Unless a baby tooth will fall out in the next several months, it is generally unwise to leave decay on baby teeth. Decay can easily move to other baby teeth or even to permanent teeth. It can also cause pain, and possibly lead to facial infections, and expensive orthodontic problems that could have been avoided. We recommend carefully restoring all decayed teeth to optimal health.

The top spins stably in the range from about 20 to 26 revolutions per second (rps). It is completely unstable above 30 rps and below 18 rps. After the top is spun and levitated, it slows down because of air resistance. After a few minutes it reaches the lower stability limit (1 8 rps) and falls. The spin lifetime of the Levitron can be extended by placing it in a vacuum. In some vacuum experiments, the top falls after about 30 minutes. See similar questions...

Primary (or baby) teeth act as natural spaces for the permanent teeth. If lost prematurely, the other baby teeth drift into spaces and block the erupting permanent tooth out. The presence of primary tooth also allows for the underlying permanent tooth to develop at a normal rate See similar questions...

Vincent Iannelli, M.D., our guide to Pediatrics, explains when when your baby will begin to get teeth and start teething. Difficulties and complications of arthritis can sometimes make it difficult to maintain good oral health. Carol and Richard Eustice, our Guides to Arthritis, explain why it is important to pay attention to oral health and not to wait until a toothache occurs. Describes the devastating effects of methamphetamines on teeth, a condition commonly known as meth mouth. See similar questions...

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by the frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria in plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid produced by these bacteria attack the teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin. See similar questions...

It's designed with a hammock effect which holds the baby secure. Parents in various cultures do daily strenuous work carrying their children in this fashion. As you become accustomed to wearing your baby you instinctively have a feel for how secure it is, and can carry your baby all day in a carefree manner. See similar questions...

Baby bottle tooth decay is the creation of many cavities on your baby's teeth so that only the "stumps" of the teeth can be seen. This condition can occur after only a few weeks of putting your baby to sleep with milk or juice in his or her baby bottle. Because your baby's tooth enamel (the hard outer "shell" of a tooth) is fairly soft, your baby is very vulnerable to tooth decay. Often, there is so much tooth decay that your baby's teeth cannot be restored. See similar questions...

If the baby teeth are moderately to very loose, there is no immediate treatment. Patience is recommended. This is a normal process. The tongue will push the permanent lower front teeth forward. If the teeth are not very loose, your child should be seen to take an x-ray and evaluate the situation. Most children stop sucking their fingers between the ages of three to five. Sucking of a finger can have a significant effect on the bite. See similar questions...

Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding and/or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle. Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. See similar questions...

Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Some of them are necessary until a child is 12 years old or longer. Pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few of the problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected. See similar questions...

Children usually keep their front baby teeth until the ages of six to twelve and their back baby teeth until the ages of nine to twelve. Baby teeth are very important to the child's self-esteem, speech, smile and they also hold a space for the adult teeth to erupt into. Early removal of a baby tooth may lead to serious orthodontic problems. Baby teeth should only be extracted when it is time to do so or when they cannot be restored. See similar questions...

Giving an infant a sugary drink at nap or nighttime is harmful because during sleep, the flow of saliva decreases, allowing the sugary liquids to linger on the child's teeth for an extended period of time. If left untreated, decay can result, which can cause pain and infection. Severely decayed teeth may need to be extracted. If teeth are infected or lost too early due to baby bottle tooth decay, your child may develop poor eating habits, speech problems, crooked teeth and damaged adult teeth. See similar questions...

Never allow a child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquids. Clean and massage the baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the finger and gently massage the gums and gingival tissues. This should be done after every feeding. Plaque removal activities should begin upon eruption of the first baby tooth. When brushing a child's teeth, use a soft toothbrush and water. See similar questions...

If this happens outside normal opening hours, your dentist will have emergency cover. Phone the surgery anyway to found out who to call. See similar questions...

Contact your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. Baby teeth are usually not put back but the child should be seen by the dentist to check if any roots remain or other teeth have been injured. See similar questions...