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
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
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.
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
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.
After My Medicine Mom’s Going To Brush My Teeth
Even My Son’s Asthma Medicine Can Affect His Teeth
I’m Going To Remember To Clean Their Teeth After This Medicine
My Daughter Likes The Vanilla Flavor Medicine
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!
Like most parents you may have a tough time brushing your child’s teeth. There’s crying, screaming, struggling, chasing and all to brush teeth.
I’ve put together some tips and tricks that will empower you in your brushing dilemma.
Laughing And Smiling Brushing Teeth with Daddy
Insider Tips To Make Brushing Easier
There isn’t only one way to for you to brush teeth. There are a few different positions you can use to more easily and comfortably clean your child’s teeth.
Lying On The Bed Try brushing your child’s teeth with your child lying down on your bed. If you’re right handed you sit on their right side, and if you’re left handed sit on their left side. You can use your arm to help cradle your child’s head while brushing.
Sitting On The Floor With you sitting on a chair have your child sit down on the floor in front of you and lean back against your legs. Have them tip their head up so you can see inside their mouth.
Lying On The Floor Have your child lie down on the floor. You can either sit beside them, or put a pillow on your lap and place your child’s head on the pillow. If you’re right handed you sit on their right side, and if you’re left handed sit on their left side. You can use your arm to help hold your child’s head while brushing.
Standing In The Bathroom With your child is standing in front of you, have them face the bathroom mirror with their head slightly tilted against your body. Place your hand gently over their hand so that you can help guide the toothbrush around their mouth. This helps your child learn how to brush so they can see how tooth brushing is done, and standing behind them may make it easier for you to brush their teeth.
The 4 Most Important Things To Remember
The 4 most important things to remember are —
always cradle your child’s head,
have good lighting so you can see inside their mouth as well as what you are doing,
be able to easily move their tooth brush around their mouth, and
always find the safest and most comfortable position for you and your child.
Tooth Brushing By Any Other Name
Does the mention of tooth brushing cause stress in your home? Instead of saying it’s time to brush teeth try calling brushing by another name. For your next brushing time simply say to your child “It’s Smile Check Time”.
Even if helping your child brush twice a day is challenging a little creativity can go a long way to getting them interested, no matter their age.
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
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!
Breastfeeding is special for so many reasons and it is one of the first decisions you make as a new mom about how to feed your child. Breastfeeding is a remarkable experience that also has health benefits for both you and your baby.
Breast milk can help infants fight infection, decrease the risk of allergies, asthma, and obesity, as well as lowering the risk of SIDS. Nursing mothers may lower their chances of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
Did you know breastfeeding also has an impact on both your baby’s and your dental health?
Here’s a look at how —
Mom, You Don’t Have to Wean As Your Baby Gets Teeth
This is an often asked concern about teething and breastfeeding. Many nursing moms decide it’s time to stop breastfeeding when their baby starts teething or they first notice a tooth. Usually, this is because they’ve heard that the baby can nip the breast at the end of a feeding session, or, another nursing parent voiced fears about being bitten. Yet there are many teething babies and babies with teeth who never bite when breastfeeding. So the answer is you don’t have to stop if you don’t want to.
Every mother-child breastfeeding experience is individual and special. The decision to stop breastfeeding is important to discuss with your pediatrician when you think it’s the best for you and your baby, and not just because the teeth are coming in.
Breastfed Babies Can Still Get Cavities
Can breast feeding cause cavities? Is an often asked question by nursing mothers. The short answer is yes, and this is because breast milk does contain sugar in addition to all of the other good things.
The long answer is that the benefits of breastfeeding for infants in their first year of life help to ensure the best possible health for your baby and your family.
However, frequent and nightly (and nap time) breastfeeding (and baby bottle use) beyond 12 months of age is associated with increased early childhood cavity risk.
This is why it’s important to never let your baby fall asleep while feeding. Breastfeeding infants who fall asleep while nursing with milk in their mouths are also vulnerable to cavities.
Take care for your infant’s mouth from the start, even before teeth come in. Starting right after birth begin wiping your baby’s mouth and gums with a clean, moist washcloth after each feeding every day.
Breastfeeding May Help Build a Better Bite
The American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life were less likely to have teeth alignment issues.
While every baby and every child is different, this doesn’t mean your exclusively breastfed baby won’t need braces someday. Other factors, like genetics, pacifier use, and thumb sucking also affect tooth alignment.
Mom, You Need To Take Care of Yourself
Being a mom is stressful. You have no time to take care of yourself. Remember if you’re not healthy (and this also goes for your dental health), you will not have the time and the energy to make sure your baby is healthy.
So what you need to do — Eat a healthy diet and stay hydrated by drinking water. Plain, fluoridated water is great for you to stay hydrated, for the tooth protective benefits of fluoride and your mouth to stay moist (as opposed to dry which can make you not feel your best).
Brush your teeth twice a day, Yes you are exhausted but you need to do this because if you let this slide then the bad bacteria in the mouth grows and not only causes cavities but can be transmitted to your baby by kissing and sharing (or licking) their spoon.
Another reason to brush is so that you don’t accumulate that sticky film (plaque) and hard tarter on your teeth which increases the risk for gum disease.
Some new moms may experience jaw pain, sore neck muscles, or grinding (clenching). Tell your dentist if you’re having any of these symptoms, you don’t have to grin and bear it.
Need Dental Care? Let Your Dentist Know You’re Breastfeeding
It’s safe and important for you to go to the dentist while you’re pregnant and while you’re nursing. It’s also very important for the best health of your child.
If you need to have a dental procedure that requires medication while nursing, discuss this with your dentist, your personal physician and your pediatrician.
You can even ask your dentist to call your OB, your primary care provider, and your pediatrician directly before or during your appointment to address any concerns you have.
You’ve got this!
Every woman’s motherhood journey is meaningful and special. What’s your hack for including and taking care of your dental health in your usual mom day? We’d really like to know. Email us at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
Here you are, you know your child has a cavity but you also know they won’t sit to have it taken care of. You’re thinking about taking your child to the pediatric dentist and face the music or tough it out, after all it’s only a baby tooth and it will fall out. At first toughing it out sounds like a good idea but then you look at their face then into their mouth and realize you have to go.
But what can they do?
There is a special medication that can be applied directly to teeth which can stop or at least slow down the growth of a cavity. This remedy is Silver Diamine Fluoride.
Please make my teeth stop hurting
What is Silver Diamine Fluoride?
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an FDA and ADA (American Dental Association) approved clear topical liquid that is used to treat cavities. It is applied by a pediatric dentist to the cavity area of a tooth to control and help stop the progression of a cavity.
How Does SDF Work?
Silver Diamine Fluoride is composed of two main components, silver and fluoride. The silver part acts as an antimicrobial on the bacteria causing the cavity while the fluoride helps to strengthen and remineralize the tooth. The third accessory component is Diamine which makes the SDF into a liquid.
How Is SDF Applied To Teeth?
Your child’s teeth will be dried and any food or plaque will be removed. SDF is applied to the affected teeth with a small brush and allowed to dry on each tooth for one to two minutes. After this application it is recommended that your child does not eat or drink for at least an hour so the Silver Diamine Fluoride has time to penetrate into the tooth and the cavity.
After SDF is applied the cavity will turn black and stay black. It make take up to a week for the cavity areas to turn black. The black stains on teeth treated with SDF are permanent. The parts of the tooth without the cavity will not turn black.
When Is SDF Recommended?
While Silver Diamine Fluoride is not a substitute for the traditional way cavities are treated, it is another option for treating cavities. Young children, children with special health needs, any child who has a difficult time at the dentist or who may have a lot of cavities may benefit from this type of care.
My Tooth Hurts So Much My Head HurtsMy Tooth Hurts!
What Are The Benefits Of SDF?
Silver Diamine Fluoride has a number of benefits — Quick to apply, Painless, May stop cavity progression, Relieves tooth sensitivity, Helpful cavity treatment for children who are very young or any child who struggles with appointments and longer procedure times.
Are There Any Risks With SDF?
Some common risks are — All cavity areas will stain black while healthy tooth structure will not stain; If Sliver Diamine Fluoride touches skin or the gums, a harmless temporary brown or white stain may appear on that area, which will disappear on its own in one to three weeks; Some may notice a metallic taste but this is temporary; SDF may not stop cavities from progressing and other treatments may need to be discussed.
SDF Is Just Not For Some Children
SDF contains silver and children who are allergic to silver or who have mouth sores or ulcers in their mouth should not have it applied to their teeth. It should also not be used when the cavity is very deep and has compromised the tooth. Some parents may not want the cavity areas on their child’s teeth turning black.
Are There Any Alternatives To SDF?
Two possible alternatives may be — No treatment, which may lead to worsening symptom severity as well as increasing breakdown of teeth; Depending on the extent and location of the cavities other treatment options may be necessary which is an important conversation for you to have with your child’s pediatric dentist.
What’s important is that Silver Diamine Fluoride is a safe, effective alternative treatment that can help your child maintain a healthy smile.
Thank You Mom and Dad For My SmileI’m One And I Don’t Have Any Cavities
Every February we celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month. We like to celebrate children’s oral health every month but February historically holds a special place in our hearts.
Healthy habits start early and grow as your child grows. Whether your child is a newborn, 6 months old, 6 years old, or 16 years old healthy teeth and gums are important for a healthy smile and a healthy life.
With a consistent home care routine, a balanced diet, injury prevention, and regular dental visits your child’s teeth can be healthy, strong, beautiful and last their whole lifetime.
Keep Those Little Smiles In Your Life Healthy And Happy From The Start!
Cavities are the most common chronic disease among children across all age groups. From infant to college, cavities are 4x’s more common than Asthma.
They are also the most common preventable chronic disease among children of all ages.
Did you know that cavities can form even before a tooth is fully in the mouth?
Happy Healthy Teeth Come Out On Top – What You Can Do At Home
From their 1st tooth, brush your child’s teeth 2x/day with fluoride toothpaste every day. Teeth not in yet? No worries, use a wash cloth to wipe their gum pads and tongue after each feeding.
Teeth touching? Clean between your child’s teeth nightly with dental floss.
To snack and what to snack on? Eat healthy foods and be selective about sugary and starchy (aka high carb) foods and beverages. Yes that includes chips.
Children’s teeth are meant to last a lifetime. And a healthy smile is a happy and confident child.
After Your Feeding and Cleaning Your Mouth We Lay You Down To Sleep
After Your Feeding Mommy Is Going To Wipe Your Mouth
All My Teeth Are Looking Good
Daddy And Me Brushing Time
Daddy and Me Smiling Our No Cavity Smiles
Happy Baby Happy Mommy and Daddy
Healthy Teeth Happy Family
I May Have A Few Teeth But My Mommy Is Making Sure We Brush
Love To Smile
Love You Daddy For Playing With Me And Brushing My Teeth
Loving My Cavity Free College Smile
Mommy and Daddy Brushed Our Teeth Now It’s Playtime
Mommy And Daddy Love You So Much We Never Want You To Have A Cavity
Mommy And Daddy Make Sure I’m In The No Cavity Club
Showing Off My Healthy Teeth
Smiling Our Best Smiles
Still No Cavities!
The Thought Of Getting A Cavity Makes Us Laugh
In honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month, we applaud you and encourage you to help your children develop a healthy routine.
What is your goal for Children’s Dental Health Month? Start small and aim high, let us know your plan. Already have a routine in place that you’re working on? Let us know how it’s going. We’d really like to know. Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like us or Friend us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline
Happy National Children’s Dental Health Month!
More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!
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
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
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.
I’m Loving Eating My Cupcake At Our PartyI’m 4 and I’m Celebrating My Birthday On National Cupcake DayI’m Celebrating My 4th Birthday On National Cupcake Day
Yes, today, December 15th is dedicated to celebrating everything cupcake. Whether it’s the frosting, the sprinkles, the yummy decorations, or that they are the perfect fit in the palm size for your child, cupcakes are the ultimate treat.
Fun Cupcake Facts
Cupcakes are delicious,
They are fun to make and eat,
Cupcakes are irresistible,
They were inspired by English Fairy Cakes dating all the way back to the 17th century,
Cupcakes were originally baked in tea cups and were small yellow cakes,
They bring us together and are great for birthdays, celebrations, and bake sales.
Celebrating The Day
Everyone loves cake and cupcakes are the perfect size to bake, decorate and eat together. Whether you use a box cake mix, look up a recipe online or from your favorite cookbook, use a muffin tin with cup liners, or ramekins, have some together time with your child and bake your favorite bite-sized creation.
Or maybe you’re a fan of celebrating by eating or short on time, then bakeries are sure to have some tasty choices for you to enjoy.
Whether you and your child are baking at home or going to the bakery to pickup your cupcakes, make it a party and have fun!
Take some pictures to remember your special day. Remember too bake (or pickup) extra cupcakes, because left overs taste just as wonderful.
I Made This Cupcake Just For You
Love Making These Cupcakes
Bake Cupcake Decorate Cupcake Eat Cupcake Repeat!
Cupcakes For My Birthday!
So Many Cupcake Choices
Celebrating With Cupcakes For My Mom
Amazingly Irresistible Cupcakes
Just Love Decorating My Cupcakes
Having Fun Decorating My Cupcakes
Which One Should I Choose?
After The Celebration
After the fun of your day before your child goes to bed there’s one last thing to do — floss and brush. You knew I was going to say this!
There’s Another Cupcake Day?
Mark your calendar — October 18, 2023 is National Chocolate Cupcake Day.
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