In the Know for You to Know

We hear a lot about cavities in children’s teeth. Most of the time the response is “All children have cavities.”

Cavities (aka tooth decay) is common in children. However, if you’ve thought to yourself “Is it normal for children to have cavities?”, you’re not alone.

Today, we’re taking a look at what causes cavities, how to prevent them, and if it really is normal for children to have cavities.

What Is Demineralization?

Did you know that teeth are the only part of the human body that can’t repair itself?

Tooth enamel is the outer most layer of teeth and is made up of specific proteins, crystals, and minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

When teeth are in constant contact with foods which are high in carbohydrates (aka sugars), carbonated beverages (aka soda), and there are longer times (than you would like) between tooth brushings these minerals in enamel begin to breakdown and dissolve.

How Does Demineralization Work?

Everyone has bacteria in their mouths, even newborns.

When the bacteria comes in contact with the yummy sweet foods and drinks they produce an acidic environment in the mouth which causes the tooth enamel to weaken.

Why Is Demineralization Important?

Demineralization is important because the weakened enamel makes children’s teeth more vulnerable to cavities forming.

Cavities grow fast, especially in baby teeth because the enamel is super thin.

This is also important since it’s usually not only 1 cavity that forms. It’s several that form at the same time.

What To Do

We’ve put together some tips for you on taking care of your child’s teeth ~

For Your Newborn, Infant And Baby

Use a clean moist washcloth to wipe their mouths after every feeding and before putting them to bed.

For Your Toddler, Preschooler and Kindergartener

You can also use a clean washcloth twice a day (as you would with a toothbrush) and add a rice grain size (think uncooked grain of rice) amount of fluoride toothpaste. Or if they allow you can use a soft toothbrush, use a rice grain size of fluoride toothpaste and brush for 2 minutes in the AM after breakfast and in the PM floss first and then brush for 2 minutes before bedtime.

For Your School Age Child

Use a soft toothbrush, a pea size (think small green pea) amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush for 2 minutes in the AM after breakfast and in the PM floss first and then brush for 2 minutes before bedtime.

For Your Tween And Teen

Watch them as they use a soft toothbrush, a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush for 2 minutes in the AM after breakfast and in the PM floss first and then brush for 2 minutes before bedtime.

For Your College Student

You may still need to advise them and make sure they use a soft toothbrush, a larger pea size (think regular green pea size) amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush for 2 minutes in the AM after breakfast and in the PM floss first and then brush for 2 minutes before bedtime.

What’s The Answer?

The good news is that cavities are preventable. With consistent oral care habits, you can reduce the risk of tooth decay for your child.

The key to cavity prevention is to start early. Even before your child’s first tooth comes into their mouth, you can start cleaning their gums with a soft cloth to remove any food and bacteria.

While cavities are a common concern for many parents, the truth is that with proper care, they can largely be prevented.

Do you think cavities are normal for children? How old was your child when you started their oral care routine? What tips do you have that works for your child? 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!

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!

In the Know for You to Know

We’ve received a lot of questions about dental issues for children. Parents like you are asking about what they’ve heard, what they’ve read and why this is truly important.

So, today we’re answering your questions.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

Baby teeth are very important for 4 reasons ~

1. They are needed for the growth of your baby’s jaws, muscles and their face.
2. Their teeth are also necessary for your child to be able to chew their food, eat well and grow healthy and strong.
3. Their teeth help them to speak. Their tongue and cheeks use the surfaces of their teeth to help them form the sounds they need to talk.
4. Baby teeth provide the space for their permanent teeth to develop and to guide them into the correct position.

How Does Putting My Baby To Bed With A Bottle Cause Cavities?

Putting your baby to sleep for a nap or at night with a bottle or after breast feeding can cause a serious type of cavities.

The sugar in the formula, milk, fruit juice, and other sweetened liquids sits on their teeth and eats away at the tooth’s enamel. Over time the tooth will chip and then break off.

The time for cavities to show up can be as soon as 1 year after their teeth come into their mouth.

The first teeth you’ll see the cavities on are their top front teeth.

Do Children Really Get Cavities?

Yes they do. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, school age, and teenagers can all get cavities.

Cavities are more common than Asthma. Children are 8x’s more likely to have cavities than Asthma.

That’s a lot of children — 20% of preschoolers, 50% of 2nd graders, and 75% of 15 year olds.

Do Baby Teeth Have Nerves?

Yes, baby teeth have nerves.

Baby teeth and adult teeth are made up of the same 3 parts ~

1. Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. It’s there to protect the tooth from bacteria, hot and cold, as well as physical blows to the tooth. While enamel is thinner in baby teeth, it’s still protective. However, when the tooth’s enamel is broken, things spread quickly.
2. Dentin is under the enamel. It’s the inner layer which makes up the largest part of the tooth. Dentin is there to support the enamel and protect the nerve (aka pulp) of the tooth.
3. Pulp is the soft tissue in the deepest part of the tooth. It contains nerves and blood vessels. When the nerve is irritated it causes tooth sensitivity. The pulp can in certain situations become inflamed, infected, or even die.

Is It Okay To Let My 5 Year Old Brush His Own Teeth?

Letting your child have a turn to brush their teeth first is good learning for them.

However you need to have your turn afterwards and do the real toothbrushing.

It takes time for children to develop their motor skills. How old do you think they’ll be when they can wash, dry and style their hair from start to finish on their own?

When they can do their hair themselves that’s about the time they can brush and floss on their own also. So you will be doing this for them for a while.

Then once they do start brushing and flossing by themselves they’ll do a much better job with you in the bathroom with them.

How do you take care of your child’s teeth? What questions do you have about your child’s teeth? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Email us at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com, Like Us on Facebook

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