PATIENTS often ask whether it’s okay for their child to suck his or her finger as a habit. Well, there should be no problem if your child does not suck their thumb for too long. Signs that this may be a problem include front teeth that no longer meet or narrowing and protrusion of the upper jaw. Usually, a child should stop sucking their finger by the time they start school, which is around three years old.

Sometimes people ask me why they need to replace missing teeth. “If I’m not in pain, why should I spend money to replace teeth I don’t need?” Let me answer that question this way: Suppose you were going to buy a car, and the dealer showed you two—one being $200,000 less. The only difference between the two cars is that the dealer took one tooth out of one of the car gears. Which car would you buy?

Suppose you decided to buy the cheaper model. Would you expect the cars to last the same period? Most probably not. You would likely find that just one missing tooth could cause multiple other problems with your car. The same can be true of your mouth.

Three components comprise and determine how your mouth functions: The teeth, the jaw joints, and the muscles of mastication. Potential and actual damage may occur if the removal of one tooth allows the remaining teeth to shift position. This affects not only the teeth but also the muscles, causing head or facial pain and jaw joint dysfunction. Uncontrollable shifting of the bite can be a very serious consequence. Many people suffer from temporomandibular joint dysfunction due to the loss of just one tooth and subsequent bite shifting. This can result in headaches, neck pain, facial pain, earache, or referred pain to associated areas.

Another question patients often ask is what a root canal is and why they need one. Inside the tooth is a small chamber containing minor blood vessels and small nerves. If this tissue dies or becomes infected, it is usually very tender to touch. The infected tissue must be removed and replaced with a substance that will not become re-infected. After the root canal is completed, the tooth is crowned for long-term stability and function. This is a relatively painless and very reliable procedure. It enables the professional to assist the patient in maintaining their dentition because the tooth would otherwise have to be removed.

Another enquiry may go like this: “Our son fell and chipped his tooth. My husband says to forget it; it’s just a baby tooth. When should I take my child to the dentist?” If a baby tooth is injured, it needs to be examined. Baby teeth are subject to decay just like adult teeth, and they hold the space for the permanent teeth that will follow. Premature loss can cause problems that are expensive to correct. Usually, take your child to the dentist around two to three years of age.

Then, “I don’t like my smile. Is there anything I can do about that?” Yes. Your smile is like a picture window through which people can see you. If you’re uncomfortable with your smile, there are certainly things that can be done. Porcelain crowns can replace stained, broken, repaired, or missing teeth. Removable appliances such as partials or dentures also improve aesthetics. Orthodontic corrections are an excellent way to align teeth so that they look and function better.