While every child is different, most of the primary teeth (baby teeth) come in between the ages of 4 and 12 months. The following are general guidelines for the eruption of the baby teeth:

The first tooth to erupt is usually a middle, front tooth on the lower jaw, known as the central incisor. This is followed by the second central incisor on the lower jaw.

Next, the four upper incisors usually come in.

The above is followed by the first four molars, and the remaining bottom two lateral incisors. Lateral incisors are beside of (lateral to) the central incisors.

Then the cuspids, or the pointed teeth, appear.

Usually, after the child reaches 2 years old, the four second molars (the last of the baby teeth) appear.

The teeth on the upper jaw usually erupt one to two months after the same tooth on the lower jaw. There are a total of 20 primary teeth.

The teeth on the upper jaw usually erupt one to two months after the same tooth on the lower jaw. There are a total of 20 primary teeth. Usually, about one tooth erupts per month once the teeth have started coming in. There is normally a space between all the baby teeth. This leaves room for the larger permanent teeth to erupt.

When will my child’s permanent teeth come in?

Your child will begin losing his/her primary teeth (baby teeth) around the age of 6. The first teeth to be lost are usually the central incisors. This is then followed by the eruption of the first permanent molars. The last baby tooth is usually lost around the age of 12, and is the cuspid or second molar. There will be a total of 32 permanent, or adult, teeth.

Cervical Vertebral Maturation (CVM)

Skeletal age refers to the degree of development of ossification of the bone. Because of individual variations in timing, duration and velocity of growth, skeletal age assessment is essential and helpful in formulating viable orthodontic treatment plans. During growth every bone goes through a series of changes that can be seen radiologically. The sequence of change is relatively constant for a given bone in every person but the timing of the changes varies because each person has his or her own biological clock.

Periodontitis & Its Influence on Health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) primarily are a result of atherosclerosis and are the number one cause of mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence over the past decade suggests that severe periodontal disease is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk.

Several possible mechanisms may operate independently or in concert to explain this association. The mechanisms resulting in pathology from both periodontitis and CVD are similar i.e., both diseases have complex causation that includes genetic and gender predispositions, age, diabetes, smoking, social status, and stress.

Periodontal infections may directly contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and thromboembolicevents by providing repeated systemic challenges with LPS and inflammatory cytokines. The oral cavity of individuals with periodontitis represents a potentially large reservoir of Gram-negative pathogenic organisms that can penetrate gingival tissues, enter the circulation and contribute to atherosclerosis progression.

The possible relationship between infectious diseases and the genesis of atherosclerosis remains hypothetical. It is important to distinguish between the potential role of infectious diseases in atherogenesis and the possibility that infection may enhance a smoldering inflammatory process that is already present in atheromatous plaques.

Dental Decay & Its Influence on Health

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, cavities, or caries, is a breakdown of teeth due to activities of bacteria.The cavities may be a number of different colours from yellow to black. Symptoms may include pain and difficulty with eating.Complications may include inflammation of the tissue around the tooth, tooth loss, and infection or abscess formation.

The cause of caries is bacterial breakdown of the hard tissues of the teeth (enamel, dentine and cementum). This occurs due to acid made from food debris or sugar on the tooth surface. Simple sugars in food are these bacteria’s primary energy source and thus a diet high in simple sugar is a risk factor. If mineral breakdown is greater than build up from sources such as saliva, caries results.

Risk factors include conditions that result in less saliva such as: diabetes mellitus, Sjogren’s syndrome and some medications. Medications that decrease saliva production include antihistamines and antidepressants. Caries is also associated with poverty, poor cleaning of the mouth, and receding gums resulting in exposure of the roots of the teeth.

Prevention includes: regular cleaning of the teeth, a diet low in sugar, and small amounts of fluoride. Brushing the teeth twice per day and flossing between the teeth once a day is recommended by many. Fluoride may be from water, salt or toothpaste among other sources.

Treating a mother’s dental caries may decrease the risk in her children by decreasing the numbers of certain bacteria. Screening can result in earlier detection. Depending on the extent of destruction, various treatments can be used to restore the tooth to proper function or the tooth may be removed. There is no known method to grow back large amounts of tooth. The availability of treatment is often poor in the developing world. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen may be taken for pain.

Osteoporosis and Extractions

Osteoporosis is a bone-weakening disease that affects millions of people. The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that osteoporosis is a health threat for 55% of people ages 50 and older or about 44 million Americans. 80% of the 10 million Americans estimated to have osteoporosis are women. According to The National Osteoporosis Foundation, women are four times more likely than men to develop osteoporosis.

Exercise and proper nutrition for young women can help build strong bone mass for the future.

Most people believe that osteoporosis only occurs in elderly people, but osteoporosis can occur at any age and does not discriminate against race. Osteoporosis is a very serious disease that is responsible for more than 1.5 million bone fractures every year.

According to the American Dental Association, osteonecrosis of the jaw linked with osteoporosis medications has mainlybeen seen in cancer patients who are receiving the bisphosphonates intravenously. In fact, 94% of the cases reported are linked to intravenously-administered bisphosphonates while only 6% are linked with the oral medications.

Symptoms of Osteonecrosis

Loose teeth
Pain in the Jaw
Swelling
Exposed Bone
Reoccurring Infection

While osteonecrosis of the jaw associated with bisphosphonates is serious, it is also rare. Osteoporosis is a very serious disease and medications taken for osteoporosis have proven benefits with numerous studies showing that these medications do reduce bone loss.

Oral Health During Pregnancy

Can Oral Health Have an Effect on Pregnancy?

Growing evidence suggests a link between gum disease and premature, underweight births. Pregnant women who have gum disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small.

More research is needed to confirm how gum disease affects pregnancy outcomes. But it appears that gum disease triggers increased levels of biological fluids that induce labor. Data also suggests that when gum disease worsens during pregnancy, there’s a higher risk of having a premature baby.

What Oral Problems Might Develop During My Pregnancy?

Studies show that many pregnant women experience pregnancy gingivitis — when dental plaque builds up on the teeth and irritates the gums. Symptoms include red, inflamed and bleeding gums.

Pregnancy gingivitis occurs more frequently during pregnancy because the increased level of hormones exaggerates the way gums react to the irritants in plaque. However, it’s still plaque — not hormones — that is the major cause of gingivitis.

Keeping your teeth clean, especially near the gumline, will help dramatically reduce or even prevent gingivitis during your pregnancy. And substituting sweets with more wholesome foods such as cheese, fresh fruits or vegetables is better for your teeth.

Snoring & Sleep Apnoea

Snoring

Snoring is caused by the fluttering of the soft tissues at the back of your throat. As you sleep, your muscles relax and structures in the throat partially block your airway, causing the tissues of the soft palate and the tonsils to flap with each breath you take.

Snoring is most likely to occur if you are overweight or have excess soft tissue structure at the rear of your throat.

One option to help reduce snoring is a simple device worn during sleep. A night guard can be custom-made, which assists in repositioning the lower jaw, opening the airway to avoid the fluttering sounds produced as you breathe.

Sleep Aponea

Sleep apnoea is a serious condition whereby your breathing stops due to your airway being completely blocked. It is common among adults but is rare among children.

When you experience each apnoea episode, your breathing will stop and your brain will tell your body to wake up to open the air passage. This may happen numerous times during the night and you won’t necessarily wake up enough to realise what’s happened.

Due to this disruption in your sleep rhythm you will suffer each day from a severe lack of sleep. Often this condition can go unnoticed for many years and you may have accepted the exhaustion not knowing there could be a possible concern.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnoea

Frequent waking episodes at night
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring
Aggressive sleep behaviour – i.e. tossing and turning
Disrupted breathing, gagging, gasping or choking for air during sleep
Sleep apnoea patients can suffer from many health conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency and headaches.