Toothaches, Thumbsucking, and Braces:  Your child’s first teeth are more important than you think—here’s how to care for them

Your child’s first teeth are more important than you think—here’s how to care for them.

Cavities, crooked teeth, and dental visits know what to expect and how to keep your child smiling bright.

Every parent dreams of seeing their child’s smile light up a room, but good oral health is the foundation for that confident grin. Did you know that cavities in kids can lead to more than just a toothache or that early dental habits can shape a lifetime of healthy smiles? Dr. Arjav Beswal, a trusted Pediatric Dentist with over 16 years of experience, shares expert tips and actionable advice to help parents navigate common dental concerns and ensure their child’s teeth stay strong and healthy.

Let’s dive into the expert insights from Dr. Beswal as he answers common questions about children’s dental health.


1. What causes cavities in young children?  

Cavity or Tooth Decay is caused by sweet and sticky food items (like candies, sweets, chocolates, and cookies), which produce acid when they interact with bacteria present in the plaque.

Plaque is a bacterial layer on your tooth surface each time you consume food. The acid produced during the interaction of  food with the plaque bacteria then disintegrates the tooth enamel leading to cavities

In the case of toddlers, nighttime feeds lead to nursing bottle decay affecting the front upper teeth most commonly.

2. How can parents reduce their child’s risk of cavities?  

Keeping point no.1 in mind the best way to avoid cavities is to avoid sticky food in the first place or otherwise clean the tooth surface so as to avoid plaque formation on it. Rinsing after each meal or milk consumption,  even after medicines in syrup form is a must. 

A Quick scrub after night feed for toddlers with a piece of cloth goes a long way in avoiding nursing bottle decay.

3. How often should children have dental checkups?  

Bi-annual visits to the dentist along with preventive measures such as Fluoride application are highly encouraged from the age of 2 onwards.

Smaller decays can go unnoticed by the caretakers. This can lead to bigger cavities which go undiagnosed, then needing Root Canals. At regular check-ups, the dentist can catch and intervene at an earlier stage resolving with a less invasive and pocket-friendly treatment protocol.

4. Do baby teeth really matter since they’ll fall out anyway?  

It’s a no-brainer that baby teeth are as important as your permanent teeth, the last baby tooth to fall is at the age of roughly 13 years, the child needs them in order to chew and grind their food till their early teens.

To add to that a decay in the milk tooth causes the same discomfort as excruciating pain and swelling for the child, it’s unfair to put a child through such an ordeal by ignoring good hygiene for this set of teeth. 

Early loss of milk teeth also causes crooked teeth, hence extracting a milk tooth comes with its own set of problems.

5. What are early signs that a child might need braces or orthodontic treatment?   

Children with habits such as thumbsucking and mouthbreathing are at a higher risk of developing crooked teeth, such habits must be checked upon by a professional.

Losing milk teeth at an early age also causes permanent teeth to come in undesirable positions. 

Having said that some crowding and spacing at certain ages is self-correcting, therefore it is imperative to have your child checked by an orthodontist first at the age of 7-8 yrs and again at the age of 12-13 yrs. This helps in providing early intervention leading to quicker results with long-term benefits.

Your child’s dental health plays a vital role in their overall well-being. From preventing cavities to planning for braces, proactive care can make a significant difference. Dr. Arjav Beswal’s expert advice highlights the importance of routine checkups, good hygiene, and early intervention to ensure your child’s smile stays bright and healthy for years to come.
Dr. Beswal practices across Mumbai at Opera House, Hiranandani Gardens, Powai and Chembur. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact https://wa.me/919819280824 or https://wa.me/917715844646

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