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Thanks for the question. The “blisters” you are referring to are actually a normal part of losing baby teeth. Sometimes when teeth start to come through, children experience some bleeding under the skin, which typically causes small blisters or bruises on your child’s gums. The blisters, bluish in color, will disappear once the tooth comes through, and the tooth itself will still come through as it should.

Even though they can look a little frightening at first, there is no treatment required to treat blisters, nor are these blisters preventable. In fact, our bodies do a great job of cleaning up the loose ends of baby tooth loss and permanent tooth emergence, and not too long after, it’s as if no blisters ever happened. It’s important to note, however, that these blisters should not be pricked or cut as doing so may cause an infection in your child’s mouth.

If you are worried about blisters or bruises in your child’s mouth, please give us a call at our convenient Frisco office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Goodall. We especially encourage you to give us a call if your child has had one of these blisters for more than a month and the tooth has yet to come through.

Psst—here’s some time sensitive information for you and your family. If your child’s teeth are sensitive to heat, cold, sweets, acidic foods, wind and/or air, it could mean it’s time to see Dr. Goodall!

Normally, we don’t notice how external conditions affect our teeth at all. Tooth enamel—the hardest substance in the body—protects the inner tooth from outside stimuli. So, why do strong, solid teeth suddenly feel sensitive? The answer’s found in tooth anatomy.

The crown of the tooth, the part we can see above the gum line, has three distinct layers.

• Enamel, a strong mineral-rich coating, surrounds the outside of each tooth and protects the dentin and pulp inside.
• Dentin is the softer, porous middle layer of the tooth. Dentin contains thousands of tiny, fluid-filled tubules which extend to the pulp.
• In the center of each tooth is the pulp chamber, filled with nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue which keep the tooth alive and healthy.

The roots below the gumline have a similar structure, with one important exception.

• Cementum, which is not as hard and strong as enamel, covers the root surface instead of enamel.

Healthy, undamaged teeth allow us to enjoy an icy beverage, hot cocoa, a sweet treat, or a brisk walk without any dental discomfort.

When the tooth’s protective enamel covering is worn or damaged, the dentin below the enamel is exposed to external conditions. Temperature changes, air, wind, sweets and acids—all the stimuli which normally have no effect on our teeth are now transmitted through the dentin’s tubules to the nerves inside the pulp.

The pulp’s nerves respond to these sensations by sending out pain signals. Your child might complain about an annoying twinge, a sharp, brief stabbing pain, or a shocking sensation. Or it could be that your child is avoiding some favorite foods or is reluctant to eat at all.

If you suspect your child is suffering from tooth sensitivity, Dr. Goodall can help discover the cause. There are several potential sources of sensitivity, including:

Loss of Protective Enamel

When dentin is exposed, sensitivity follows! And because baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, they are even more vulnerable to tooth sensitivity.

• Aggressive Brushing

Brushing is great! Over-aggressive brushing? Not so much. Heavy-handed brushing and brushing with anything other than a soft-bristled brush can wear down mineral-rich tooth enamel to expose the dentin underneath, and is even more damaging to less-mineral-rich cementum.

• Diet

An acidic or sugary oral environment harms enamel. Consuming acidic foods and beverages erodes the minerals which make enamel so strong. Sugars give plaque bacteria the perfect fuel they need to produce enamel-eroding acids.

• Cavities

The bacteria in plaque create acids which strip minerals from tooth enamel. Over time, a hole in the enamel develops, uncovering the sensitive dentin below.

• Injuries

A crack or fracture can expose dentin, or, in severe cases, tooth pulp, to foods, heat, cold, and air.

Tooth Grinding

Bruxism, or tooth grinding, often takes place during sleep, and can apply over a hundred pounds of pressure to the teeth and jaws. Continuous grinding and clenching wears away tooth enamel, exposing dentin. Bruxism can also cause chipped and cracked teeth, as well as jaw damage and even tooth loss.

Malocclusion

Occlusion refers to the way our teeth and jaws fit together. In a healthy occlusion, the forces of biting and chewing are normal and evenly distributed. A malocclusion, or bad bite, can cause excessive or uneven pressure on teeth and jaws, leading to worn enamel, cracked teeth, and more serious bite problems.

Just as there are many causes for tooth sensitivity, your dental team at More Than Smiles has many solutions to restore your child’s comfortable, healthy smile.

Choose Healthy Dental Products

• If your family doesn’t use soft-bristled brushes, trade in your old models ASAP, or try an electric toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes and water flossers can be especially helpful for cleaning around braces if your child’s in orthodontic treatment.
• Fluoride treatments can help strengthen tooth enamel.
• Your pediatric dentist and hygienist at More Than Smiles can provide your children with lessons on proper brushing and flossing techniques and tools which will last a lifetime.

Encourage a Dental-Healthy Diet

• Cut down on acidic and sugary foods and treats.
• Check food label ingredients. The amount of acids and sugars in foods like sodas and sports drinks could surprise you!
• If your child does eat something acidic, it’s best not to brush right away. Rinsing with water and waiting an hour to brush gives the enamel time to restrengthen and remineralize.

Schedule Regular Dental Exams and Cleanings

• Regular exams will discover any cavities before they become deeper and more damaging.
• Gum disease can cause gum recession, exposing those sensitive, cementum-covered roots. Dr. Goodall will look out for any signs of early gum disease and offer tips for gum health.

Treat Injuries Immediately

• If you suspect your child has an injured tooth, call your dentist at once to prevent more serious damage or infection.

Protect Your Child’s Smile from Trauma

• A custom-fitted nightguard can prevent enamel erosion and other damage caused by bruxism.
• Insist on a mouthguard when your child plays contact sports or activities to protect teeth from injuries.
• If your child wears braces, ask your dentist about a custom nightguard or mouthguard designed to work with braces.

Consider Orthodontic Treatment

• If Dr. Goodall sees signs of bite problems, talk about the benefits of orthodontic treatment.

The first step in treating tooth sensitivity is a visit to More Than Smiles in Frisco to diagnose the source of that discomfort. Tooth sensitivity is time sensitive. Take care of small problems before they become serious ones, and you’ll help make sure your children’s smiles are something they’re not the least bit sensitive about!

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. Goodall at our Frisco office, proper hygiene habits instilled in your child early on will set up a good foundation for a healthy mouth in the future.

The short answer to this question? Yes. Because your child’s breath is a reflection of his or her oral health, you should talk to Dr. Goodall if you notice any unpleasant changes. While better dental hygiene is usually the answer for young children, bad breath can also be a symptom of more serious problems.

Oral Hygiene

Most often, bad breath is simply a sign that your child needs a little help developing proper brushing and flossing habits.

• Show your child how to use a soft-bristled brush that fits in the mouth comfortably, be sure to brush all the surfaces of each tooth, and don’t forget to angle toward the gum line. And brush long enough. Once all the baby teeth have arrived, two minutes of brushing is usually recommended for children.
• It’s not too early to floss! Adults need to handle the flossing duties for children until they can manage on their own, so it’s a perfect time to teach technique. And, just like toothbrushes, floss should be flexible and soft.
• Don’t forget the tongue. Our tongues harbor the bacteria that cause bad breath, so finish off your child’s routine with a gentle brush of the tongue.

Better oral habits mean not only fresh breath, but give those baby teeth the best chance of staying healthy until they are naturally replaced by adult teeth. After all, baby teeth not only help your child learn to eat and speak properly, but they act as necessary placeholders so the permanent teeth are able to erupt in exactly the right spot.

Talk to a member of our Frisco office team at your child’s next appointment if you are concerned about oral hygiene–they have many great suggestions for making brushing and flossing more efficient, comfortable, and even fun for your child.