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Question:—How often should my child's teeth be examined?
Answer:—Ideally this should be done every six months, or at the least, once
a year.
So long as we are ignorant of all the causes of dental decay it remains necessary
to be eternally vigilant. The first small hole—little more than a speck—may be
tucked away in some cranny and unless
the dentist with his mirror and probe and
experienced eye has a chance of finding it
in good time, the damage may be beyond
repair.
DENTAL EXAMINATIONS
Number of children examined
at school 4,778
Number of children examined
at Clinics 1,109
Number of children found
to require treatment 3,332
Again, as the teeth grow and erupt
some may be irregular or overcrowded.
The dentist by judicious attention is able,
if given the chance, to guide the growth,
so that a handsome and useful set of
teeth develop.
Question:—Is it not a waste of time to worry about filling temporary
teeth?
DENTAL TREATMENTS
Fillings:
Permanent teeth 5,331
Temporary teeth 1,632
Extractions:
Permanent teeth 1,748
Temporary teeth 4,218
Other Operations:
Permanent teeth 6,241
Temporary teeth 30
Answer:—Definitely "NO"! Temporary
teeth have a permanent value and
they must be preserved until the time when
the bigger permanent teeth replace them.
If the temporary teeth are allowed to
decay then not only will your child possibly
suffer from toothache and ill-health, but
the new teeth will develop irregularly and
may even affect the shape of the jaw.
ORTHODONTICS
Question:—What is "Orthodontia"?
Answer:—Orthodontia is the art and practice of helping your child's teeth
to grow straight.
The amount of attention a children's dentist devotes to orthodontia is to some
extent a measure of his keenness and competence.
In Barking we are fortunate in the interest our dentists show in this aspect
of their work. Just as a good gardener or nurseryman prunes, supports and tends
his young shrubs and plants, so a good dentist
watches over the growth of the child's
teeth and jaws. Direct action is not always
necessary, for in all he treats the dentist
considers the growth of the whole mouth.
Every extraction he makes, every tooth he
fills, has a bearing on the total growth of
the teeth and jaws and his every decision
will take this into account.
ORTHODONTICS
Appliances supplied 62
Attendances for adjustments 880
Attendances for extractions 321
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