In the Know for You to Know

Happy New Year 2024!

Can you believe we rang in 2024? Seems like yesterday that everyone was in awe of the new century starting, and now we’re almost at a quarter of the century. Time sure does fly.

In the spirit of this new year we’ve put together some helpful tips to make it easier for you to take care of your children’s teeth. This is because as we know, taking good care of your children’s teeth gives you the power to protect your child from cavities.

Floss And Brush That Smile

A handy tip is that the last thing that touches your child’s teeth at night is their toothbrush.

• Brushing starts and ends your day
  Make a game out of brushing your child’s teeth 2 Minutes 2X’s A Day – Once in the morning after breakfast and once at night right before their bedtime.
• Floss every night
  There are 2 rules of thumb for flossing —
  1st is to begin flossing your child’s teeth once they have any two teeth touching,
  2nd is that flossing is recommended with your every night brushing routine. The key is to floss first and brush second. This way all the yucky stuff that comes out from in-between their teeth is brushed away.
• What type of toothbrush?
  Choose a child size soft bristle toothbrush. Remember to replace it when the bristles start to wear down, which is usually every 3 to 4 months.
• How much toothpaste?
  For children under 3 years old a rice grain size (meaning a dab) of fluoridated toothpaste on a baby tooth brush or finger brush or wash cloth is the right amount. For children over 3 years old brush twice a day with a pea size amount o fluoride toothpaste. Be sure your child doesn’t swallow the toothpaste and spits it out instead. Can’t spit out? Have a wash cloth handy to wipe the toothpaste off their teeth, tongue and cheeks.

Fluoride Is Nature’s Cavity Superpower

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in most drinking water. It’s also in toothpaste and mouth rinses. There are some sources of drinking water like bottled, filtered, spring, and well waters that vary in their fluoride amount. If this is the case for you then it’s important to talk with your pediatric dentist or pediatrician about fluoride supplements. In the right amount and on a regular schedule fluoride is safe and helps prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth With Sealants

Sealants protect the grooved chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars) where most cavities are found. They are made of clear or tooth colored plastic which is brushed on to these surfaces of the tooth to help keep them cavity-free. Sealants can last for several years, and over time will need to be reapplied when necessary.

Healthy Diet Strong Teeth

It’s important to avoid all day snacking. Children should have 2-3 healthy snacks per day. These snacks are an opportunity to provide nutrients because children actually need more nutrients than they can get at meal time.

• Good food can be fun food
  Fresh fruit and veggies are always flavorful and appealing. To make eating them
  more fun you can cut their fruit and veggies into different shapes with your
  cookie cutters. Know what goes great with fruit and is good for teeth? Cheese! The calcium in cheese is healthy for growing teeth and growing bones. So it’s a win-win 2 for 1. When thinking about bread and crackers, whole grains are a great addition to
  stay on that healthy track.
• Juice is not a way to meet your child’s daily fruit and vegetable needs
  Juice, soda, and sports drinks are sugar sweetened beverages with no real nutritional value and put you on the fast track to cavities. Drinking water and plain low fat milk are the healthiest choices. Water is the best choice in-between meals and for hydration.

Help Prevent Sports Related Dental Injuries

If your child plays sports, any kind of sports, it’s best to use a mouth guard to protect their teeth. Sporting goods stores sell hard and soft types, or your pediatric dentist can make a custom mouth guard. Your child only needs to wear 1 guard, and usually the top is more comfortable and easier to fit. When it’s more comfortable and a regular part of their sports equipment it’s so much easier to wear.

What are your News Years Resolutions for healthy teeth and gums? Your resolution doesn’t have to be for a whole year. Take small steps for the next week or for this month. Tell us what you’re doing and how you’re doing. We’d really like to know!

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More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!