Elizabeth Hart

Aboytes, D. and Lee, L. (2018). Caring for the primary dentition. ​The Journal of Professional

Excellence Dimensions of Dental Hygiene​. 16(11). 11-12.

The dentition of a child involves attentive care. From age one, new teeth have erupted

and are continuing to erupt. Pain will come with teething, but the article reports that the FDA

warns parents to stay away from the topical pain relieving gels. The best thing you can do is give

the baby a rubber teething ring to help massage the gingiva. As the teeth continue to come in,

they have the job of providing a means for children to break down the nutrient food they need

and hold space for the secondary teeth to come in. It is important that parents are informed on

proper oral hygiene instructions for the child. Problems with the primary teeth don’t just stop

once the new teeth come in, especially in the realm of caries. In a study referred to in the article,

it said that parents and caregivers preferred and understood techniques they were shown rather

than when just given verbal instructions. Fluoride can be used on children as well, although the

amount given should be monitored closely. For parents that decide to not use fluoride, xylitol can

be used as well as baking soda in toothpaste to neutralize acidity of saliva. Sealants are an

excellent way to prevent caries.

We learned in class that children have large pulp chambers and therefore more sensitive

teeth. As clinicians, we can make sure we are caring best for the patients by being careful with

the type of prophy polish we use and be aware of the type of instruments we are using, such as

avoiding the cavitron. I learned that babies should be given a rubber teething ring, rather than the

ice rings you can put in the freezer. Those rings can keep the gingiva so cold and cause damage
to it with prolonged exposure. Although we aren’t seeing children on the clinic floor now, the

information is still applicable. Someday in private practice we will see many children. Making

sure I know how to properly care for them is a part of my job as a hygienist. As well as many

adult patients on the clinic floor may have children, I can help them to better care for the oral

health of themselves and of their children.