience for not only you but your child as well with a few simple steps.
1. Start dental care early.
Your child
should start seeing the dentist as early as their first tooth, but no later
than their first birthday. The earlier you introduce your child to the process
of visiting the dentist, and making it a part of their regular routine, the
better. As a result the child begins to get used to the process and knows it is
nothing to fear.
2. Be your child's role model.
Don't
speak negatively about going to the dentist. Show your child that the process
is a good thing with ample health benefits.
3. Decide if it should be a big deal.
For young
children, reading a few books about going to the dentist, talking about it and
making it a big deal is an excellent way to create positivity around this
experience. Or if your child isn't likely to benefit from that, make it
"not a big deal" but a routine process.
4. Teach your child the importance of dental care.
Good oral
hygiene starts at home with brushing and flossing. At the same time, discuss
the benefits of going to the dentist with your child. The dentist will check
your child's teeth, clean them and make sure they are in tip-top shape! Be sure
your child understands all of these benefits.
5. Do it together.
Don't
expect your children, even those in middle school, to be able and willing to go
on their own into the dental office. Be supportive. Keep conversations light
and fun. When your child is around be sure to interact with the dentist, so
that the dentist becomes more of a friend than a doctor.
All of
these steps can help to improve your child's perception of going to the
dentist. By establishing a strong connection to going to the dentist at a young
age, you can help steer your child on the right path to good oral health. Be
sure to act as a role model for your child's opinions and perception of dental
care.
