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Your child has some cavities and needs fillings but she is scared!

Children will often pick up on their parents' dental anxiety. They mostly do just fine in dental chair when parents stay in the waiting room. This also allows the dental team to establish a direct relationship with your child. Prepare your child in a positive, friendly way before going in to see the dentist, then let her try it on her own.

How can my son have lots of plaque on his teeth when he brushes twice a day?

Children need close supervision to be sure they are brushing -and flossing- effectively. No matter the child's age, a parent should always monitor the final result. (Even teenagers need occasional checks).

Don't be afraid to help out, even if your child protests. Red and/or puffy and bleeding gums are signs that your child is not brushing properly.

My daughter's classmates have lost teeth, but she hasn't.

Every child is different, physically and dentally, and her teeth develop at their own pace. As long as we can see permanent teeth developing in their right positions in the right order on their dental x-rays, we are not concerned.

Aren't those baby teeth going to fall out soon? Why should I consider fixing them?

Baby teeth play many functions in the mouth. Most important they help the child chew, swallow and talk. They help with the development of the jawbone and provide protection and guidance for the permanent teeth developing below them. Losing them before the permanent teeth are ready to come out might affect the function, development of the jawbone, and cause crowding.

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children dental problems