Early Childhood Dental Issues Infographic

Tooth Fairy Smiles is honored to be your choice to care for your child’s teeth. From the moment your infant’s first tooth emerges, our team is here to provide the very best care for your child. We have put together a chart filled with helpful information on common early childhood dental issues.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

The most common causes are when the baby’s teeth experience frequent, prolonged exposure to sugary drinks. Decay can occur when parents put the child to sleep with a bottle, or when using a bottle in place of a pacifier. An insufficient amount of fluoride in a child or infant’s diet can further increase the risk of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a normal and natural reflex in babies and young children. Most children will stop sucking their thumbs by age four, but if thumb sucking continues as permanent teeth come in, it can cause problems with tooth alignment and your child’s bite. Vigorous sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth

Tongue Thrusting

Tongue thrusting can occur in infants as a reflex during nursing. Furthermore, as the reflex typically dissipates when children get older, it is not considered harmful over the long term. If this behavior continues into childhood, tongue thrusting can be a sign of abnormal tongue positioning. This condition can lead to bad tooth alignment or speaking with a lisp. Symptoms of abnormal tongue thrust in toddlers and children include the tongue resting in the wrong position, prolonged sucking, open resting lips and difficulty chewing food.

Tooth Loss

Many different issues are responsible for the premature loss of baby teeth, including decay, not enough jaw space, and injury. Early tooth loss can cause neighboring teeth to shift or grow in at odd angles. Space maintainers are one way to ensure that teeth grow in straight after premature tooth loss.

Still have questions?

If you suspect your child exhibits any of these early childhood dental issues, contact Tooth Fairy Smiles. Our friendly knowledgeable staff is available to answer your question. As soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts, you can schedule an appointment for a consultation and examination.

Download the infographic PDF HERE.