The first query should be performed when the first temporary teeth (or ‘ milk ‘) erupcionam or, at most, until the child completes the first year of life, in order to establish a preventive oral health programme and intercept habits that can be harmful. Ideally, when there is good oral health, the child should be seen every six months. In situations of high risk of caries, this frequency should be reduced to three-monthly intervals.

On average, the eruption of the first dentition begins between 6 and 8 months of age, being the earliest usually girls; between the 2 and a half years and 3 years of age the 20 temporary teeth are already present in the oral cavity the definitive or permanent dentition begins between 5 and 7 years and may consist of 32 teeth, if erupcionem the third molars (wisdom teeth), which is not always the case. The eruption more early or late is not necessarily related to pathology; However, if the child does not present any tooth after completing 1 year of life, should be observed in Dental medicine consultation.

The most common symptoms are: Red gums, increased salivation, loss of appetite and nutritional habits change, anxiety, trouble sleeping. If the child present fever, vomiting or diarrhea, you should be checked by your doctor because there may be another underlying cause. The child’s discomfort can be relieved by cleaning the mouth 2-3 times a day with a wet gauze or using biters and gels available in the market.

The non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. pacifier) should be abandoned to about 3 years of age, given the possibility of AutoCorrection of disharmony in the development of the dental arches. Regarding the bottle, the habit should be abandoned, ideally, when the child turns 1 year. Some methods can be an asset, in particular dilute gradually in the water content of the bottle, so that after 2 weeks if you offer the child just water; Another way is to reduce gradually the amount of fluid until the habit ceases, being the bottle replaced, for example, by the Cup with straw or spoon.

Various measures are important in the prevention of early childhood caries lesions: promote breast feeding at least up to 4-6 months of age, put only milk or water in a bottle and offer the child above all during the day and never when you’re asleep; do not place liquids on the bottle or pacifier in sweetened; as soon as the first toss erupcionem, promote hygiene with a gauze, BA or soft brush, ideally after meals.

The color change can have several causes. So, in addition to the caries lesions, traumatic situations, also disturbances in the formation of enamel and dentin, oral hygiene or extrinsic pigmentation of bacterial origin or feed, for example, can lead to this type of movement disorders. The Dentist will fit the proper diagnosis and possible intervention.

The administration of fluoride to children has been the subject of controversy. In the light of the evidence available, and in accordance with the recommendations of the Directorate General of health, priority is given to topical applications in the form of toothpastes administered on brushing since its eruption. The pills and drops previously recommended only after 3 years will be administered to children at high risk for tooth decay. In this situation, the pills must be dissolved in the mouth, slowly, preferably before bedtime. The health education activities should primarily promote the brushing with toothpaste fluoretado.

Brushing a child’s characteristics are dependent on various factors, but essentially the same age. Thus, in accordance with the norms of the General Directorate of health:

-0-3 Years: brushing held by parents from the eruption of the first tooth, 2 x/day (a mandatory at bedtime), using a gauze, BA or soft brush of appropriate size.

-3-6 Years: held by the child, gradually brushing properly supervised and assisted, 2 x/day (one of which is compulsory at bedtime), using soft brush of appropriate size. The amount of toothpaste fluoretado (1000-1500 ppm) should be similar to the size of the nail of the fifth toe.

-6 years: brushing > held the child, properly supervised and assisted if you do not have manual dexterity enough, 2 x/day (one of which is compulsory at bedtime), using soft brush (or average). The amount of toothpaste fluoretado (1000-1500 ppm) should be the size of a small pea or even 1 cm of toothpaste.

The use of wire/dental tape assists the cleaning between your teeth and should be initiated as soon as possible, believing that at around 8-10 years the child begins to have manual dexterity and autonomy required.

A fissure sealant is a kind of “varnish” that applies in fissured surface of healthy teeth in order to prevent the onset of dental caries lesions. Constitutes a cost-effective preventive resource, however its application must be based on the assessment of the risk of tooth decay and should not constitute an isolated measure but rather part of a broader program of prevention. Is usually indicated the application of fissure sealant in the first and second molars, premolars definitive, whose eruption period varies between 5-8 years and 11-14 years, respectively. The reapplication is indicated if there is a partial or total loss of the sealant, maximizing its effectiveness.