Parent’s Check List For Healthy Toddler Teeth

In the Know for You to Know

Did you know that you are your child’s 1st dental health model?

You are. This is because good dental health for children starts with good habits at home. As parents you play an important role in developing healthy behaviors for your child at a young age, and that’s important for lifelong well-being.

Brushing Teeth Like My Daddy
Brushing Teeth Like My Daddy

So how do you guide your child toward positive oral healthcare?

Here are some tips you’ll find helpful —

Dental Healthcare Tips For Your Child’s Toddler And Preschool Years

  • Show your toddler how to brush their teeth by letting them watch you. Use a small soft bristle toothbrush with a flexible head with a rice grain size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Think of the mouth like a clock, start on the top right brushing from the back to the front of their mouth. As you go around brush the cheek side, then lift their lip to brush the front teeth and then back to the cheek side. Then brush the roof of the mouth side and the tongue side. Brush the chewing and biting surfaces last.
  • Begin a regular flossing routine. The best time to start is when your child has 2 teeth that are touching, and floss all their teeth before brushing. Flossing before brushing is a really good idea, so dislodged food particles can be washed away during brushing. A fun easy way to floss is with either the hand held flossers in cool colors and shapes or with waxed child-friendly flavored floss.
  • Start a routine by selecting a consistent time every night to floss and brush. 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. Toddlers 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.
Our New Nightly Toothbrushing Saying - I Can and I Will
Our New Nightly Toothbrushing Saying – I Can and I Will

Don’t lose sight of your short term goals and the long term prize. Your goals get you to your prize which is life long dental health for your family. Also remember to have fun. Children love to have fun, so have fun with your child as you install in them good dental health habits that will last them a life time.

What’s your dental hack? Share your tip, 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!

My Child’s Medicine Can Affect Their Teeth? Really?

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Yes really.

I Know My Daughter Likes The Taste Of Her Medicine
I Know My Daughter Likes The Taste Of Her Medicine

You know why your child asks for that pink or grape medicine when they’re sick, it’s because it tastes so good. The medicine tastes so good, and they’ll take it without a peep because of the sugar flavors which are added to the medicine.

There are also other medicines like asthma medicines, antihistamines and allergy medicines which can cause dry mouth by lowering the amount of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is important because it plays a part in helping to prevent cavities.

Whether your child needs to take medicine every day or is on a limited 7 or 10 day course here’s a few things to know —

Child-friendly Flavors

Depending on your child’s age and preference the top 6 medicine flavors are: Bubblegum, Grape, Cherry, Mint, Banana, and Vanilla.

My Children Always Ask For The Banana Flavor
My Children Always Ask For The Banana Flavor

If sugar free is available, ask your pharmacist if that flavor contains Xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute and tooth friendly.

Medicine, Sugar and Teeth

Many of the medications contain sugar or sugar syrups to sweeten the taste. The longer and more frequently your child’s teeth are exposed to sugar, the greater the risk of cavities.

Another concern is that these sugared medicines are most often given right at nap time or bed time, which is when there is also a naturally occurring drop in saliva in the mouth.

Medicine, Dry Mouth, Saliva and Teeth

Asthma inhalers, nebulizers, antihistamines and allergy medicines decrease the amount of saliva in the mouth. They do this by decreasing the amount of saliva that is made by the glands.

These medicines are usually used ongoing leading to less saliva being produced so there is less saliva in the mouth, which is commonly referred to as dry mouth.

Saliva protects and coats the teeth while also washing away food particles and sugary liquids. When there is less saliva there is less protection for the teeth.

What’s A Parent To Do?

I’ve put together 3 suggestions which can help —

  • Give your child their liquid medicine between finishing a meal and nap time or bed time. This way you can brush their teeth after the medicine or use a wash cloth to wipe their mouth and teeth. Keep up with your regular brushing routine.
  • If your child has asthma you can rinse their mouth with water after their breathing treatment or using their inhaler. Then you can brush on your regular schedule.
  • Speak with your pharmacist about sugar free medicine options.

Rest assured you are doing your best and your child needs their medicine.

What’s your child’s favorite flavor? What are your hacks? We’d really like to hear from you!

Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me or Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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

Sippy Cups Are For Kids, What About Their Teeth?

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My Mommy Is Helping Me Drink From My Sippy Cup
My Mommy Is Helping Me Drink From My Sippy Cup

You’ve been waiting for this day, your baby has started eating solid foods and is drinking from a cup.

Well maybe not from a regular cup right now, but you’re introducing them to drinking from a no spill training cup. These training cups are also affectionately know as sippy cups.

Children grow to love their sippy cup, but there are a few things you should know about them.

Benefits Of Drinking From A Cup

Pediatricians and Pediatric Dentists stress the benefits of teaching your child to drink from a cup.

1st is to transition from sucking to sipping.

2nd, is that ongoing feeding from a bottle can lead early childhood cavities, which occur when a child’s teeth are constantly bathed in milk, formula, juice or other drinks.

3rd, is that drinking from a cup also helps these little mouths strengthen their smiling muscles.

The Right Cup To Choose

Sippy cups come in a variety of styles. Some have a lid with a wide spout, some have a straw, and some have a one way valve inside the lid to prevent spills.

Cups with valves may sound great but the children have to suck on the spout to get any liquid to come up from the cup and this is just like drinking from a baby bottle.

There are some parents who make their own sippy cups, where they offer their child a regular open cup with or without a straw.

If you choose a sippy cup it’s better to choose one without a valve. The cup should have a snap-on or screw-on lid with a simple spout. Also look for a sippy cup with two handles to help those little hands hold the cup easier. There are some cups that have a weighted base which helps to pull them back upright when they tip over, which is great for helping to minimize spills.

My Mom is Helping Me Learn To Drink From A Cup
My Mom is Helping Me Learn To Drink From A Cup

Healthy Beverages For Your Child’s Sippy Cup

Plain water is the healthiest drink, plus the fluoride in your tap water helps prevent cavities. P.S. fluoride is safe for children.

Plain milk is also a good choice, but remember milk also has natural sugars so it’s best to offer in small portions with a meal. This way the food and saliva help to dilute and wash away the sugar.

Flavored milks, juices (even 100% juice) and carbonated drinks have added sugars which cause cavities.

No Carrying Around The Sippy Cup My Dear Toddler

Don’t let your child carry the sippy cup around. Toddlers are often unsteady on their feet. It’s a risk if they try to walk and drink at the same time. Falling while drinking from the sippy cup has the potential to injure their mouth.

No Sippy Cups To Bed Is Best But If You Have To

When nap time and bed time come, don’t let your child go to bed with their sippy cup unless it’s filled with plain water. Sugary drinks sit in their mouths during sleep giving their teeth a sugar bath which can lead to cavities.

Congratulations, introducing a sippy cup is a huge step and worthy of a celebration!

What is your sippy cup story? Do you have a tip or a trick that made your child’s and your journey easier or more fun? Tell us, we’d really like to know. Send us an email at
kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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


Why Is My Teenager Grinding Their Teeth?

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You know what it’s like, the house is quiet, your teenager is finally sleeping, and then you hear that nightly nails on a chalk board sound coming from their bedroom. You’re thinking to yourself “Not again, what is going on?”

Teeth grinding is also called clenching or Bruxism, and is quite common especially for teenagers. So what’s a parent to do? The good news is that most teens will stop their teeth grinding habit on their own, so there’s no cause for worry.

But you’re thinking, “What do I do to stop this?”

Grinding My Teeth At Night Wakes Me Up So I Fall Asleep Studying
Grinding My Teeth At Night Wakes Me Up So I Fall Asleep Studying

What Causes Grinding?

You may be worried that your teen is afraid of something, is anxious, stressed, can’t sleep, or is having a nightmare. For some tweens and teens it may be because they are deeply concentrating on something.

However, it can be that their adult teeth are still coming in or their wisdom teeth are pushing against other teeth. When this occurs they try to compensate for the pressure they’re feeling and make their teeth match up.

Sometimes teens grind their teeth because they are deep sleepers. So even if you wake them up, the grinding will continue as they fall back asleep.

This Is Me When I Wake-up After Grinding My Teeth At Night
This Is Me When I Wake-up After Grinding My Teeth At Night

Is Grinding A Concern?

Sometimes grinding may persist, and you’re noticing that their teeth don’t have the same shape they did before, or they may look flatter. You may notice chips or cracks on teeth, they may complain about having a lot of headaches, or ear pain, or tenderness around their jaw joint (aka temporomandibular joint or tmj) or their neck muscles.

Depending on the dental age your tween or teen is, your pediatric dentist may not recommend a mouth piece (aka mouth guard) as it can affect how their teeth come into their mouth.

If your child snores that can cause them to grind their teeth and this is something to let your pediatrician know.

Sometimes teeth grinding can be due to pain from an ear infection, this is also something to talk with your pediatrician about.

What Can Parents Do?

As children become tweens and teens they tend to get more stressed out about things, which can show up as grinding during sleep. When they grind their teeth during sleep they aren’t getting the healthy restful sleep they need. Knowing how to respond to our children’s stressors is what helps us to help them.

Alleviating anxiety and stress may mean trying some exercise, looking into finding a hobby, deep breathing exercises, or yoga.

During the day your tween and teen may need to remind themselves to relax, open their mouths and smile. This way their top and bottom teeth aren’t touching so they aren’t grinding. Giving up chewing gum (or at least decreasing its frequency) may also help.

Try starting a relaxing pre-bedtime routine. A warm bath or shower, relaxing music, deep breaths or a good book and putting the phone away may help your child fall asleep in a more calm and relaxed way.

If their jaw or neck muscles hurt, you can give them a warm wet compress to hold to the area that bothers them to relieve the tension in these muscles.

Is There A Cure For Grinding?

For tweens and teens it may be a change in routine to help decrease stress and learning to relax their muscles.

You and your teen can think about establishing a routine to set the stage for peaceful quiet time to encourage healthy sleep and help your child feel relaxed at bedtime.

What approaches have you tried for your tweens and teens teeth grinding? We’d love to know your ideas, what you’ve tried, what’s working for you, what hasn’t worked. Email us at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like us or Message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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

My Child Is Grinding Their Teeth, Why?

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You’ve been there, the children are in bed, the house is quiet, you’re starting to relax and then you hear that familiar grating, nails on the chalk board sound coming from your child’s bedroom. You think to yourself “Not again, what is going on?”

I Grind My Teeth and My Parents Don't Like It
I Grind My Teeth and My Parents Don’t Like It

Teeth grinding, also called Bruxism is quite common for children and causes a lot of concern for parents. So what’s a parent to do? The good news is that most children outgrow their teeth grinding habit, so there’s no cause for worry.

You’re thinking “But what do I do?”

What Causes Grinding?

You may be worried that your child is afraid of something, is anxious, or is having a nightmare.

However it can be as simple as your child’s teeth coming in and they’re learning how to make their teeth match up with each other. After all having new teeth come in is new for them and for you.

Some children grind their teeth because they are deep sleepers. So even if you wake them up, the grinding will start again as they fall back to sleep.

Is Grinding A Concern?

Sometimes even after children get all their teeth the grinding may persist. You’re noticing that their teeth don’t have the same shape they did before or they may look flatter. For toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school age children we don’t recommend a mouth piece (aka mouth guard) as it can affect how their teeth come into their mouths and how they lose their baby teeth.

If your child snores that can cause them to grind their teeth, and it’s best to let your pediatrician know about their snoring. Sometimes teeth grinding can be due to pain from an ear infection, so again talk with your pediatrician.

Solutions For Parents

Starting a relaxing pre-bedtime routine for your child may be helpful to set the stage for healthy sleep and have your child feel confident and secure at bedtime.

Some comforting bedtime activities to help your child fall asleep in a more calm and relaxed way —

Eating a nutritious snack before bed and then brushing teeth with a silly brushing song, Taking a warm bath, Together time or Cuddle time together with your child and reading stories, Singing songs or playing soft music.

  • Checking To See Why My Son is Grinding His Teeth
  • I May Be Sleeping Peacefully Now But Wait Until I Start Grinding And The Whole House Is Up
  • I'm Helping My Mom and Dad Learn Why I'm Grinding My Teeth
  • My Covers Don't Stop The Sound Of My Teeth Grinding
  • My Mommy and Daddy Are Comforting Me Trying Too Get Me Too Stop Grinding My Teeth

What approaches have you tried for your child’s teeth grinding? We’d really like to know! Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.me Like us or Message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

Look for our post next week on Tweens and Teens Teeth Grinding

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

Why Does My Child Have Shark Teeth

In the Know for You to Know

It’s new tooth time again, and this time your child is getting their first adult tooth.

I'm 5 and I have Shark Teeth
I’m 5 and I have Shark Teeth

You’re thinking okay, baby tooth gets loose, baby tooth falls out, the tooth fairy is coming and what is it going to cost me?

Then you look in your child’s mouth and the baby tooth is still there and now the adult tooth is coming in behind it. Now you’re thinking, there’s 2 rows of teeth, that’s not supposed to happen, what’s going on? and what do I do?

The FYI On How Baby Teeth Fall Out

Around the time your child is 5 to 7 years old their bottom and top front adult teeth (aka forever teeth) start to come into their mouths.

Baby teeth start to become loose when the adult teeth push up from under the gums and naturally melts away the baby tooth’s root. Then the adult tooth grows into that same place.

Sometimes the adult tooth isn’t growing directly under the baby tooth, it’s growing a little further back behind the baby tooth. When this happens the baby tooth doesn’t fall out and the adult tooth grows in behind it.

When this happens, these 2 rows of teeth are fondly called Shark Teeth.

Why? Sharks have 2 rows of teeth.

Should You Be Worried?

The long and short answer is No.

This is relatively common even though it looks frightening.

That Adult Tooth Looks Really Big

Yes it does and they’re supposed to look that way.

The front adult teeth are about 2x’s the size of baby teeth. That’s why sometimes they don’t fit in the same spot as baby teeth.

What To Do About Shark Teeth

If the baby tooth is even a little bit loose encourage your child to wiggle it and loosen it more.

Most times the baby tooth will eventually fall out on its own, and the permanent tooth will slowly move into place. It may or may not be in the perfect position.

Remember, your child is growing and so are their jaws, as their jaws grow there is room for more teeth.

If the baby tooth isn’t loose it may be time to visit the pediatric dentist.

Showing Off My Shark Teeth
Showing Off My Shark Teeth

As a parent, it’s natural to be worried when you see those 2 rows of teeth in your child’s mouth. Knowing that it’s common will help you rest a lot easier.

What’s your Shark Tooth story? Did you have Shark Teeth when you were a child? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Like Us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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

The Holidays Are Here! The Key To Keeping Smiles Shiny And Bright

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Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays

The holidays are such a busy time of year. Special foods, decorations, gifts – so much to do in so little time, it’s no wonder your everyday routines go off course.

As parents we want to create memories and build family traditions. It is also a great time to make it a tradition to help your children maintain healthy dental habits even with your hectic holiday schedule.

4 Simple Tips To Keep Your Children’s Teeth Healthy During The Season Of Sweets

  • Allow a limited selection of special sugary, sticky, chewy treats, which you offset by maintaining balanced meals;
  • If your child is on formula, being breast fed, drinking from a bottle or a sippy cup and you’re traveling — Remember not to let your child fall asleep with any unswallowed liquids in their mouth because it will stay on their gums and on their teeth increasing the risk for cavities;
  • If you’re traveling for the holidays, pack all your children’s brushing supplies in your luggage before you get on the road. Check List — toothbrush, toothpaste, floss;
  • Set aside a dedicated time each morning after breakfast and each night before bed devoted especially for you and your children as “our together time” to remind yourselves, encourage each other, and reinforce good brushing and flossing habits.

Gift Tips

Cool toothbrush, Travel-size dental kit, Fun brushing timers, Flavored Floss.

Wishing you and your family a lovely holiday full of fun and cheer! Keep your children’s smiles shiny and bright as they enjoy their sweets and treats.

  • Have A Blessed Kwanzaa
  • Happy Chanukah Playing Dreidel
  • What Do You Think Santa Brought Me?
  • We Can't Wait To Eat Our Hanukkah Goodies
  • Happy Hanukkah!
  • Merry Christmas
  • Habari Gani! Have A Blessed Kwanzaa
  • Happy Hanukkah
  • Make A Wish And Check It Twice!

Have a holiday story? Let us know, We’d love to hear! Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Like us, Message us, Chat with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ALL OF US TO YOU!!

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

Are Cavities Genetic?

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You Have My Hand and Heart Forever, But Please Not My Teeth
You Have My Hand and Heart Forever, But Please Not My Teeth

As parents we want our children to inherit the best from us. Yet so many of us have thought, “please please don’t get my teeth.”

You’re doing everything you can do to prevent cavities for your child. Sometimes you feel that it’s not enough. Now you’re thinking something else is going on. Well, you’re right!

For the numbers person in you, 42% of children from 2 to 11 years of age have some form of cavities according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In addition, dental research on cavities have found that genes account for 60% of an individuals cavity risk.

My Child’s Cavities Are Genetic?

Cavities have gone hi-tech. The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine conducted a study that found a variation of the Beta Defensin 1 gene (or DEFB1) could account for why some are more likely to have rapid cavities and gum disease. Sounds plausible? Yes, but more needs to be evaluated because the initial study didn’t look at diet and oral hygiene.

While dental genetics is in its early stages there is a lot of research going on looking at genes controlling tooth structure development and environmental factors.

The Genetic Link

There are 4 areas that researchers say genetics apparently influences cavity development —

Tooth Enamel — This is the tooth’s outer most layer and is supposed to be the strong coating protecting against breakdown. Genetic alterations in the mineral content or mineralization process increase risk of cavities.

Saliva — Saliva plays a big part. It affects the process for key nutrients like calcium and phosphorus on teeth, as well as how it controls the natural bacteria in the mouth. Gene variations make some people better at controlling this than others.

Tooth Shape — Teeth are all different shapes and sizes. Some are crowded together, some are really groovy. The tighter teeth are together and the more nooks and crannies teeth have, the more difficult it is to keep those hard to reach places clean.

Immune System — Immune system for the mouth? Your mouth has naturally occurring bacteria and how the body responds to it affects the teeth and gums.

What’s The Other 40%?

Here’s the long and short answer — diet, snacking, brushing and flossing habits, infrequent dental visits, smoking and vaping, snoring and dry mouth.

Snoring and dry mouth? When someone snores or sleeps with their mouth open they produce less saliva and develop dry mouth and dry teeth which affects the minerals in tooth enamel. Remember, even if genetic factors contribute to your child’s risk of cavities you can help to reduce the risk with good diet, good snacking habits, regular dental visits, no smoking or vaping, talking to your Pediatrician about snoring, and good oral hygiene.

Do you think your child has inherited your teeth? Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Like us, Message us, Chat with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!

  • I Love My Grandchildren So Much I Don't Want Them To Have Teeth Like Me
  • Our Family Gets Our Good Teeth From Our Parents Showing Us Good Habits Start Young
  • We're Teaching Our Children Healthy Food Helps Us To Have Healthy Teeth
  • I Got My Red Hair From My Dad, My Eyes From My Mom and and My Teeth We'll See At My Checkup
  • You Have My Hand and Heart Forever, But Please Not My Teeth

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

Happy Thanksgiving

In the Know for you to Know

What Makes You Smile About Thanksgiving?
What Makes You Smile About Thanksgiving?

It’s ALL SMILES!

Keep your children’s teeth safe this holiday. Don’t forget to brush and floss.

And as always we hope you have a happy and fun Thanksgiving.

What's Your Favorite To Eat On Thanksgiving?
What’s Your Favorite To Eat On Thanksgiving?

Let us know, send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com, or Like us, Message us, Chat with us at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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

Manual Toothbrush Or Electric Toothbrush? Which Should My Child Use?

My Mom and Dad Chose this Toothbrush for Me

In the Know for You to Know

As parents we always want the best for our children and will explore all options available to us.

A question we have been receiving a lot recently from parents is about the type of toothbrush their child should be using. Specifically whether to use a regular toothbrush (manual brush) or an electric toothbrush.

What Are The Benefits Of A Manual Toothbrush?

Manual toothbrushes come in lots of sizes, shapes, and colors. There are many varieties that have children’s favorite characters on them. They are light weight, easy to hold, and don’t need to be plugged into an electrical outlet or have batteries changed.

What Are The Benefits Of An Electric Toothbrush?

Electric toothbrushes take the work out of brushing. The brush’s bristles move in a circular motion, mimicking what you and your child would need to do with a manual brush. Some brushes already have the bristles angled (45 degrees) to the gum line for effective tooth and gum cleaning.

Many electric toothbrushes come in children’s favorite characters and colors. These brushes encourage your child to brush for the correct amount of time (2Minutes 2X’s A Day) because they come with a built-in timer. Some timers play music, some flashing lights, some talk, some make buzzing sounds, some simply stop.

How Do I Choose The Right Toothbrush For My Child?

Here are some helpful tips when looking for your child’s toothbrush —

1. Select a child-size toothbrush (or electric toothbrush handle) for easier holding, use and comfort,

2. Choose a child-size head on a child-size manual or electric toothbrush,

3. Select a toothbrush or toothbrush head with soft bristles,

4. Include your child in the decision, the more involved your child is in selecting their toothbrush the more willing they are to (or allow you to) use the brush.

Children should have their teeth brushed for them until they have the motor skills and dexterity they need. A good rule to judge this is when your child can fully bathe or shower on their own as well as wash, dry and style their hair all on their own.

Taking Care Of My Child’s Toothbrush

Taking care of your child’s (and your) toothbrush is always important; whether you choose a manual brush or an electric toothbrush. Always rinse the toothbrush head after each and every use with water.

Check the brush’s bristles for wear and change their toothbrush or toothbrush head (if electric) every 3 months. If anyone has been ill, change their brush (or brush head) after their illness.

Remember what’s most important is for you to feel comfortable and confident taking care of your child’s oral health.

Our New Toothbrushing Saying - I Can and I Will
Our New Toothbrushing Saying – I Can And I Will

Let us know which brush you prefer — Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Message us, Like us, and Send us a Comment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

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