In a perfectly predictable world, your child’s teeth would come in—and fall out—right on schedule, right in place. But life isn’t perfectly predictable, and teeth can erupt—or fail to erupt—in their own time and in unexpected places. Let’s look at a few of the ways your child’s teething development can differ from “typical” schedules.

• Leaving So Soon?

Sometimes a baby tooth is lost early because of injury or decay. And baby teeth are important for more than creating an adorable smile. These little teeth help your child with eating, speech, and jaw development. And they serve another purpose as well—they are essential place holders for your child’s adult teeth.

When a baby tooth is lost too early, the neighboring teeth can drift into the open space. Adult teeth waiting to arrive will tend to erupt in any space left available, whether it’s the right space or not. This can lead to bite problems and misaligned and/or crooked teeth. Depending on your child’s age, and which and how many teeth are affected, your dentist might recommend a space maintainer.

Fixed space maintainers are attached to the lost tooth’s neighboring teeth to keep them in place. Removeable space maintainers resemble retainers, and are usually recommended for older children. Both fixed and removable appliances serve to keep the baby teeth spaced apart just as they should be, preventing neighboring teeth from shifting to fill the empty spot, and making sure there’s enough room for the adult tooth to arrive right on schedule and right where it belongs.

• Hangers-On

Losing baby teeth too early isn’t the only punctuality problem that can arise with little teeth—sometimes baby teeth don’t seem to realize when they’ve worn out their welcome.

The roots of baby teeth are much smaller than those of adult teeth. When a permanent tooth starts to erupt, it pushes against the root of the baby tooth above it. This pressure breaks down the root of the primary tooth, leaving the tooth loose and just waiting to fall out.

Sometimes primary roots don’t dissolve, though, which means the permanent teeth will erupt beside those lingering baby teeth. The result is a double row of teeth. Because all these teeth in one small jaw can cause crowding and misalignment, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras when you see two sets of teeth where only one is welcome! This is especially true for older children, when the molars start erupting.

• No-Shows

When a tooth fails to erupt at all, it’s called an embedded tooth. When a tooth is blocked from erupting, it’s called an impacted tooth. Factors like the jaw size, tooth size, genetics, trauma, and medical conditions can affect eruption.

There’s no perfect eruption schedule for every child. Even typical eruption charts provide a range of several months to several years during which baby teeth arrive, baby teeth are lost, and adult teeth appear.  But any time you have any concerns about your child’s tooth development, talk to Drs. Cartsos and Zavras to see whether the situation will correct itself in time or whether treatment is recommended.

If the unpredictable occurs in your child’s teething schedule, working proactively with our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts  dental team is the best way to create a lifetime of predictably happy, healthy smiles.

Many people are not aware that cancer may develop in the mouth and/or the oropharynx. Fortunately, your dentists at Convivial Dental are always on the lookout for suspicious symptoms every time they examine you. 

The numbers are staggering. There will be more than 50,000 newly diagnosed cases this year in the United States. Oral cancer is estimated to kill one person every hour, 24 hours a day. 

While some oral conditions such as cold sores are extremely painful, oral cancer may appear as a non-painful ulcer that does not heal. 

Often, white plaque lesions called leukoplakia are first to appear. They are not painful and cause no other symptoms. They may sit dormant for years, only to develop to malignancy suddenly. That is why we call them “pre-malignancies”. 

At Convivial Dental we believe that our patient’s total oral health doesn’t stop with just filling cavities. That’s why we pay attention to changes of the hard tissues and the soft tissues that lead to early detection of abnormalities. When such discoveries require further investigation, we work with a network of oral medicine specialists to refer you quickly to centers of excellence.

Survival is improving, but oral cancer causes significant morbidity and affects the patient’s quality of life. That’s why early detection is vital. 

Scientific studies show that Stage I oral cancer has the best chances of complete healing. 

Some important facts:

The most serious risk factors are excessive alcohol drinking and smoking. Those who consume high levels of alcohol AND tobacco or marihuana have the highest risk. 

Chewing tobacco is an established cause of oral cancer. Early signs include white striations and submucous fibrosis.

High risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infections of the mouth are also associated with oral cancer. 

HPV related cancers appear in younger people as compared to tobacco-alcohol related cancers that usually appear later in life.

Vaccination against HPV prior to sexual initiation is key to preventing such intra-oral infections later in life. 

Cancers due to smoking and alcohol drinking tend to be more biologically aggressive than those caused by HPV.

Self inspection of visible parts of the oral cavity is important. Once per month take a good look inside your mouth for ulcers or white or red plaques (that do not rub off). 

Changes over short periods of time are important. Most traumatic or inflammatory ulcers will heal within 15 days. Ulcers that do not heal after 2-3 weeks must be examined. Similarly, premalignant lesions that used to be dormant and stable but suddenly show changes (in color, consistency or size) must be examined.

Please note that a broad range of conditions may cause such findings, so if you notice a tissue change please do not panic. Oral cancer is rare and chances are the tissue changes you may have noticed are due to a different reason. 

If you wish to read more about this type of cancer please ask us for copies of the many articles we have authored on the subject.

More than just teeth, Convivial Dental manages your complete oral health. Call us today or click below to schedule an appointment and to talk to us about how we can safeguard your family’s health with advanced cancer screening.

Click below or call 617-735-0800 today to schedule a consultation. We can’t wait to meet you!

Childhood tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, affecting nearly one in three children between the ages of two and five. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry reports that tooth decay can appear in children as young as six months old. As a parent, it is possible to spare your child from early childhood tooth decay, and potentially prevent a lifetime of oral health problems in one fell swoop.

Birth to age two

Good oral health begins before your child’s teeth ever erupt from the gums. During the first few months of life, you should be wiping your child’s gums with a damp cloth after eating. As soon as teeth appear, Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team at Convivial Dental recommend you start brushing them with a toddler toothbrush and water, and call our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office to schedule your child’s first visit. Never allow your child to go to bed with a bottle, and try to limit beverages other than water only to meal times. Children who walk around or go to sleep with bottles or sippy cups full of juice or milk are exposed to more sugars and are more likely to develop tooth decay.

Ages two to six

All of your child’s primary teeth should erupt by age three. Brush your toddler’s teeth at least twice daily with a toddler toothpaste and toothbrush. As your child gets older and learns not to swallow toothpaste, you may begin to use oral care products specially designed for preschoolers and elementary-age children. Be sure to maintain regular dental appointments and cleanings as recommended by your child’s dentist, and encourage your son or daughter to begin drinking from a regular cup. This is also the time to teach your child the importance of healthy eating habits, which includes limiting sweets and sugary desserts to mealtime.

By first grade, your child will begin to lose primary teeth. This is the time to start talking with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras about dental sealants, which can prevent tooth decay from forming on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Sealants are painless, easy to apply, and undetectable to other people.

Tips

Fluoride is an important ingredient for healthy teeth. Check to make sure the water your child drinks is enriched with fluoride. Also, brush your child’s teeth with fluoridated toothpaste, and talk to our office about whether fluoride treatments could be right for your family. For more information about preventing your child’s tooth decay, or to schedule an appointment with Drs. Cartsos and Zavras, please give us a call at our convenient Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office!

Children’s oral health differs from that of adults in a variety of ways. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras and our team want you to understand how you can provide the best care for your son or daughter’s teeth. It’s essential to understand what your child will need from you when it comes to his or her oral health in those first few years.

In-home dental care begins when your baby starts to show signs of developing the first tooth. We recommend that you bring your child to our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts office between the ages of one and two. Drs. Cartsos and Zavras will take a look at your child’s tooth development and gums during this first scheduled appointment.

The initial appointment with your little one is designed to get him or her accustomed to our office. We recommend allowing your child to be in the exam room alone with us during the first visit in order to become comfortable with our staff at an early age.

We will go over several general matters during your child’s first visit:

• Look for signs of decay or other tooth or gum problems
• Make sure your youngster doesn’t have gum disease or cavities
• Examine your child’s bite, and check for misalignment that could lead to problems in the future
• Clean the teeth, and apply fluoride if your son or daughter is old enough
• Talk to you about proper oral health care for your
• Give you some tips for brushing and flossing your child’s teeth
• Answer any questions you may have about caring for your little one’s teeth

Once your child is old enough for his or her first visit to the dentist, you should begin to schedule regular cleanings every six months. If any problems arise before a scheduled appointment, call our Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts location and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Remember, creating healthy oral health habits with your child early on is crucial. We’re here to guide you through this process and make sure your child is healthy and happy.