Make the Most of Your Mouth

Children's Oral Health: Ask the Dentist

Dentist Steven E. Roth, DMD, answers your additional questions about children's oral health.

Question:

My 6-year-old daughter's baby tooth is still in, but her adult teeth are growing in. Now what?

Answer:

It's time to see the dentist. Your dentist may need to extract the baby tooth to make room for the permanent tooth.

Question:

My 12-year-old daughter has been complaining about one of her teeth. Last year, a small bump appeared on the gum by the tooth. I popped it, thinking it was just a blister, but it got bigger. I took her to the emergency room, and they were very dismissive about the bump. It has now been several months, and the bump has gotten larger, and her tooth hurts. Do you think the bump and the tooth pain are related?

Answer:

It sounds like there is an infection present that needs professional attention. See a pediatric dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation. Infections can be dangerous.

Question:

My son's wisdom tooth is causing him terrible pain. It has not come in all the way – only part of the tooth is visible above the gum. Do you have any suggestions to help him feel better?

Answer:

The only quick at-home remedy is to give your son ibuprofen and have him rinse his mouth with a solution of warm salt water. He may have a pericoronitis, a condition where the gum tissue surrounding a tooth becomes swollen and infected.  He needs to see a dentist, who may prescribe an antibiotic and tooth extraction.

Question:

My 8-year-old girl suffered an injury to her front teeth and lower nose. The back underside of her front teeth are bruised 'red' and the left front tooth is looser than the other. Her nose hurts up to the bridge of the nose and between her eyes and cheekbones. Is it safe to keep eye on her or is an X-ray immediately necessary?

Answer:

Your daughter should be taken to the emergency room. She may have a broken nose, a broken jaw, or a concussion. After you take her to the emergency room, a dentist should evaluate her for any root fractures, tooth bud issues, or endodontic problems.

Question:

My daughter is 6 years old. Her last tooth is coming in and her cheek has become very swollen. What can I do? I do not have insurance coverage.

Answer:

I would contact your local hospital, dental society, or dental school to see if they have a dentist who can see your daughter.

Question:

What foods can I pack in my children's lunches to promote healthy teeth?

Answer:

Great question! Pack low-sugar items such as fruits and vegetables in their lunches. Make sandwiches using whole wheat bread instead of white bread. Apples will help scrub dangerous sugars from the teeth. Drinking fluoridated water will also help protect against tooth decay. Avoid giving your children sodas and sports drinks. These drinks contain large amounts of sugar and phosphoric acid that promote tooth decay.

Question:

My daughter is 5 1/2 years old. Today, I noticed that she has a new molar coming in on the lower left side of her mouth. She still has baby teeth in the front of her mouth. Is this normal?

Answer:

There are many variations of normal tooth eruption for children. This sounds pretty normal, but I would have it checked by a pediatric dentist.

Question:

At what age do children begin to get their adult teeth?

Answer:

The normal time of adult tooth eruption for children can be anywhere between 5 and 14 years old. Girls usually slightly precede boys.

Question:

My son has lost the enamel from his two front teeth. What can I do to help him?

Answer:

You can start by taking him to the dentist for a comprehensive evaluation. A dentist can treat his enamel loss with bonding materials that can look great and feel great.

Question:

My son is 8 years old. He has pain in his ear and pain in his back molar teeth. Could these two pains be related?

Answer:

Your son's pain could be a result of several causes, including a virus, erupting teeth, or an ear infection.  First, please take your son to see the pediatrician, and then to see a pediatric dentist.

Question:

My daughter lost a permanent tooth. Can it grow back?

Answer:

If your daughter "lost a permanent tooth," did it fall out by itself? If this is the case, the tooth may not have been a permanent tooth. If it was a permanent tooth, she will have a space in her mouth that can probably be closed with orthodontics, or replaced with a dental implant when she is an adult.

Question:

My daughter lost a filling and now has a bad toothache. I placed an over-the-counter filler material in it, but she is still in a lot of pain. What can she take to dull the pain?

Answer:

Aspirin or ibuprofen usually helps ease the pain. She could have an abscessed tooth, so the best treatment may be a baby root canal or a tooth extraction. Get her to see a dentist or to an emergency room as soon as possible.

Question:

How can we stop my son from grinding his teeth?

Answer:

Teeth grinding is frequently a normal part of tooth eruption. Sometimes, if the grinding is excessive, have a pediatric dentist evaluate your son to see if an oral appliance or retainer might help.

Question:

My 5-year-old has a tooth coming in at back of her mouth. Should I be alarmed? She has yet not lost any of her baby teeth.

Answer:

This is within normal age range, especially for a girl.

Question:

My 12-year-old has been complaining of a severe toothache -- sometimes it is just one tooth that hurts, and sometimes, all of his upper teeth hurt. What can I do?

Answer:

Take your child to see a dentist for an evaluation to see if he has an infection. Infections can be very serious and may be life-threatening.

Question:

My son had a tooth pulled today. Now his face is very swollen. Is this normal?

Answer:

Swelling in the face can be normal, but it may also be a sign of infection. Immediately call the surgeon that removed the tooth to ask about the swelling.  If you cannot immediately contact the surgeon, make sure your son is taking an antibiotic. Use ice packs on that side of his face to help reduce the swelling.

Question:

My daughter had a root canal about 6 years ago. After a few months, the pain remained, and the dentist performed a second root canal on the same tooth. She is experiencing pain in the same tooth again. Why is the tooth still painful?

Answer:

Without a seeing a history and an X-ray, it is difficult to determine why her pain continues. I recommend seeing an endodontist (root canal specialist) for an evaluation.

Question:

My daughter’s gums are very and red and sore, and she has body aches. Should I take her to see a dentist or a doctor?

Answer:

The body aches make me think she may have a virus, so first take her to a doctor, and then take her to a dentist.

Question:

My grandson has had a fever, sore throat, and an abscessed back tooth. Now he has open sores on face, lip, chin, and cheek. What is it? How do we help him? He will not open his mouth so we can look inside.

Answer:

It is impossible to say without seeing him, but it may be a primary herpes virus, or one of many other viral diseases. Take him to the pediatrician!

Question:

My child has a purple ring around the roof of her mouth. She has cold symptoms and has tested negative for strep throat. What could this be?

Answer:

It sounds like it may be a virus, but it could also be as a result of a trauma -- like poking the palate with a Popsicle, or violent vomiting. Take your child to see a pediatric dentist for an evaluation.

Question:

My 7-year-old daughter just got her bottom back teeth. There is skin hanging in that area that is bothering her. Is that normal?

Answer:

It is pretty normal, and it will probably get better on its own. If it lasts more than a couple of days, take her to see a dentist.

Question:

My child had four of his front teeth removed due to decay. His permanent teeth still haven't grown in. Can I have a device placed in his mouth to maintain that space until his permanent teeth come in?

Answer:

That is sharp thinking on your part. Take your child to a dentist for an evaluation as soon as possible.

Question:

Why would a 5-year-old need to have a root canal and crown? I thought their teeth at this age were only temporary, and don't need much dental work because they will eventually fall out to make way for the adult teeth.

Answer:

Baby teeth can decay just like adult teeth. To prevent tooth decay, we need to maintain proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet.  If the tooth develops a lot of decay and the nerve becomes damaged, it can be quite painful. We also do not want to remove baby teeth early because it can lead to problems with adult teeth.

Question:

My daughter is 11 years old. She has a baby tooth that has turned pink. It doesn't hurt and is loose. What is causing the discoloration?

Answer:

Take your daughter to a dentist for an evaluation. The discoloration may be coming from a decay or nerve pulp problem. An X-ray is necessary.

Question:

My son is 10 years old; his front teeth have a lot of space between them. What is the best age for him to get braces?

Answer:

A child should have an orthodontic evaluation when they are 8 or 9 years old. Since your son is 10 years old, I strongly suggest that you take him to a dentist or orthodontist as soon as possible.

Question:

When I took my 5-year-old son to the dentist, the hygienist told me that cavities can be transferred from a parent's mouth to a child's mouth. Is this true?

Answer:

That is a great question. There are genetic factors and the presence of decay-causing bacteria that can be transmitted. As a general rule, sharing toothbrushes is not a good idea. Encourage your child to practice good oral hygiene habits, and take him to see the dentist on a regular schedule to control any decay issues.

Question:

My youngest son is starting to get his adult teeth, but whenever he gets a new adult tooth, it doesn't push the baby tooth out in a normal manner. I have had to take him to the dentist every time he gets a new tooth, just get the baby tooth pulled out. I want to know why his adult teeth won't or don't push the baby teeth out.

Answer:

That is a great question for his dentist. Your son may have a delayed eruption pattern or a discrepancy in the positioning of his permanent teeth.

Question:

Why does my son have white spots on his teeth?

Answer:

White spots can be caused by the presence of fluoride in the water, known as dental fluorosis. White spots are not necessarily a bad thing. White spots can also be caused by a child having a high fever while their teeth are still developing. If the spots are a cosmetic concern, they can be removed. Be sure to also have the spots checked to make sure they aren't cavities that are forming.

Question:

How can I teach my child to floss, and when should I start?

Answer:

The best thing to do is to start out by flossing your child's teeth for them. As their manual dexterity develops, they will start to do it themselves. I like to use the flavored flosses, because it helps make flossing a fun experience for children. Flossing videos featuring cartoon characters are also helpful.

Question:

Why have my 6-year-old grandson's permanent molars come in without any enamel? What are the treatment options? Will all of his permanent teeth be affected? We have been told the only thing that can be done is to cap his teeth.

Answer:

There are several conditions that can cause the lack of enamel, including a condition called amelogenesis imperfecta. Unfortunately, capping or crowning these teeth may be the only way to solve the problem. The good news is that there are terrific conservative and highly esthetic answers to the problem, so be sure to ask your grandson's dentist about other options.