Many parents don’t realize that children can actually get dental crowns, even if they have their baby teeth. Here’s what to know about children and dental crowns when it comes to restorative dentistry and primary teeth.

When Are Crowns Needed for Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth might need crowns for several reasons, primarily to ensure oral health and proper development. Children might need dental crowns if they have:

• Severe tooth decay. Children are prone to cavities due to consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and not cleaning their teeth effectively. When decay is extensive, and a filling isn’t sufficient, a crown may be recommended to preserve the tooth [1].

• Broken or cracked teeth. Kids can easily injure their teeth during play. When a break or crack affects the functionality of a tooth, a crown might be necessary to restore it.

• Developmental defects. Some children are born with enamel defects or other dental conditions requiring more substantial restoration than routine fillings.

• Root canal treatment. If a child requires a root canal on a baby tooth to treat an infection or deep decay, a crown may be placed afterward to protect the restored tooth.

Why Preserve Baby Teeth?

While baby teeth eventually fall out, they play crucial roles in a child’s development and oral health. Primary teeth hold the space for permanent teeth, guiding them into the correct position [2].

Healthy teeth are also essential for proper chewing and speech development. By addressing issues like decay and damage, crowns help prevent discomfort and support a healthy smile for your growing child.

What Happens During a Dental Crown Procedure

Getting a crown on a child’s tooth involves just a few steps:

1. Consultation and exam. Your child’s dentist will first examine the tooth and determine if a crown is necessary. If a crown is needed, the dentist will take measurements of the tooth to have a custom crown made for your child’s smile. If needed, your child may have a temporary crown placed while waiting for the permanent one [3].
2. Preparation. After the crown is ready, you’ll need to bring your child back to the dentist to have the crown placed. The procedure involves numbing the area to prevent discomfort. The dentist will then prepare the tooth, removing decay or damaged parts.
3. Fitting and placement. The custom crown will be placed and adjusted for the perfect fit over the treated tooth. Cement is used to set the crown for a permanent restoration.

Keep Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Dental crowns can be a way for children to keep their natural teeth, even baby teeth, when they have been affected by decay or other types of damage. So, if your child’s dentist says they would benefit from a crown to restore a tooth, know that this procedure can help keep your child’s smile healthy.

Sources:

1. https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/american-dental-association-releases-new-tooth-decay-treatment-guideline 
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/baby-teeth
3. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/10923-dental-crowns 

The post Do Children Get Dental Crowns If They Still Have Their Baby Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Cleaning your baby’s mouth can help remove bacteria and keep their oral cavity clean. Through proper care, your child’s teeth will be healthy when they arrive and your baby will be used to regular cleanings. This is an important part of ensuring he or she will better adjust to tooth brushing when they are a bit older. Here’s how you can effectively and safely care for your infant’s mouth.

Before Tooth Eruption

You can easily clean your child’s mouth before they have any teeth. This is usually before the age of six months, but it could be until 9 months or more until your child has his or her first tooth. To clean your infant’s mouth, take a clean piece of gauze or a clean washcloth and get it damp with clean water. Run this along both rows of gums in your baby’s mouth. It’s important that your hands are clean in addition to the cloth or gauze you’re using. The best position to do this is with your baby in your lap with their mouth below you so you can see properly into their mouth. This task is best done after each feeding!

After Tooth Eruption

When your child first starts to develop teeth, forgo the cloth or gauze and get a toothbrush. It’s important that the toothbrush is the appropriate size for your infant—many stores sell these small toothbrushes that help you easily clean inside your baby’s mouth.

It’s also crucial that the toothbrush be soft-bristled. Hard bristles are more damaging to teeth, and your baby’s new teeth should be protected. You can help by choosing a brush with very soft bristles to gently brush your child’s teeth. You can also begin using a very small amount of toothpaste, just a light smear on the brush is more than enough. When you begin using a toothbrush for your child’s mouth, you can switch to brushing teeth twice a day rather than after each feeding.

Continuing Care and Flossing

It’s important to remember that as soon as your child has teeth, they are susceptible to tooth decay. This is why taking care of their teeth is so important, especially since they’re unable to do it themselves. Once your child has two teeth that touch, you can begin flossing.

Using the proper amount of toothpaste—about the size of a grain of rice for infants—in addition to daily brushing and flossing will help them to develop healthy teeth. Once your child reaches the age of three, you can begin using more toothpaste and teaching them how to brush on their own. During this time, regular dental visits are also imperative to ensuring your child has healthy teeth for life!

You can take care of your infant’s mouth daily no matter what age they are. Begin with a clean cloth or gauze shortly after birth. Continue care by brushing and flossing once teeth come in—and as always, visit your dentist to ensure decay isn’t present in your child’s mouth!

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