Dr. Kotlow is a dentist who has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Periodontal Diseases.
Q. What Causes Tooth Loss?
A. Dental decay is the most common of all diseases children may have. It is more common than asthma and may affect infants as early as a year of age. Early childhood dental disease is usually the result of infants sleeping or resting with a bottle or sippy cup filled with any sugary liquid. Decay usually begins on the inside surfaces of the upper front teeth and may eventually spread to all teeth. Dental decay is an infectious disease which is not self limiting, once it begins, unless it is treated it may affect all the teeth in the mouth. Infants who nurse at-will, all night, may also develop a similar pattern, that occurs on the front surfaces of the upper front teeth. In most instances this occurs in conjunction with a low or tight upper lip attachment.
Studies have shown that dental disease is usually transmitted from the infant's mother, rather than the father. As children get older the next biggest cause of dental decay is the use of sticky sugary snacks, such as dried fruit snacks. Children should be given chewing gum containing Xylitol, a sugar that actually prevents the bacteria from adhering to the teeth and therefore aids in preventing dental disease. Fluoride is another proven safe and effective method to prevent dental disease. Children should begin using fluoride after 6 months of age.
Q. What Causes Periodontal Diseases?
A. Periodontal disease is usually a disease of adults. Gingivitis the beginning stages of periodontal disease will usually occur when children fail to brush their teeth properly, especially in children who have orthodontic appliances on.
Q. Can Periodontal Diseases Be Prevented?
A. Correct oral hygiene techniques, brushing and flossing and a healthy diet can prevent the formation of periodontal disease in children.
Q. How Does Plaque Attack the Gums?
A. Plaque is a colorless matrix (biofilm) consisting of bacteria and the necessary ingredients for the bacteria to grow and multiply causing dental disease.
Q. How Do You Stop Plaque Attacks?
A. Proper brushing and flossing, limiting sweets, all aid in preventing plaque buildup.
Q. How many times a day should I brush my teeth?
A. Children should brush and floss (when the spaces between the teeth are closed) at least 2x a day as well as after they have had sugary snacks. Until a child has the proper dexterity and coordination a parent should aid in brushing and flossing the child's teeth.
Q. What kind of toothpaste should I use?
A. Children should use a fluoridated tooth paste. However infants under the age of three should never use more than a small rice size amount of fluoride on the brush. If the infant swallows this small amount , it will not cause any problems.
Q. How to contact Dr. Kotlow if we have further questions?
A. Dr.Kotlow can be reached by e-mail at KIDDSTEETHaol.com as well as by visiting his web site KIDDSTEETH.COM The office phone number is 518-489-2571
