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17 . When does
thumb-sucking become damaging to the teeth?
Generally, if the child has stopped sucking his/her thumb by age 5 there is
no permanent damage. If the child is a vigorous and constant thumbsucker,
however, there can be moderate to severe movement of teeth and prevention of
normal bone growth. |
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18 . Should my
child wear a mouthguard while playing sports?
It is strongly recommended that children wear a mouthguard while playing any
contact sport. It is always better to prevent an injury than to repair one.
The earlier a child begins to wear the mouthguard, the easier it is to
become comfortable and continue to wear it as they get older. |
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19 . What should
I do if my child gets a tooth knocked out?
If the tooth is a permanent tooth, time is extremely crucial. Immediately
stick the tooth back in the socket. Don't worry about getting it in straight
or having it turned backwards, just get it in the socket and immediately
call your dentist. If you are uncomfortable placing the tooth in the socket,
put it in a glass of milk and get your child to the dentist as quickly as
possible. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because
damage to the permanent tooth can occur. When in doubt, put the tooth in
milk and see your dentist immediately. |
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20 . What causes
gum disease?
Gum (periodontal) disease is caused by bacteria. These bacteria, if left
along the gumline, will irritate the gums and cause an inflammation
reaction. The gums then begin to bleed and swell allowing the bacteria to go
deeper under the gumline. If the inflammation is allowed to continue, the
bone will begin to demineralize and dissolve. As the bone dissolves around
the teeth, the teeth become unsupported and will fall out. Unfortunately,
pain does not occur until the final stages of the disease and treatment at
that time has very little chance of being successful. If your gums bleed
regularly, seek treatment as soon as possible. |
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