Taking Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

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Most new parents are given guidance on when to bring their babies for periodic checkups with their pediatricians and to check for milestones in their child’s development.  Did you know a lot of parents might not be informed on when to bring their child in to see a dentist or how to care for their baby’s gums and teeth.

The ADA recommends starting your child’s path to good oral health at birth.  You can begin by making sure your child’s gums stay clean by wiping them with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush and a little water.  Once their teeth begin to erupt, you can start brushing twice a day with toothpaste for small children and the properly sized brush.

Regarding your child’s first dental visit, it should be sometime within the six months following the eruption of their first tooth.  Definitely try and get an initial visit scheduled by your child’s first birthday.   This way, if there are any issues or concerns, they can be addressed at the earliest possible stage, keeping any permanent problems to a minimum.

One really important issue facing the smallest of children is how baby bottle tooth decay can destroy a child’s teeth.   This happens when a child has constant exposure to sugar- laden drinks such as milk, fruit juices and even baby formula.  Here are some steps you can take to insure your child doesn’t develop this type of decay:

  • Wipe or brush your baby’s gums after each feeding.
  • NEVER put your baby or child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup filled with sugary liquids.  Water is the only choice if they insist on needing a drink.
  • If your child is always thirsty, fill their bottle or sippy cup with water during the day and only offer the other liquids at mealtimes.

Take these steps to insure the health of your child’s mouth.  As the parent, you hold the key to getting them the best start possible on their journey to good oral health!

Stop Your Child from Sucking His Thumb

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Quite often younger children will use thumb sucking to soothe and calm themselves when feeling stressed often beginning in the womb.  According to some dentists and pediatricians this is perfectly ok.   However, studies show that allowing your child to suck his thumb continuously can lead to Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD).

This means there can be a negative development of his teeth, including teeth and jaw alignment, problems with the temporomandibular joint and facial symmetry.   As far as the tongue, the tongue is forced downward in the mouth by the thumb, and the lips lose muscle tone.  A habit of a low rest position of the tongue may results possibly causing a shortening of the frenum (where the tongue is attached underneath).   This can cause problems in speech and possible other issues.

How to get your kid to stop this behavior:

Begin by trying to limit the time your child sucks his thumb.   Make a rule that he is only allowed to suck his thumb in the privacy of his room and only at naptime or bedtime.

Start small and use positive reinforcement.  Don’t turn it into a power struggle by telling your child he can’t suck his thumb at all, just try and praise him when he’s NOT sucking his thumb.  He may not even realize he is.  If you need to let him know he is sucking his thumb, do it in a non-confrontational way and only so he can become more aware of his habit.  This will help him redirect his behavior with the negative effects.

Try having an honest discussion with your child about thumb sucking and try and help him understand that you are there to help him.  Let him know you will do whatever  it takes to be there for him when he is ready to quit.

If your child gets hurt or injured, this is not the time to worry if he begins to soothe himself by thumb sucking.  This may only traumatize him more.  Lessons can only be taught when the child is open to listening and this is not that time.

If you would like additional information on this subject, check out this very informative book by Dr. Susan Heitler’s called “David Decides” at http://daviddecides.com/www.Daviddecides.com/Home.html.

Most importantly, be patient.  Habits take time to break so don’t give up!

Kids Best Eating Habits for Healthy Teeth

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Making sure your kids have strong healthy teeth comes from a good dental routine such as cleaning and flossing, but there’s another factor that we need to emphasize and that’s diet.  Good oral health has a direct relationship to our good eating habits.

In today’s fast-paced, prepackaged world, getting great nutrition can sometimes be difficult.  Moms and Dads are forever looking for a quick and easy snack or meal, but these foods often lack what our kids bodies and teeth need for optimal health.  Eating and drinking some of these foods can greatly increase the risk of tooth decay and other oral disease.  Unfortunately, this can set your child up for a lifetime of dental issues.

To help your child keep tooth decay at bay, make sure they are eating are nutritionally balanced meals in order to counteract tooth decay.  Feed meals that contain servings of fresh fruits like apples and tomatoes as well as vegetables like broccoli, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots and celery. These should make up at least half of their plate of food.  There should also be a lean protein such as chicken or fish that should be no more than the size of their fist.  Finally, a whole grain like whole wheat pasta or brown rice will complete this balanced meal.  An 8 oz glass of milk can also be substituted for the lean protein for the pickiest of eaters.  This type of meal helps maintain your child’s oral health by giving their teeth the proper calcium and micronutrients found in these types of food.  Helping the teeth stay strong and healthy.

Another thing you can do to help teach your kids great eating habits is to stop the in-between-meal snacking.  Often kids snack on highly salted or sugary foods that have little or zero nutritional value and can be detrimental to their health and the health of their teeth.  The high sugar content of a lot of junk food actually washes away the protective enamel of kids teeth.  This leaves their teeth more open and vulnerable for tooth decay and cavities.  If your kids need a snack opt for a healthier version like fresh fruits and veggies or even cheese.

These simple steps help ensure your child’s teeth are the healthiest and strongest they can be. Yet another great reason to eat a healthy and balanced diet!

How to Get Your Child to Brush Their Teeth Longer

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Getting our kids to brush their teeth isn’t always easy, not to mention getting them to brush for the two minutes that is recommended.   This is a big problem since it’s so important that our children brush their teeth often and do a thorough job.   We all know what can happen if they don’t.. tartar buildup, cavities and even gingivitis.  No parent or child wants that!

If you’re having trouble getting your child to brush for the recommended time, here are some fun ways to help get it done:

  • Start simple by trying a fun kid’s toothpaste like a tasty flavor or a favorite character.
  • Have them brush along with you so you can show them by example and help them out if they are having trouble.  Make it fun!
  • Get your child a Firefly toothbrush that has a flashing light inside that continues for two minutes or a toothbrush that plays music for the same length of time.
  • Now there is a fun little gadget on the market that sticks to your bathroom mirror and flashes green during the brushing period and turns red when it’s time to stop.
  • For a more low-tech approach , tell them the story of the Tooth Fairy and why it’s so important that they keep their teeth healthy and strong.  (www.thetoothfairyandme.com)

Whichever method you decide to use, just remember to have your kids feel their teeth with their tongue after a good brushing so they know what it’s like to have nice clean teeth.  This will help them learn to tell when they’ve done a good job brushing.  Not to mention it will help keep their teeth strong,  healthy and cavity free!

Help Your Kids Deal With Losing Their Baby Teeth

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When your child begins the process of losing their primary teeth really depends on what age they were when their baby teeth began erupting.  Most of the time the process begins by age 6 but can happen later and still be considered normal development.

Some children are very excited about the thought of losing their first tooth and a visit from the Tooth Fairy.  These children may see it as a sign of growing up and becoming a little more independent.  Others might have a little different response…fear and even panic!

If your child falls in the latter category, here are some ways in which to help them get ready for the big event:

  • Explain to your child how their body is changing and growing and part of getting bigger is to get a brand new set teeth.  If you don’t feel confident in doing this on your own, ask your pediatric dentist to help you.
  • There are many great children’s books that explain the process in a way that’s fun and easy for kids to understand.  Try reading these to your child before they begin losing their teeth.
  • If your child doesn’t already know about the Tooth Fairy, this is a great time to tell them all about her.  This can help make it more of a happy adventure for them.  Of course you can find out all about the story of the Tooth Fairy at www.thetoothfairyandme.com.
  • Have your child buy or even better, make a little pillow with you to place their tooth in to get ready for the Tooth Fairy.  Hopefully, this will help give them a feeling of control in the situation.

Just remember, this is a time of big change and it can be exciting and scary all at the same time.  Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy it with your kids.  Make memories out of this milestone to look back on with your child for years to come.

Don’t Forget to Brush Your Child’s Teeth After Breakfast

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If you think having your kids brush their teeth at night is all you have to do for their good oral health, think again.  It is so important that they brush in the morning after they eat breakfast as well and here is why…

Saliva…that’s right!  Saliva actually helps to defend the teeth against bacteria or plaque that can lead to tooth decay.  While you sleep you produce less saliva than during waking hours.  This lowers your mouth’s natural defense system.  By brushing immediately after breakfast in the morning, you can help reduce the risk of any permanent damage by eliminating any food particles or bacteria left behind from the night before and from the first meal of the day.

Since the biggest offense for kids dental health is not brushing after every meal, the best time to begin your daily brushing routine is in the morning right after breakfast.  Brushing teeth immediately following a meal that includes acidic foods or drinks, such as fruit juices, can actually wear away at your teeth’s enamel.  Brushing after breakfast can help prevent further damage of enamel wearing throughout the morning as well.

Here’s one simple rule to remember:

  • Brush twice a day until age 6 and then 3 times a day after EVERY meal from age 6 on.

So make brushing your child’s teeth part of their morning routine.  Use a yummy breakfast as an incentive or sing them a fun “wake up” song to get their day off to a happy and clean start!  Now your little ones will be on their path to healthier teeth and gums.

Get Your Child to Brush Without The Battle!

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We’ve all been there…it’s time for our kids to brush their teeth and the moaning begins.  “I’m too tired” or “AWWWWWW” seems to be the favorites.  Here are some suggestions to take the battle out of brushing.

Get your child involved in the whole process.  Allow him to pick out his toothbrush and toothpaste flavor at the store.  This will give him a sense of ownership and control in the situation.

Let your child try and brush his own teeth first.  However, until your child is about 5-6 years old, you should be responsible for making sure their teeth are clean.  Younger kids don’t have the ability to brush effectively.

Be sure to use a stepstool, if necessary, so he can see how he is brushing.  Be enthusiastic and let him know what a great job he’s doing.  If you’re pleased then he will begin to associate that positive feeling with the activity.

There are also some really fun children’s books available to get them interested in keeping their teeth and gums healthy.   The can be a really helpful resource for kids that may be more resistant to brushing.

You could also create a tooth brushing chart that you keep in the bathroom to help motivate older children by giving stickers or stamps for every successful brushing.

And of course, tell them all about the Tooth Fairy and how she can only use children’s teeth that are strong and healthy in order to help build her beautiful castle.

So if you’re tired of the battle…try some of these helpful tools and make brushing your kids teeth a much more pleasant process!

Make Sure To Floss Your Child’s Teeth

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We all know that brushing your child’s teeth is crucial to good oral health.  But did you know that flossing is also a very important part of your child’s dental routine to prevent cavities?  A lot of parents neglect this step for one reason or another but this can be very detrimental to your child’s dental health.

Once your child has two or more teeth side by side, you will need to begin a tooth flossing practice.   This helps to remove food particles and any plaque from between their teeth where tooth decay will most likely occur.

Up until your child is 8-9 years old you will most likely need to floss for them.  But you can begin teaching them the importance of flossing right away.

To properly floss your child’s teeth, have them sit facing you, or even better, have them lie down with their mouth open.  Lying down makes it easier to see way back in their mouth and takes the stress off of their neck.

Now you are ready to begin to floss as follows:

  1. Pull off 12-18 inches of dental floss and wrap one end around each of your pointer fingers.
  2. Using your thumbs as guides, make a gentle back and forth motion slowly guiding the floss up between the teeth towards the gums.  Don’t force it, take your time and don’t let the floss pop between the teeth.  This can cause your child to resist the process.
  3. Once at the gum line, pull both ends of the floss in the same direction to form a C shape against one tooth. Pull the floss tightly and move it up and down against one tooth and then the other.
  4. Repeat this step between all of the teeth. Don’t forget about the                                                                                                                                                                             backside of the last teeth in their mouth. 
  5. Make sure to have them rinse their mouth with water afterward to get rid of all the plaque and food particles loosened by the flossing.

Flossing should be done twice daily following your child’s regular tooth brushing and may be followed up by a sugar-free oral rinse if wanted.

The earlier you begin teaching your child the importance of not only brushing but flossing too, the more you encourage your child to have good oral hygiene habits throughout their life.