The Children's Dental Blog for Mom's and Dad's about All Things That Matter
Author: kidstoothhotline
As a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with over ten years of experience practicing Pediatric Dentistry, I understand that parents and caregivers are in need for information to care for their children's oral health. You may not have your normal lines of communication open or you cannot easily call or visit your child’s Dentist and obtain answers to your questions. Some families may not yet have a Pediatric Dentist to call.
My expertise and knowledge can help serve as your source as I provide answers with information that is current, informative and the Gold Standards of Care which are the practice Guidelines approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
I want to help you access this important information by answering your questions through this site. You may want to submit your own individual questions or you can view my postings and answers to other families questions that may apply to your child's needs.
I am committed to helping you stay informed, after all it is all about your child.
Growing up I was always the child in the dental chair. Every check up it was as if I was destined to have another cavity. My parents chalked it up to “soft teeth run in the family.”
Then I went to dental school, got married, had children and became a pediatric dentist. Along the way I learned some tips and tricks that wouldn’t leave our children’s oral health up to genetics or luck. Today I’m happy to say that this approach has kept our children from having cavities and crooked teeth.
My fellow parents, it is not luck that contributes to good teeth, it’s about planning, consistency and adaptability. I want to share with you what I did to help decrease the family trend of cavities and crowded teeth for my children from when they were infants through their teenage years.
Decreasing The Family Trend For Cavities And Crowded Teeth
1. Before your child’s first tooth comes in it is important to wipe their gums with a damp washcloth after each feeding and before nap and bed-time.
2. Teething rings should be placed in the refrigerator only, never in the freezer. You never want anything to freeze to your child’s gums.
3. As soon as your child’s first tooth peaks through their gums it is important to start brushing with a rice grain size amount of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
4. For your pre-K child (over 3 years old) brush twice a day with a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste and there’s no swallowing.
5. You can protect your child from having fear of the dentist. As parents, we’re always saying that words and actions matter.
6. Orthodontic treatment may be beneficial even before your child’s permanent teeth come in.
7. Mouth guards are recommended to protect your child’s teeth from sports injuries.
8. Sealants are effective in preventing cavities on molars by forming a protective coating over the deep crevices so food doesn’t get caught in the grooves.
9. Always replace your child’s toothbrush after an illness.
With everything you have to do, it may be tempting to skip a day. Turns out diligence is the key.
Mommy and Daddy Love That Now I Can Stick Out My Tongue
Tongue tie is a short muscle attachment under the tongue which may restrict tongue mobility and can cause potential difficulties for breastfeeding and speech.
In our last post we talked about recognizing tongue tie, and how the tie affects breast feeding and speech. Today we’re discussing Treatments for Tongue tie.
Some doctors may take a wait and see approach to evaluate if tongue tie goes away as in some milder cases. There are an increasing number of others who recommend prompt treatment to prevent ongoing feeding difficulties for an infant, or for an older child who has speech difficulties, dental problems, and social concerns. Most cases of tongue tie are treated as soon as they are diagnosed, and depending on the child’s age, it can be done either in the office or in the operating room.
Does Tongue Tie Go Away On Its Own?
Treating Tongue Tie
Tongue tie does not really go away on its own. Sometimes the tight tie may loosen slightly as the child’s mouth grows. For some as they get older they seek to accommodate to their limited tongue movement for chewing and speech. Nonetheless there are children who continue to experience difficulties with eating and speech.
Once a child has been examined and it’s decided that the best way to address the tie is to surgically alter the attachment, you may be referred to either an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) Physician, an Oral Surgeon, or a Pediatric Dentist.
Tongue tie can be corrected in one of two surgical ways:
Frenotomy
The doctor examines the frenum and then snips it free with sterile scissors. The procedure is quick and usually there is little blood. Most times local anesthetic isn’t used because discomfort is minimal due to there being few nerve endings and blood vessels in the frenum. After the procedure, you stay for a while in the office while the baby breastfeeds. In this circumstance, the breast milk is for pain relief and as an antiseptic.
Frenuloplasty
On examination if the frenum is too thick for a frenotomy, a frenuloplasty, may be recommended. This procedure uses general anesthesia and surgical tools to free the tongue from the thick band of tissue in the bottom of the mouth. When the frenum is free the wound is closed with stitches that dissolve on their own within a couple of weeks. The child will most likely not need to stay in the hospital overnight, and will likely go home the same day as the operation. As with all surgeries there are possible complications and can include bleeding, infection, scarring, or damage to the tongue or salivary gland.
Follow-Up Care
After the procedure a follow-up appointment is usually scheduled between 5 and 7 days to check on healing in the treated area.
Your pediatrician may refer you to a speech therapist depending on how your child’s speech was affected by the tongue tie to overcome any articulation and enunciation problems.
The doctor who performed the procedure or your pediatrician may give your child simple exercises to help improve the full motion of their tongue.
Do you know a Mom who is having trouble with painful breastfeeding? Have you seen a child who is unable to stick their tongue out all the way or move it from side to side? Do you know someone whose child doesn’t want ice cream because they can’t lick the cone? Do you know a child who doesn’t want to be in the school band because they can’t play the wind instrument they want? Newborns, babies and children, tweens and adolescents can have tongue tie. Let us know if you know a family whose child has (or had) tongue tie and what they are doing (or did) to address the tie.. Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
Tongue tie is when there is a short muscle attachment under the tongue which may restrict tongue tip mobility and tongue movement. This limitation in motion can cause potential difficulties for breastfeeding and speech.
A tongue tie is something a baby is born with and can be seen in newborns, infants, children, and even adults. Pediatricians and lactation consultants are often the first to notice the tie, and maybe even before a parent.
This Is How Far I Can Stick Out My Tongue
What Is Tongue Tie?
Tongue tie is also called ankyloglossia. During pregnancy as the baby develops, the connection between the under surface of the tongue and the bottom of the mouth is too tight or too short. When the baby is born this reduces the tongue’s range of motion.
How Do I Know What Tongue Tie Looks Like?
Even though every ones tongue’s look slightly different there are a couple of ways to tell if your child has tongue tie.
The most classic appearance is if there is a small strip of what looks like gum tissue extending from the tip of the tongue to the lower jaw’s front gum area and their tongue looks heart shaped. The heart shape is more evident especially when they move their tongue or try to stick out their tongue.
Another appearance is when the attachment is behind the tip further down on the tongue and also limits tongue movement.
A third type of appearance is when the attachment is thick or stiff and is located in the middle of the underside of the tongue extending to the bottom of the mouth.
The fourth type is when you may not see the attachment, but when touching under the tongue gently with fingertips, it feels tight and the bottom of the mouth may or may not be shiny.
How Can I Tell If My Child Has Tongue Tie?
Do you know a child who can’t lick an ice cream cone or stick out their tongue as far as their friends? This child has tongue tie.
Parents typically notice their baby may be tongue tied while breastfeeding, or trying to breast feed. Babies may have trouble latching on and rather than sucking they compress Mom’s breast causing pain, or they may need long feeding times.
Sometimes Mom and Dad may notice that their child can’t move their tongue from side to side, touch the top of their mouth with their tongue, or stick their tongue out past their front teeth.
Can Tongue Tie Affect Speech?
Tongue tie does not prevent or delay the onset on speech. It may interfere with the articulation and clarity of speech.
There are certain letters and sounds we use our tongues to help us pronounce. They are: D, F, L, R, S, Sp, T, Th, and Z.
These letters and sounds need a specific amount of tongue movement to be pronounced and to be heard clearly. Otherwise it may sound like the child is mumbling.
It’s also important to know that not every child who has a tongue tie has struggles with speech.
Spoiler Alert — Check back next week for our post on Treatments for Tongue Tie.
Do you know a child with tongue tie? Or maybe you know an adult who has tongue tie? What was done (or they wish was done) to help with the tongue tie? We’d really like to know! Send us an e-mail at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
Body piercing is a popular style of self expression. You may not be surprised to see someone with a face or mouth piercing, but it may be surprising how dangerous they can be.
While everyone likes to display their personal style, tongue, lip, or cheek piercings can cause dental problems and other health consequences.
How Bad Can Mouth Piercings Be?
These types of piercings can interfere with speaking, chewing or swallowing. They can also cause pain, swelling and infections. Some can also be allergic to the metal in the piercing.
Piercings on the face and lips can lead to facial scarring. Tongue piercings can lead to nerve damage and speech problems.
Anything Else To Know About Mouth Piercings?
These piercings can also injure the gums, crack teeth, scratch teeth, cause sensitive teeth, and they can also damage fillings. The mouth jewelry may even become trapped between the teeth. Also, having a piercing in the mouth can lead to excessive drooling.
Any Recommendations About Mouth Piercings?
If your child already has a piercing keep the piercing site clean and call your pediatrician immediately if your child shows any signs of infection.
Avoid clicking the jewelry against teeth and avoid stress on the piercing. Be gentle and aware of the jewelry’s movement when talking and chewing.
Check the tightness of their mouth jewelry daily (with clean hands) to help prevent swallowing or choking if the jewelry becomes dislodged.
When taking part in sports, remove the jewelry and protect their mouth with a mouthguard.
Regular check-ups are important, and remember to brush twice a day and floss every night.
The best option is to remove mouth jewelry before it causes a problem. Don’t pierce on a whim. And remember, the piercing will be an added responsibility to your child’s and your life needing constant attention.
Do you or your child have a face or mouth piercing? How do you take care of the piercing? What are your hacks? We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Chat with us, Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
You love seeing your child’s beautiful pearly white teeth. The pure whiteness has you thinking to yourself those are the cutest teeth ever.
Then one day you notice not all their teeth are sparkling white, and in fact some look yellow. You’re thinking wait, when did that happen?
Well you’re in good company. The most common time as a parent you’ll ask about yellow teeth is when your child’s first adult teeth begin to appear.
Will All My Teeth Be Sparkly And Bright?
Baby Teeth Are White, Adult Teeth Are Not
Baby teeth are actually whiter than adult teeth. As your child gets older and their adult teeth start to come in you may see a noticeable difference in the color between the teeth. While baby teeth are more white, adult teeth tend to appear more yellower in color.
The color differences are due to the differences in the thicknesses and actual color hues of the tooth layers. Baby teeth have thinner and whiter layers so they appear more translucent. Adult teeth have thicker and different deeply colored layers so they appear more opaque.
When you’re looking at new adult teeth coming in next to baby teeth the difference is more eye-catching. As more of your child’s adult teeth come in the difference becomes less obvious.
Are There Other Reasons For Yellow Teeth?
There are lots of causes, however the 2 most common for baby teeth and adult teeth are cavities and tooth injuries.
Cavities start out as super white spots on teeth that over time cause the outer enamel shell to disintegrate leaving the inner layer of the tooth (aka dentin) exposed. This exposed part of the tooth is yellow, and that can’t be brushed back to white.
If your child injures their tooth the baby tooth can turn yellow or in rare cases the adult tooth can come in with a yellow spot.
As A Parent What Can You Do?
Talk with your child. School age children and teens have insecurities about their appearance, and their teeth are part of that. If you’ve noticed the yellow chances are they have also. Let them know that while lots of families deal with yellow teeth it’s something that you can take care of together.
Big Girl Teeth-Yeah! Not As White-Why?
Whether you’re dealing with yellow baby teeth or adult teeth be sure to keep up with your child’s daily brushing and flossing routine.
Have you wondered if it was normal for your child to have yellow teeth? What did you do about it? Share your tips with us, we’d really like to know. Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
For parents it’s all about finding creative ways to introduce and teach your child about tooth brushing and routine oral hygiene. Every child responds in their own way, and for children with Autism their reactions may be unforeseen because of communication challenges, or certain behavioral characteristics to new changes in routine and sensory sensitivities.
This is especially stressful for you when you’re trying to establish healthy dental hygiene habits and your child is overwhelmed by sounds, smells, tastes, textures, or flavors.
So what to do and where to start to overcome your tooth brushing struggles?
In our last post My Child Has Autism, How Can I Brush Their Teeth? we suggested 2 ideas. Creating a step by step picture guide book (aka story board) or an activity schedule. We included a step by step plan for you on how to assemble your own story board and activity sheet. Which one (or both) you choose, they are absolutely helpful and go a long way to establishing your daily routine.
Now that you have your story board or activity sheet ready to go it’s time for the next step–
Second, Let’s Practice
There are a lot of movements we make with our mouths when we brush, so it’s always good to practice.
1st, it’s great to start with opening wide, and staying open wide. Maybe you make it a game and count to see how long you can both stay open wide. Remember to use the phone timer to count those seconds.
2nd, let’s count teeth. How many teeth are in there? Yes you need to count all the way to the back so be sure to (you guessed it) stay open wide.
3rd, let’s brush. Put a dab of toothpaste on the brush, remember to open wide, and let’s brush those teeth slowly and gently. Maybe you can count teeth, sing a song, or use the phone timer to count. Remember your goal is 2Minutes 2X’s A Day.
For children who have taste or texture sensitivity, there are fluoride tooth pastes that come in different flavors (bubblegum, berry), or unflavored or non-foaming (sodium lauryl sulfate free). There are also choices for toothbrushes, such as a spinning or battery-powered toothbrush for children who like vibration.
4th, time to spit out the toothpaste. Spitting not happening? No problem, drooling out the toothpaste in the sink (or washcloth) and wiping with a wet washcloth is a good alternative, or skip the drooling and use the wet wash cloth.
Sometimes children need more assistance and more practice with brushing their teeth.
If brushing is challenging it may be the sensation is uncomfortable. If that’s the case then try showing the brushing on your finger first, then on their finger, then on the back of their hand, then on their lips, then just inside their mouth or pick the 2 front teeth (top or bottom their choice) and start with brushing those teeth.
Third, Help Your Child Learn The Steps For Toothbrushing
Your child’s age determines how much tooth paste goes on their brush. If they’re 3 years old and younger place a rice grain size of tooth paste on their brush. If they’re older than 3 years old place a peas size amount on their brush.
Brush the top front teeth (inside, outside, and chewing surfaces),
Brush the bottom front teeth (inside and outside),
Brush the bottom back teeth (outside, inside, and top surface),
Brush the top back teeth (inside, outside, and chewing surface),
Finally, brush all around and spit out the tooth paste.
Fourth, Develop A Reward System
Children adore receiving praise from their parents and parents are eager to show their pride in their child, so let your child know how proud of them you are.
You can also start a rewards system (such as a rewards jar or sticker book) to reinforce your pride and their positive behavior after toothbrushing is complete.
Medical and Dental Go Together
As parents you may be dealing with multiple pressing significant health issues for your child and you need to prioritize their needs. They may be taking medicines that are sugar flavored so that you can get them to take it. Going to bed with a bottle of a nutrition drink may be part of your nightly routine because your child needs to gain weight.
Please do not let their dental health take a back seat. It can be as easy as wiping their mouths, tongue and cheeks with a wet washcloth while you are holding them. Or alternating their bottle with water so they don’t fall asleep with the sugary liquid on their teeth even though you’re still wiping their teeth with a wash cloth. You can always slip in some water for them to drink during the day or begin by diluting their juice with 50% water then 75% water then 100% water.
Remember What’s Most Important
Lots of praise, hugs and smiles for both of you!
Tell us about your Story Board or Activity Sheet. How is brushing time for your family? What works for your family? Share your tip with us, we’d love to know. Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline.
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
As parents we are always looking out for our children, empowering and supporting them to achieve their best quality of life while also promoting acceptance, inclusion, and celebrating our differences. This is especially true for parents whose child has Autism or is on the Autism Spectrum.
Every child responds in their own way to events they encounter every day. For children with Autism their reactions may be unforeseen because of communication challenges, or certain behavioral characteristics such as difficulty with changes in routine and sensory sensitivities.
As a parent it can be difficult for you to look in your child’s mouth, let alone brush their teeth. For some it may be difficult to let you know their teeth are bothering them. Sometimes you notice habits like grinding their teeth, hitting their mouth and teeth, chewing on non-food objects, or eating sugary foods and drinks; which can affect their dental health.
This is also stressful for you when you’re trying to establish healthy dental hygiene habits and your child is overwhelmed by sounds, smells, tastes, textures, flavors, and your child becomes anxious.
So what to do and where to start?
First Focus On Introducing Your Home Dental Hygiene Routine
A calm place is a great way to start.
Create a step by step picture guide book (aka social story or story board) or an activity schedule. Either one or both are quite helpful and go a long way to establishing your routine.
When putting together your picture book you may want to start talking about why we have teeth. The answer is that teeth help us eat, talk and give us our smiles.
You can begin by yourself or include your child while you talk about brushing teeth as you cut and paste pictures, take family photos, or make drawings of each step of your routine.
Your guide book can include picture sections for:
Today we going to brush my teeth in the bathroom (insert picture or photo of a bathroom)
These are the times we brush our teeth every day (pictures of clock with AM and PM times)
I am going to stand in the bathroom in front of the bathroom sink (picture of bathroom sink)
My Mommy/Daddy will be in the bathroom with me and I will look at my Mommy/Daddy (picture of parent)
We are going to use a tooth brush to brush my teeth. This is my tooth brush, it’s soft (picture of your child’s tooth brush)
We are going to use dental floss to clean between my teeth. This is my dental floss (picture of your child’s dental floss)
We are going to put tooth paste on my tooth brush. This is my toothpaste (picture of tooth paste on your child’s toothbrush)
I need to open my mouth. I will open my mouth wide and stay open (picture of your child with their mouth open wide)
I need to brush my teeth for 2 minutes. This is my timer to brush my teeth (picture of your child’s timer with 2 minutes showing)
This is how Mommy/Daddy wash the tooth paste off my teeth (picture of a wet wash cloth or your child spitting into the sink)
I like this and I’m doing great (picture of smiles or thumbs up)
Mommy/Daddy are flossing and brushing my teeth now (picture of flossing and brushing teeth), Then we’ll take the tooth paste off my teeth (picture of wash cloth or your child spitting into the sink)
This is my tooth brushing timer counting down the 2 minutes I’m brushing my teeth (picture of their timer counting down)
I did a great job (picture of you both smiling together)
I may get a prize (recommended but this is up to you to decide about a small reward like a sticker, then take a picture with the sticker).
You may want to put together an activity sheet. To do this print out fun monthly calendar pages and include 2 boxes for each day of the month, 1 box to check off for AM brushing and 1 box for PM brushing and flossing (recommended but totally your decision when to include).
1 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
2 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
3 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
4 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
5 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
6 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
7 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
8 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
9 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
10 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
11 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
12 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
13 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
14 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
15 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
16 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
17 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
18 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
19 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
20 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
21 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
22 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
23 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
24 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
25 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
26 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
27 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
28 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
29 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
30 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
31 AM Brushing PM Flossing and Brushing
Sometimes this can take one sitting to complete or it may take several. What’s important is to keep going because when you’re done your creation is going to be AMAZING!
For now start putting together your family’s picture guide book and/or activity sheet, so that you’re ready for next week’s post when we discuss steps 2 through 4.
As parents we are our child’s 1st health care role model.
Our Brushing Mojo
Like everything our children’s good dental health starts with good habits at home. As parents we play an important role in developing and encouraging healthy life style behaviors for our child, which are important for their lifelong well-being.
So how do you guide your child toward positive oral healthcare? I’m sharing with you some dental home care tips to help you be successful.
Dental Healthcare Tips For Your Child’s School Age Years
Show your child how to brush their teeth by letting them watch you. Use a small soft bristle toothbrush with a flexible head with a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Check out your child’s new teeth. New adult teeth (aka forever teeth) usually start coming in around the time your child is 6 years old and continues on and off until their middle teenage years.
When packing lunch and snacks for school and family outings make healthy eating fun and include your child in deciding what to prepare.
Limit sugar. Always easier said than done. It’s not only about candy. When you’re grocery shopping take a peak at the label on crackers, cookies, chips, ketchup.
Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months. Involve them by letting them pick out the color or design. Always look for and use a soft bristle toothbrush.
Playing sports for the school team or at after-school is the time to talk about mouth guards. It’s all about injury prevention.
Watch out for juices, sodas and soft drinks! Children love these sweet drinks, but they’re also a significant cause of cavities. Instead go with water and non-sweetened drinks.
Keep track of daily brushing and flossing habits. Your child should brush once in the morning and once at night after flossing.
Settle on a schedule. Like when they were toddlers, tying brushing habits to bedtime is a good idea to create a routine for them. Try 30 minutes before bed time every night. When you’re finished it’s a good time for cuddling or reading.
Begin a small reward system. Children respond well to positive reinforcement. Think about small rewards like stickers, extra snuggle time or reading an extra story with them after brushing and before it’s light’s out for bed. This goes a long way to having an enjoyable night every night.
This is challenging and sometimes frustrating. Don’t lose sight of your short term goals and your child’s long term prize. Your goals get you to your prize which is life long dental health for your family.
Most important, remember to have fun. Children love to have fun, so have fun with your child while you install in them good dental health habits that will last them their life-time.
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