Neglect of Baby Teeth Can Cause More Harm That You May Think!

Baby teeth are as important as permanent teeth, and proper dental care of a child’s baby teeth is essential.

Dental care often becomes a concern and a priority with most people only after they suffer pain and discomfort from a dental cavity. Many parents do not prioritize preventive dental care for their baby’s teeth, citing reasons such as, “Baby teeth are going to fall out anyway!”

The Dental Anesthesia Center provides safe pediatric dentistry care for children of all ages.

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Baby teeth are as important as permanent teeth, and proper dental care of a child’s baby teeth is essential. Cavities, plaque, unpleasant odor, and tooth decay are some of the most common and chronic dental problems increasing among children at an alarming rate.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

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kerubel G.

When we first visited The Dental Anesthesia Center, my child was experiencing severe tooth pain and multiple cavities. Dr. Sean M. Thoms and his team demonstrated excellent care, promptly assessing the situation and deciding to treat his teeth the next day. They came early in the morning, professionally addressing the cavities and placing a crown. They also followed up by phone to ensure my child was doing well. My baby is now pain-free,happy ,smiling, and sleeping soundly. This is truly a world-class dental center with an exceptional, caring team. Highly recommended.

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words and wonderful review! We’re truly grateful for your trust and so happy to hear your experience with our team was a positive one. It means a lot to know our care helped make things a little easier and brought smiles all around.

greg E.

Carrie and the Dental Anesthesia Center have always been very professional and welcoming when having work done.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you’ve had a positive experience with our team. We appreciate your trust and support!

Whitney S.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr. Thoms. My 7-year-old, who has autism, recently had dental work done here and the experience exceeded expectations. The staff was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding of his needs. They took the time to make him and us feel comfortable, never rushed, and explained everything. I am so grateful for this office and the team that made my son's dental care possible. I would recommend The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr Thoms to any parent, especially those with children who have special needs. They truly go above and beyond. ❤️

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words! We’re truly grateful for your trust in our team and Dr. Thoms. Knowing your visit was a positive and comfortable experience means the world to us — it’s exactly what we strive for with every patient and family. 💙

Joy H.

Very patient with elderly patients. Very good experience.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re pleased to know the visit was a positive experience.

Carla B.

My son has been a patient of Dr Michael Hoffman since he was 5 years old. He is now 21 years old. My son has diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and therefore I am cautious of who I select as a treatment provider. Dr. Hoffman’s office is professional, kind and I know they have his best interest at heart. I highly recommend Dr. Hoffman and staff to anyone seeking dental care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in our team over the years.

Effects of neglected dental hygiene

Pediatric dentists worldwide have always emphasized the importance of maintaining proper dental hygiene among children. Neglecting dental hygiene can lead to several problems for children, including the following:

1. Cavities and tooth decay among children are prevalent and is considered a chronic disease. It is highly infectious and spreads to other teeth as well. Sensitivity and pain are related discomforts.
2. It has been estimated by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) that about 23% of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old in the United States have cavities in their baby or primary teeth.
3. About 20% of children ages 6 to 8 have untreated cavities and tooth decay.
4. The chances of children developing cavities in their permanent teeth are much higher if they have suffered from cavities in their baby teeth.
5. Cavities and tooth decay can cause pain, sensitivity, and difficulty in speaking and eating. Pain and discomfort can cause the child to lose focus on schoolwork and other activities.
6. When cavities are ignored, they worsen, and the deeper into the tooth they go, they affect the root. Such infections require root canals that can be very painful. Moreover, untreated tooth decay can lead to several oral infections, like abscesses. An abscess is a pus formation inside the tooth or gum that needs ER treatment. It can occasionally be fatal.
7. When primary teeth fall before time, they can cause permanent teeth to erupt incorrectly and misalign. Such problems often need corrective dental and orthodontic treatment.

Prevention is Key

Regarding dental hygiene, the adage, “Prevention is better than cure,” holds true. A few good hygiene habits, a little enforcement, and the ability to say “no” at the right time can go a long way in ensuring that children have healthy teeth – primary or permanent. Here are some things you can do.

1. Restrict free access to an excess amount of sugary food and drinks.
2. Encourage eating sweets at mealtimes so that saliva in the mouth can neutralize the acids produced.
3. Ensure that children brush twice a day.
4. Monitor children while brushing their teeth to ensure they clean them properly.
5. Avoid letting children sleep with a milk bottle or a sippy cup in their mouth.
6. Remember, even excessive fruit juice and breast milk can speed up the onset of cavities.