Serious Injuries To Teeth Prevention And Treatment

Dr. Tapan Satish Yeolekar is a consulting pedodontist. He has authored papers in variou s national and international scientific journals. Dr. Tapan was nominated twice in a row for ‘Best Specialist Dentist of the Year’ in 2016 and 2017’ at the prestigious Famdent awards, considered to be the ‘Dental Oscars’. He also won the ‘Dental Innovation of the Year 2017’ at the Indian Health Professionals Awards.

- Dr. Tapan Satish Yeolekar

It is well said that “ Smile is a beautiful curve that bends all odds.” In children too, a charming smile steals our heart and so it is important to preserve this smile. The word ‘trauma’, the medical term for severe injury, in the context of teeth is terrifying, when it comes to children’s teeth, it disturbs even more! Read on to learn about prevention and management of injuries to children’s teeth.

The basic facts about teeth 

We humans are blessed with two sets of teeth. Eruption of milk teeth starts at the age of six months, the first ones to erupt are the lower front teeth. Milk teeth are 20 in number, and they fully erupt by three years of age. Milk teeth are as important as their permanent counterparts. Maintaining them well until they shed off on their own is of utmost importance. Permanent teeth start erupting, one by one, around six years of age and the process is completed by the age of 12-13 years.

Front teeth are important for two main reasons – firstly they add beauty to the face, enabling the child to smile confidently. Secondly, front teeth enable the child to speak well – that is, certain sounds are produced when teeth and tongue come together. Absence of these teeth either due to decay or injuries may cause psychological impact on child and also affect his speech. Molars or back teeth are important for breaking down food and help in digesting it. Thus all teeth have their own role and importance.

Incidence of dental injuries - when and how?