We’ve all heard the phrase “too much of a good thing.” Someone who loves chocolate can get sick from overindulging in it. The same holds for your child and brushing her (or his) permanent teeth, all of which she’ll have between ages 12 and 14. Brushing improperly, too often or too vigorously can put her teeth in jeopardy for gum recession, tooth sensitivity and oral abrasion.
Everyone at the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA is enthusiastic about treating your child’s oral health. In addition to our first-class, comprehensive dental care, we also have a welcoming, patient-focused environment in which each patient and his or her parents feel at ease.
Constant fervent and incorrect brushing can make the softer cementum of the root exposed and vulnerable and, in turn, notched and easily worn away. (Cementum is the attachment site for the periodontal ligaments that hold teeth in their sockets.) These conditions lead to sensitivity and pain when teeth are exposed to cold, hot, sweet or sour foods and beverages. The risk of decay is also heightened.
Abrasion wears away enamel and, eventually, the dentin and cementum. Abrasion looks like worn, shiny and brown or yellow areas on the tooth or at the gum line. So do the formations of wedges or V-shaped serrations along the gum line.
Left untreated, abrasion and gum recession can lead to cavities and tooth loss. A pedodontist can cover up the exposed dentin with a veneer or tooth-colored filling. He (or she) also might recommend that your child use a fluoride varnish to fortify the exposed surfaces. Diminished gums might never return to the areas they originally covered. A pedodontist can advise how often your child should brush her teeth and the best method.
The office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA has sophisticated and pioneering equipment that will give us an overall view of every aspect of your child’s mouth and teeth. We set up all of our patients for a lifetime of excellent oral health. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for an appointment.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
January 2, 2025
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