Our Blog

Many parents have concerns about their children’s teeth not falling out on time. Dr. Maryam Azadpur and our team are here to answer any questions parents may have about when children lose their teeth.

Children have 20 primary teeth that come in around age three. By about age six, these teeth will loosen and begin to fall out on their own to make room for the permanent ones. It is common for girls to lose their baby teeth earlier than boys. Most children lose their final baby tooth by age 13.

Baby teeth normally fall out in the order in which they came in. The lower center incisors are usually the first to fall, around age six or seven, followed by the upper central incisors.

If a child loses a tooth to decay or an accident, the permanent tooth may come in too early and take a crooked position due to teeth crowding. If your child loses a tooth to decay or accident, call Dr. Maryam Azadpur to make an appointment.

Some kids can’t wait for their baby teeth to fall out, while others dread the thought of losing a tooth. When your child begins to lose teeth, you should emphasize the importance of proper dental care on a daily basis to promote a healthy mouth.

Remember to:

• Remind your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice a day and offer assistance if needed
• Help your child floss at bedtime
• Limit eating and drinking between meals and at bedtime, especially sugary treats and drinks
• Schedule regular dental visits for your child every six months.
• Ask about the use of fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help prevent tooth decay.

Call Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry to learn more about caring for baby teeth or to schedule an appointment at our Simsbury, CT office!

Greetings from Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry! Fall is right around the corner and we are looking forward to the beautiful colors that arrive with the fall: brilliant oranges, yellows, reds, browns. The riot of colors is a treat for the soul as well as the eyes. Besides the beautiful colors, we are more than ready to say goodbye to the summer heat and mosquitoes and hello to chillier weather that brings with it a cozier atmosphere.

The fall days ahead have us daydreaming of our favorite cozy activities like sitting by fire pits on a cool night, making soups in the crockpot, first days of school excitement (though school is looking very different than in previous years due to new remote learning), and planting fall bulbs that will bloom in the spring! This is also the time of year for pumpkin everything: bread, pies, cookies, lattes, etc. Here is a simple recipe for a pumpkin smoothie you can try out to get your pumpkin fix:

INGREDIENTS

1 frozen banana
1/2 cup (120g) vanilla Greek yogurt*
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
1/2 cup (120ml) skim milk*
2 Tablespoons (30ml) pure maple syrup
2/3 cup (150g) pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
1 cup ice

INSTRUCTIONS

-Blend ingredients in order
-Scrape down the sides
-Add more milk to thin out if needed
-Adjust spices to taste.

In the office, we are currently running a quarterly promotion for a $500 gift card to Apple. Who couldn't use some new tech these days? For a chance to win, write a review and you will earn 1 entry. Refer a friend and earn 2. It's just that simple! Drawing will be held Oct 1. Good luck!

Since reopening with our new health and safety procedures, the office runs as smoothly and efficiently as ever. We are having patients submit a COVID-19 screening form electronically as well as all other forms that used to be done on paper in the office. Our clinical staff has done a fabulous job adhering to all safety guidelines for cleaning and sterilization too. We have had many parents tell us that they feel very safe coming to our office with their children knowing all we are doing to keep them, as well as our team, as safe as possible.

There’s nothing quite like a pandemic to bring us closer together! While we were a pretty close and strong team prior to the shutdown, this has made us all even closer. We look out for each other because what affects one of us affects us all.

We hope everyone has a fabulous and cozy start to their fall!

Quick trivia question: define “mamelon.” Some kind of warm blooded animal? No, not a member of the mammal clan, but good guess. A fruit of the gourd family? Nope! There are watermelons, and honeydew melons, and even canary melons, but no ma-melons. Those little rounded bumps you notice on the edge of your child’s permanent incisors when they first emerge? We have a winning answer!

• Why Do We Have Mamelons?

We have eight incisors, or biting teeth, in the front of our mouths—four on top and four on bottom. Mamelons are actually a clue as to how these incisors were formed. Even before a baby is born, the permanent teeth begin to take shape. Three different groups of cells develop to form the incisal edge of these front teeth. As they fuse together, they create three lobes of enamel on the erupting edge of the tooth. It’s these lobes, or bumps, that give the teeth a serrated appearance.

Whether your child’s mamelons are quite prominent or barely noticeable, if you are worried about them, relax! They are almost always a temporary part of your child’s smile, and disappear over time with chewing and normal wear. But what if the mamelons overstay their welcome?

• Cosmetic Concerns

Because mamelons are composed of enamel, without the underlying dentin layer found in the body of the tooth, they can appear translucent or a bit different in color. They might wear away unevenly, leaving the tooth edges looking misaligned. Or, they might not wear away at all if your child’s tooth eruption is delayed. Talk to Dr. Maryam Azadpur if mamelons are a cosmetic concern for you or your child. You might discover that they are wearing away naturally, or we can discuss ways to polish or smooth them down if needed. This is a painless procedure that doesn’t require an anesthetic. Generally, however, this is a matter where time will resolve the issue for you.

• Orthodontic Implications

Occasionally, mamelons might become a topic of discussion for orthodontic reasons. Sometimes, mamelons do not wear away over time because of a malocclusion (misaligned bite). Your orthodontist will let you know your child has a bite problem and can explain treatment options. Your orthodontist might also suggest smoothing away the mamelons to ensure that the edges of the incisors align correctly and symmetrically while the teeth are in the process of straightening. Again, this is not always considered a necessity, so weigh your options with your dental care provider.

So, if you notice that your child’s beautiful new teeth are bumpy or serrated as they erupt, don’t be concerned! If you have any questions about mamelons, talk to Dr. Maryam Azadpur at your next visit to our Simsbury, CT office. This is a natural occurrence and most likely just a temporary “bump” in the road. Soon enough, mamelons will be a memory—and the answer to a pretty difficult trivia question.

Creating good dental hygiene habits early in your child’s life is essential to the health of his or her teeth, even when your infant doesn’t have any. By starting now, you can set the foundation for your son or daughter’s oral health later on in life.

When do I start?

The best time to begin brushing your baby’s teeth is before that first tooth ever comes in. Wipe your little one’s gums gently with a soft washcloth soaked in warm water every day. Not only will this help to get rid of bacteria in the mouth, but it will also familiarize your child with a daily brushing routine.

What do I use?

When your child’s teeth begin to emerge, it’s time to switch to a baby toothbrush. Select one with a big grip for your hand and a small head that’s easy to maneuver in your baby’s mouth.

Your little one won’t need toothpaste until he or she is about a year old; and even then, only a small amount is necessary. Apply an amount the size of a grain of rice and move to a pea-sized amount when your infant is about two years old.

By around six years, your child will probably rinse and spit without your help. At this time, you may introduce a child-friendly fluoride mouthwash.

How do I do it?

Until about age five or six, it’s likely your child will still need your help with brushing teeth. Gently scrub over all the teeth and gums, even where teeth have yet to come in. It may be helpful to explain what you are doing and how you are doing it, so your toddler can learn to brush her or his teeth alone.

Paired with regular visits with Dr. Maryam Azadpur at our Simsbury, CT office, proper hygiene habits instilled in your child early on will set up a good foundation for a healthy mouth in the future.