In the Know for you to Know

Growing up I was always the child in the dental chair. Check ups were a breeze for my siblings. For me, each check up brought another cavity or two. My parents chalked it up to “soft teeth.”

Fast forward to now. I’m a Mom and a Pediatric Dentist. I learned some tips and tricks that wouldn’t leave my children’s oral health up to genetics or luck. I’m happy to say that this approach has kept my children from having cavities.

It isn’t luck that contributes to good teeth. It’s about planning, consistency and adaptability.

Today, I’m sharing with you what I did to turn around my family trend of cavities and crowded teeth for my children; starting from when they were infants through their teenage years.

Cavity Prevention Tips

1. Before your infant’s 1st tooth even comes into their mouth, it’s important to wipe their gums. Use a damp washcloth after each feeding and before nap and bed-time to clean their gums and their mouth. Why? This way they become used to you being in their mouth so they won’t give you a hard time when they get older. Second, because you get used to being in their mouth so that when their teeth come in you’re in your routine.
2. Teething rings (never use gel or liquid filled) should be placed in the refrigerator only, never in the freezer. Why? Cool and cold is comforting. Frozen hurts and can stick to their gums.
3. As soon as your infant’s 1st tooth peaks through their gums it’s important to start brushing that tooth. The same goes as they get more teeth. When your child is younger than 3 years old, place a rice grain size (think of an uncooked piece of rice) amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a washcloth or soft baby brush twice a day.
4. For your toddler and pre-schooler child (starting at 3 years old) brush their teeth twice a day with a pea size (think of a small green pea) amount of fluoride toothpaste. They can spit the toothpaste out in the sink, they can let the paste drool out, or you can wipe the toothpaste off with a wash cloth.
5. Schedule your baby’s 1st dentist visit when their 1st tooth comes in. The latest should be by the time they turn 1 year old.
6. The same way every child’s tooth development is different, every child’s tooth positioning is different. For some children, orthodontic treatment may be beneficial even before their permanent teeth come in.
7. When your school age child starts playing sports, it’s time to consider a mouth guard. Why? A mouth guard protects your child’s teeth from injuries (think broken teeth).
8. Sealants are effective for preventing cavities on molars. They cover the groovy tooth surfaces with a protective coating. Why? This way nothing gets caught in the grooves of these teeth.
9. Always replace your child’s toothbrush when the bristles start to wear down. Why? They become less effective when they’re worn down.
10. With everything you have to do, it may be tempting to skip a day. Why not to? Turns out diligence and routine are the key.

How is this going for you? What tip will you share? What’s your strategy to keep your child cavity free? Tell us. We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook

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