N
%Begin Specialist Answers on Dental Work that needs Attention Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Dental Health
Specialist Answers on Dental Work that needs Attention
By Dr. James E JacobsReviewed: September 21, 2009Fact-CheckedQ1.
visibility
412 views
thumb_up
15 likes
C
My son has lost his first loose tooth from the bottom front area of his mouth. He is 4 ½ years old and has not had any trauma to his mouth.
thumb_up
21 likes
M
Although he did get his teeth very early as a baby, I am concerned that it is too early for him to be losing teeth, as I have only found resources that say that children lose their primary teeth at around age 6. Should I be concerned?
thumb_up
16 likes
V
— Michele, California Fortunately there is a wide range of normalcy for tooth loss in young children. Anywhere from age 4 ½ to 8 years old is an acceptable range to lose those particular teeth, even though the average child starts losing them at around age 6.
thumb_up
4 likes
S
I would not be too concerned that your son has lost his first tooth at 4 ½, especially since you stated that he did get his primary teeth earlier than other kids typically do. However, dentists have several concerns if primary teeth are lost too early, which include the risk of:Delayed eruption of the permanent teeth in that areaThe closing of the space where the tooth was lost, preventing enough room for the permanent tooth to come inA change in the child's bite, since teeth tend to shift where there are gaps in the mouth
Be sure to seek out dental care from a pediatric or regular dentist and have dental X-rays taken to see where his permanent teeth are right now. It is important to have the space left by his lost tooth evaluated by a dentist, who can make sure there's enough room for his permanent tooth to come into the arch.
thumb_up
49 likes
C
Sometimes a space maintainer is created to help prevent the surrounding teeth from moving into the spot where the permanent tooth will need to erupt. Q2. A filling came out of my tooth while I was brushing my teeth this morning.
thumb_up
6 likes
T
I can't afford to go to a dentist for a few months — what should I do to maintain the best health until then? — Teresa, North Carolina When a filling is lost, it is critical to see a dentist as soon as possible. There are several reasons for immediate concern, including:
1.
thumb_up
32 likes
E
Existing or new decay, which will eat away tooth structure. 2. Root canal problem can result, causing the need for more treatment and expense.
thumb_up
39 likes
C
3. Pain. 4.
thumb_up
2 likes
S
Aesthetic issues. Try to see your regular dentist, but because finances are a concern, you can visit either an emergency room that has a dental facility or a dental school, where fees are much lower.
thumb_up
3 likes
C
Emergency dentistry would entail placing a secure temporary material in the cavity; this would reduce the risk of future problems while you save money for a permanent filling. The small amount you will spend on emergency care will go a long way toward reducing potential future costs and severity of problems. Q3.
thumb_up
14 likes
A
My granddaughter is only 9 years old and already her permanent teeth have very little enamel. What can we do about this?
thumb_up
17 likes
D
— Ann, Alabama There are several reasons why a young person such as your granddaughter may lose a large amount of enamel. These include:Heavy grinding and clenching of the teeth. This unconscious action can wear enamel down.
thumb_up
22 likes
D
Clues that this is occurring can often be seen (or heard) when the child is sleeping. The teeth may also appear to be losing their enamel and becoming very tiny and worn down.A medical condition. Sometimes, problems that children are born with or develop cause inadequate amounts of enamel to be present.
thumb_up
48 likes
A
One example of this is called ectodermal dysplasia. Treatment must be carefully thought out and may be put off until the child reaches the late teen years, when it is decided whether permanent crowns or implants are necessary.A highly acidic diet and/or regurgitation problem. Exposure to extra acid can cause enamel loss over time, though this is unlikely since your granddaughter is only 9.
thumb_up
8 likes
S
Clearly, lack of enamel should be evaluated by an excellent dentist, oral pathologist, or oral surgeon, to determine the cause and to decide what can be done about it. Most dentists do not like to do anything permanent on young children, so it's possible that the condition may only need to be monitored at this time.
thumb_up
46 likes
I
A diagnosis and treatment plan, however, should certainly be established. Q4.
thumb_up
26 likes
A
My 14-year-old daughter has been seeing the same dentist for ten years. At her last visit, he took X-rays and did a cleaning and then told me she had eight cavities and major loss of enamel behind her lower two front teeth.
thumb_up
49 likes
J
Since she is not on any medications, he asked if I suspected bulimia. I do not see any indications of this (no weight loss, attitude change, etc.).
thumb_up
25 likes
N
Are there any other causes for this much enamel loss in a six-month to one-year time period? And what can be done now?
thumb_up
12 likes
W
– Bernice, Hawaii
Unfortunately, I can't tell you what can be done without examining your daughter. Only your dentist, who has analyzed the X-rays and seen your child clinically, can make that determination.
thumb_up
43 likes
C
Once a practitioner makes a proper diagnosis, there may be several alternative treatment plans to think over. Sometimes doing nothing — in combination with close observation — can be the correct strategy. That said, there are a number of possibilities behind excessive enamel loss, including:
Decay
Tooth material (including enamel, dentin, and cementum) can be lost because of cavities created by plaque that wears away or demineralizes the tooth.
thumb_up
5 likes
A
Decay can occur on any surface of the tooth but often occurs between teeth. Trauma
Enamel loss can occur when teeth shear or break off as the result of a blow.
thumb_up
14 likes
J
Occlusion
Subtle trauma — for example, constant clenching and grinding while awake or sleeping — can wear away enamel. This behavior is often brought on by tension, and results in a flattening of the biting surfaces of the back teeth and/or inner surfaces of the front teeth. Bulimia Bulimia or any other condition that causes ongoing vomiting.
thumb_up
33 likes
J
This type of condition can wear away enamel because acid in the gastric juices demineralizes the tooth structure. Acidic foods
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and so on — these foods can wear away enamel, especially when eaten constantly. Nervous habits
Habits such as inserting foreign objects (pencils, toothpicks, pipes, etc.) in the mouth can wear away enamel because of constant rubbing.
thumb_up
25 likes
H
Tongue rings are a new source of abrasion and shearing of enamel. Your daughter needs to be closely monitored and periodically evaluated. You might also make an appointment with her pediatrician/family physician to have her examined.
thumb_up
27 likes
B
Bulimia is a possibility, and your daughter might just be doing a good job of hiding it. Bulimics often maintain normal weight, so you might not notice any obvious cues. Q5.
thumb_up
21 likes
H
Does bulimia have any effect on your teeth? I've been trying to get help for it, but I've begun to have terrible pains in my mouth. — Liz, Illinois
(Bulimia nervosa) can have a bad effect on the health of your teeth.
thumb_up
31 likes
C
Bulimia, an eating disorder characterized by episodes of binge eating followed by vomiting, fasting, or the use of laxatives or diuretics to purge the consumed food, affects the mouth because the types of foods that are eaten and regurgitated, as well as the digestive acids that come up from the stomach during vomiting, can have an undue, and harmful, effect on the enamel of teeth. In addition, complications of bulimia, including heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux, can increase the acidity of the mouth and so contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel.
thumb_up
37 likes
D
In many patients with bulimia, such a large amount of the enamel coating dissolves that the underlying layers of the teeth are uncovered. This has unfortunate effects.
thumb_up
9 likes
M
The teeth become much more sensitive because nerve endings in the underlying layers become exposed. Dental cavities become more numerous because the underlying layers are more sensitive to decay and cavities without the protection of the enamel.
thumb_up
28 likes
E
Cosmetically, the underlying tooth structure revealed by the loss of the enamel is more yellowish or grayish than healthy white enamel. Speaking strictly about dental health, I recommend that anyone dealing with bulimia see an excellent dentist who can take a full set of X-rays and diagnose specific issues, such as cavities, root canal problems, and sensitive teeth.
thumb_up
43 likes
J
The dentist will be able to set up a complete treatment plan for you, including recommendations on foods that won’t erode your enamel further as you proceed to deal with the dental complications caused by the bulimia. Treatments for enamel loss include the use of desensitizing agents at home or in the dental office, as well as fillings, crowns, or laminates to cover missing enamel.
thumb_up
10 likes
J
And if any nerves have died, root canal treatments must be taken care of as well. But most important, bulimia patients must seek psychological counseling to stop the cycle of damage not only to their mouth but to their whole body. Learn more in the Everyday Health Dental Health Center.
thumb_up
7 likes
D
NEWSLETTERS
Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Dental Health
Byte Invisible Braces Review 2022
Byte clear aligners are a more affordable option for correcting mild to moderate dental issues at home than Invisalign or metal braces. Treatment with...By Will CarterSeptember 8, 2022
Are You Grinding Your Teeth Here s How to Know and How to Stop This Harmful HabitExtreme tooth grinding may shatter teeth, destroy dental work, trigger jaw pain and morning headaches, and provoke nagging from sleep partners addled ...By Susan K.
thumb_up
48 likes
S
TreimanAugust 18, 2022
SmileDirectClub 2022 Review Can This Clear Aligner Brand Improve Your Smile for Less Are you considering at-home clear aligner kits? Before buying, check out our SmileDirectClub review, including the pros and cons, costs, and treatment...By Will CarterJuly 15, 2022
Are You Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard Brushing your teeth incorrectly can lead to problems like tooth sensitivity and enamel wear.
thumb_up
8 likes
B
Here’s the right way to do it.By Lisa HaneyJuly 11, 2022
6 Best Affordable Invisible Braces Brands of 2022Looking for the most affordable way to straighten your teeth? Read our detailed review of the top affordable invisible braces brands to compare prices...By Will CarterJune 23, 2022
Read Our Reviews of the Best Invisible Braces in 2022Invisible aligners are a teeth-straightening alternative to traditional metal braces that could save you money and time.
thumb_up
42 likes
H
Find out which brands offer the...By Erica Anand, DDSMay 11, 2022
Does Invisalign Really Work Is Invisalign worth the hype? Will it work for your teeth-straightening needs?
thumb_up
8 likes
B
Learn more about the treatment plan, cost, pros, and cons of Invisalign...By Hannah SherkSeptember 13, 2021
Invisalign vs Braces Which Is Better When you compare Invisalign and traditional braces, which teeth-straightening option is better? Learn more about the benefits of both, how the treatment...By Nicole GleichmannSeptember 9, 2021
6 Best Electric Toothbrushes for Healthier TeethWith high-tech and convenience features, electric toothbrushes make it easier to get a more thorough clean. Find out which model is for you.By Caitlin McCormackMay 13, 2018
6 Best Teeth Whitening ProductsIf you want your smile to have that “pearly white” effect, you may want to sink your teeth into these teeth whitening products.By Caitlin McCormackMay 6, 2018
MORE IN
How to Ask for What You Need When You Have Ankylosing Spondylitis
Neuropathy and Nerve Pain Treatments
10 Surprising Early Signs of Dementia
thumb_up
32 likes
Similar Discussions
-
Bodyweight exercises to lose belly fat
-
Liverpool keeping tabs on 20 year old Premier League midfielder Reports
-
Understanding the Relationship Between Caffeine and Headaches Everyday Health
-
Barcelona 3 0 Villarreal Robert Lewandowski scores twice and passes 600 goal mark in his career BBC Sport
-
Barcelona to renew Ansu Fati contract until 2026 The News Pocket
-
Landon Collins Expected to be elevated
-
Flow Aquatics APK Download for Android
-
Modern Tuk Tuk Driving Games APK Download for Android
-
Notre Temps partenaire d ECOPOSS pour trois d bats sur l cologie Ecoposs Lille
-
Boris Johnson Is Back in Britain and Back in the Running for Prime Minister Politics Brexit
-
Comportamientos que los padres deben buscar para saber si sus hijos est n consumiendo drogas
-
u00bfIntervendr u00e1 el Banco de Inglaterra en una libra m u00e1s cerca que nunca de la paridad? Intervendr Banco
-
Bain Capital ficha al ex director financiero de Indra como nuevo CFO de ITP Aero Expansioncom Empresas İndustria
-
Perdamos el miedo a mostrar debilidad 7 reflexiones sobre la salud mental que surgieron en Profunda Mente
-
Elijah Wood Joins Season 2 Cast of Yellowjackets
-
Genshin Impact Everything Known About the Sumeru Region So Far
-
Liquid hydrogen leak interrupts Artemis I launch prep Digital Trends
-
How to Turn Off Subtitles Closed Captions on Fire Stick
-
How Dead Apps and Platforms Can Make a Comeback
-
Why I Can t Wait to Try the AirPods 3
-
Compare Dodge Hornet vs Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross CarBuzz
-
Former BMW Designer Doesn t Like The New 4 Series CarBuzz
-
Here s How The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport Broke 300 MPH CarBuzz
-
Newcastle vs Brentford live stream and how to watch Premier League game online lineups Tom s Guide
-
Geena Davis Regrets Bill Murray Arsenio Hall Interview IndieWire
-
乳腺癌 在 Mayo Clinic 治疗 妙佑医疗国际
-
Cardiovascular Surgery Clinical trials Mayo Clinic
-
Verhandlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für innere Medizin SpringerLink
-
David J Capobianco M D Doctors and Medical Staff Mayo Clinic
-
E4 E5 C4