You can run your child's gums with a cool spoon, clean finger, or wet gauze pad to relieve pain, or give the child a teething ring. Fever is not normal for a teething baby. If a fever occurs during teething, consult your physician. The American Dental Association advises parents to take their child to see a dentist by their first birthday. For more information on children and oral health, consult the web site of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry or the American Dental Association .
All water contains some fluoride.
Many communities fluoridate their water supply to adjust the natural level of fluoride and maintain the amount necessary to protect against tooth decay. Fluoride can help children fight tooth decay, but can also help older adults whose gums are receding avoid decay as well. The use of fluoride at the levels recommended for optimal dental health has no harmful effects. For more on the importance of fluoridation, visit the CDC web site . Back to Top of Page Brace Faces Orthodontics is concerned with the supervision, guidance, and correction of the growing of facial structures, including conditions that require movement of teeth, and the adjustment of relationships among teeth and facial bones.