Category: Dad’s Dental Care

Dental Care during your Pregnancy

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

Your pregnancy is a special time in your life. It’s important for you to know that The American Dental Association and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have your back. They both affirm and encourage you to have regular oral health care, especially during your pregnancy.

A lot of expectant Moms are hearing differing opinions and have written in asking how to approach this. Today I am answering your most asked questions –

I was told that while I’m pregnant, my cavity should be filled only if it hurts, is this true? It is always important for you to have regular Dental check-ups and to address whatever comes up as soon as possible. Dentists are very knowledgeable about taking care of you, including during your pregnancy. Talking with your Obstetrician may be a way for you to feel more comfortable about this. Waiting until something hurts creates stress and the potential for more complex problems, this is not something you want during your pregnancy. It’s all about keeping you healthy.

I heard that my cavity can’t hurt my baby’s teeth, then I heard cavities can. Which is it? Your cavities can definitely hurt your baby’s teeth. The same goes for anyone who helps you take care of your baby. Cavities and gingivitis are caused by bacteria. These bacteria are transferred from your mouth to your infant’s mouth during some common parenting behaviors like sharing spoons and licking pacifiers. The bacteria attach to their teeth as they come into their mouths. More teeth –> More Bacteria –> Cavities.

My Dentist told me that even though I am pregnant fluoride toothpaste is safe and in the right amount helps prevent cavities. Your Dentist is right. Drinking community fluoridated water and brushing twice a day with a fluoridated ADA Seal of Acceptance toothpaste are effective methods in helping to reduce cavities. And remember to floss each night before you brush.

My neighbor had a toothache when she was pregnant and didn’t go to the Dentist, and one day her face was swollen. Is it safe to go the Dentist during my pregnancy? Going to Dental appointments is safe, and especially important during your pregnancy. Ask your Obstetrician and they will give you their blessing. Not only are you improving life long health habits but you’re taking care of potential issues and pregnancy changes in your mouth. Plus by taking care of your own mouth and teeth you’re also learning how to prevent cavities for your baby.

Growing up my parents didn’t take us to the Dentist because they said our baby teeth will fall out. Now that I’m a Mom and have another baby on the way I don’t want mine to go through what I did. I learned from you that cavities are not okay-Thank you!

With our first baby I though juice was a healthy drink. Then the cavities started and kept getting worse. I learned that juice is pure sugar. With our younger two all we put in their bottles and sippy cups is water. This was a hard lesson to learn, but so glad I did.

Remember to have regular dental care, practice good oral hygiene, eat healthy foods, and speak with your Obstetrician about attending your prenatal classes.

Thank you to everyone!

Don’t be shy, SEND IN your questions, tell us your story, or let us know what you’d like more information on. We love to hear from you!

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

You Asked, Here Are The Hacks to Your Pregnancy and Infant Oral Healthcare Questions

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

What can I do during my pregnancy to help my child have healthy teeth? Nutrition is always very important and especially for the oral health of your growing baby. A good place to visit for healthy eating tips is myplate.gov. Taking your prenatal vitamins as recommended by your Obstetrician is key since your baby’s teeth are forming along with other important body parts between 7 weeks and 3 months.

I’m having my first baby and following my OB’s instructions. I can’t help wondering, is there anything else I should or could be doing? Congratulations first time Mommy!! My question for you is, when is the last time you saw your dentist? It is so important to take care of your own oral health during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. This also holds true for Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa and everyone who is going to hold, kiss, and feed your baby. You see if someone has active cavities or gum disease the bacteria in the saliva can be passed along to your baby by kissing, sharing spoons, and licking a pacifier. So remember to see your Dentist for regular check-ups, brush twice a day and floss before your nightly brushing.

I heard babies can get cavities from bottle and breast feeding. I’m going to have to do a combination of both since I’ll have to go back to work. How can I prevent this from happening? Start when your baby is born. Even before teeth come in it is important to wipe their gums, cheeks, tongue, roof of their mouth after each feeding with a wet wash cloth and also before you put your baby to bed for their nap time or bedtime. Remember not to ever put your baby to bed with a bottle and don’t let your baby fall asleep while you are breast feeding. The reason is that the sugar will sit in their mouth and eventually on their teeth, which is what causes cavities.

I have terrible teeth. When should I start cleaning my Baby’s teeth? The sooner the better. Before your babies teeth come in use a wet wash cloth to wipe their gums, cheeks, tongue, and the roof of their mouth after each feeding and before you put them down for their nap or bedtime. Once teeth start coming in it’s necessary to clean those pearly whites, their gums, cheeks, tongue and roof of their mouth after each feeding and before putting them down for their nap or bedtime. Whether you use a wash cloth, baby tooth brush, or finger brush, remember to lift their upper and lower lips to see their whole tooth.

Do you have any advice on teething? From 4 months to 3 years old you may see sore or swollen gums as your child’s teeth start to come into their mouths. Some children may run a low grade fever, some may have diarrhea, some may tug at their ears, or some may just show you their toothy grin. If need be, it’s best for you to hold and gently rub a cool wet wash cloth on their tooth bumps. Never use teething rings, teething gels, gel pads, teething beads, teething necklaces, teething bracelets, or any kind of pain reliever without discussing this first with you Pediatric Dentist or Pediatrician. If you are not sure it’s teeth or if your child is sick always reach out to your Pediatric Dentist or Pediatrician.

How old should my Baby be when I make our first Pediatric Dentist appointment? My Dentist says it’s 3 years old, my Pediatrician says 1 year old, which is it? It’s best to schedule your first visit when your Baby’s first tooth comes into their mouth. There is a lot to talk about. Not only do we examine teeth, we check their dental growth and developmental milestones, we talk about diet, oral hygiene schedules, tooth paste, pacifiers and thumb sucking habits, and so much more.

Should I worry if my Baby is a thumb or finger sucker? My husband and his siblings did both and now I’m concerned. Thumb sucking is normal for infants and most stop before they are 2 years old. Prolonged thumb or finger sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth and bite problems. There are a few ways to address this concern and it is specific for your child’s needs.

How common are cavities in young children? In this day and age do I really need to worry about cavities? In a word, Yes. Cavities are the most common disease of childhood. Cavities are 5-8 times more common than asthma. Cavities affect 20% of Preschoolers, 50% of School Age Children, and 75% of Adolescents. Cavities that start early in life continue throughout life.

Thank you to everyone who reached out with your questions!

Don’t be shy, send us your specific questions or tell us what you’d like more information on; we’d love to hear from you!

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

You’re Having A Baby

~ kidstoothhotline

In the Know for You to Know

Dental Care for Mom and Baby

Did you know that there are certain things as an expectant Mother you can do to keep your baby cavity free?  As a Mom you have the power to take control of your baby’s oral health. By doing this your baby has the potential to never have a cavity in their life time. The key is to start early.

Teeth Develop When?

About three months into your pregnancy your baby’s teeth are already beginning to form. All twenty baby teeth (also called primary teeth or milk teeth) begin to form before they are born.. If your baby is going to be a thumb sucker, they’ve already started while you are pregnant. In the weeks just before birth your baby is already making sucking and chewing movements in preparation for nursing. 

Diet and Health

Eating the right foods as part of balanced and nutritious meals is important especially now. Those vitamins and minerals from a well balanced diet are good for you, help your baby grow, and provide proper mineralization of teeth and go a long way to help your baby’s tooth-forming cells.

Mom’s Dental Health

Dental health is key to a healthy quality of life for both Mom and Baby. There is a definite link between your dental health and your general health. When you are pregnant your dental health affects your baby’s health. So you can say that dental care is definitely part of your prenatal (and even post natal) care.

Taking care of your dental health needs not only keeps your smile healthy, but also the smiles of your child.

Remember, you should always speak with your Obstetrician and Dentist about your concerns and questions.

It is important for you and your baby to be healthy.  Dental care during your pregnancy is safe and comfortable. 

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