You are here:

Dentistry/10yr old son and teeth

Advertisement

Expert: - 2/23/2009


Question
Hello and thank you for your time.  I noticed today my son was complaining of a sore throat.  I asked him to please open wide and look in his thoat,  then I noticed he is developing a new set or other teeth are growing from his gums one on each side above I call the fang teeth.  Should I be alarmed?  we are now like alot of people with out health and dental insurance.  and I also noticed he has developed 2 or 3 white spots on his teeth,  my son does get a dirty build up on his teeth and I have to take him every 6mths for a cleaning.  Thanks  Faylene

Answer
At age 10 I would expect additional teeth to be emerging, however they should be replacing the baby teeth as the baby teeth fall out.  In your son's case the new permanent teeth seem to be emerging in abnormal positions.  In some situations it may be possible to remove some baby teeth to make room for the ectopic permanent teeth.  In other situations it will require an orthodontist to sort this out and braces to straighten the teeth.  This is something that should be brought to the attention of your son's dentist.  
Those white spots may be signs of decalcification...the first stage of decay, or they may be minor defects in the enamel which have been there all along.  This, too, should be seen by the dentist for possible treatment before it gets worse.

Dentistry

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.