Tag: Toddler Tooth Care

Your New Nightly Bedtime Brushing Routine for the New School Year

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I can’t wait to show my Teacher my shiny new teeth!

In the Know for You to Know

Making sure your child starts and ends the day in a healthy way! Brushing for 2 Minutes 2 Times a Day makes for a happy and healthy smile for everyone.

With the new school year here you want to brush up on your tooth brushing habits. The best way to start is with spiffing up your night time brushing. To do this all you and your child have to remember are the 4B’s.

That’s right, the 4B’s are the key to a pleasant and consistent bed time routine, so that this is a time for both of you to enjoy together.

By incorporating these 4B’s you are turning challenges into an easy routine and protecting those little teeth in a big way.

So What Are The 4B’s?

The 4B’s are …. Bath, Brush, Book, Bed

Bath bath time – a warm bath along with comfy and cozy pj’s encourages your child to start to relax and wind down from the day.

Brush brushing time – 2 Minutes with a soft wet wash cloth or a soft toothbrush while singing your favorite brushing song puts brushing in a whole new light, stress free. Remember, nothing to eat or drink afterwards keeps the sugar bugs away.

Book book time – children love the sound of their parents voice. Spend time together reading a good night book, singing, acting out stories, or simply talking. Then as your child gets sleepy it’s book away and into their comfy snuggly bed.

Bed bed time – hugs and kisses for sweet dreams and restful nights with clean sparkling teeth.

You Have The POWER

What makes your 4B routine powerful is how you do this. Be consistent in your timing so you have enough time between when you start and your child’s bed time. Pretty soon your diligence will rub off on your child and they will be reminding you.

You have the Power

Tell us about your 4B routine! Send us an email (kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com), or on facebook (www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline) We’d love to hear from you.

Happy New School Year!

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

How Do Cavities Form?

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In the Know for You to Know

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 have been in ongoing contact with foods high in carbohydrates (aka sugars), carbonated beverages (aka soda), and there are longer times (than you would like) between tooth brushings these minerals break down and dissolve the enamel.

DEMINERALIZATION

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 minerals in your child’s teeth to demineralize and weaken the enamel.

The weakened enamel makes their teeth more vulnerable and cavities form. It is usually not only one cavity that forms, it’s multiple.

Cavities grow fast in baby teeth. The enamel is super thin. A finger nail is thicker than enamel on baby teeth.

SO WHAT TO DO?

Once cavities get to a certain size they can’t be stopped or reversed and don’t stop growing.

While it’s best if cavities aren’t given the opportunity to grow at all, if they do show up and they are small, sometimes they can be stopped.

This does take work on your part when your child is young and on your child’s and your part when they are older. The rewards are worth it.

TIPS TO DO

  • 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, pre-schooler, and kindergartener you can also use a clean moist washcloth twice a day (as you would a tooth brush) and add a rice grain size amount of fluoride toothpaste, or, if they allow you can use a soft toothbrush with a rice grain 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 school-age child you’ll use a soft toothbrush, a small pea size amount of fluoridated toothpaste and brush for 2 Minutes in the AM and in the PM floss first and then brush for 2 Minutes before bedtime.
  • For your tween and teenage child you get to watch them 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 age child you may still need to advise them and make sure they use a soft toothbrush, a larger 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.

P.S. Don’t forget about yourself!

P.P.S.

REMEMBER – YOU GOT THIS

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

Pacifiers – What 2 Know 2 Say Goodbye

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In the Know for You to Know

Sucking is natural for infants and babies. This starts during your 7th month of pregnancy and increases in the weeks just before you give birth in preparation for nursing.

After your baby is born your Pediatrician may recommend a pacifier for a variety of reasons, including prevention of SIDS, or to calm and soothe if your baby is restless.

Each baby is different in how they take to the pacifier. Some will not want it at all, others may only want it when they are being put to sleep, and still others will not want to part with their pacifier and not let it out of their mouth.

The emotions they feel from the sucking can give them a sense of security, relaxation, happiness, or calmness. Everything they receive from you!

When and Why to Stop?

The short answer is between 18 and 24 months of age. The key is before 24 months.

Most babies stop sucking on their pacifier by the time they are 1 year old. Others by the time they are 4 years old.

Increased frequency, longer duration, and greater intensity of the sucking action on the pacifier affects the way a child’s teeth come together and the growth of the jaws. The top front teeth may be pushed outward or turned sideways. The jaws may become narrow or there can be other misalignments. The sooner a child can stop a sucking habit the better.

So What to Do?

  • Some parents choose to go cold turkey,
  • Other parents prefer to wean their child off their pacifier slowly at their pace,
  • There are those who snip off the top of the pacifier nipple which takes away the seal and interest in the broken pacifier,
  • Still others prefer to swap the pacifier with a new toy or prize which distracts attention away from the pacifier,
  • While other parents prefer to offer positive reinforcement, re-assurances, and praise when their child comforts themselves at bed time without the pacifier,
  • There’s those who make the pacifier a beautiful present for a relative’s or neighbor’s new baby who really needs a pacifier,
  • Then there’s the parents who throw a Bye-Bye Pacifier party,
  • And those parents who wrap the pacifier in tissue paper and put it on the kitchen counter for the Pacifier Fairy.

Timing is Important

Once you’ve made the decision that it’s time to stop the pacifier make sure that there are no new life changes or transitions going on for your family, and everyone is onboard with this decision. Everyone has to stay with the plan.

If you’re potty training, having another baby, moving, planning a trip, it’s holiday time, or an equally important life event — not a good time to start taking the pacifier away.

Just in Case?

Which ever plan you choose make sure you find all the pacifiers that are around the house, in the car, at Grandma’s house, at the baby sitter’s, or where ever you may have left 1 (or more) “just in case,” and don’t buy any new ones “just in case.” The last thing you want to do is for there to be confusion and have to start this all over again.

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

Putting Your Baby to bed with a Bottle, What’s all the fuss about?

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In the Know for You to Know

It’s about keeping your Baby’s and Toddler’s teeth healthy.

Did you know frequent and prolonged exposure of a Baby’s teeth to sugary liquids can lead to cavities at an early age?

This used to be called “Bottle Rot” and “Baby Bottle Cavities.” Today we call this Early Childhood Caries or ECC.

What is Early Childhood Caries?

Early Childhood Caries are cavities which happen with frequent sleep time bottle feeding or breast feeding on demand, or using a bottle as a pacifier when babies are fussy and you’re trying to to put them to bed. Bottle feedings and sippy cups with juice, milk with flavored syrups, and frequently consuming sugar-added snacks and drinks.

How do I know this is happening?

What does this look like?

There is a very specific look to the teeth and pattern in how this happens.

Have you noticed white spots on the teeth or around the gum lines? This is what early stage cavities look like. Those extra white chalky looking spots that don’t match up with the rest of the tooth color. This is the time to visit your Pediatric Dentist for early treatment.

As cavities get bigger those white spots change color to brown or black and become holes in the teeth. The holes continue to get bigger and pieces of tooth start to break off. You may notice red swollen gums or bad breath. You may notice a pimple on the gums, or a new onset fever which indicates an infection is brewing.

Which teeth are involved?

The most noticeable are the top front teeth. Eventually, some sooner than others, they all become involved. You may notice this on the back teeth when your Baby opens really wide and pulls their head back.

This is the point when you really have to see the Pediatric Dentist. Letting this go any further is not an option.

They’re Baby Teeth, why are they so important?

A lot of people feel that because baby teeth will eventually fall out and adult teeth grow in, there is no reason to take care of baby teeth; however this is a very common misconception.

Cavity ridden and infected baby teeth have an impact on a child’s health and can cause many health problems.

Healthy baby teeth are important to allow your Child to be pain free, help them chew their food properly, give them their adorable smile, allow them to speak well, and to grow healthy and happy.

What can I do to decrease the risk of my Baby developing cavities?

The answer comes down to 4 simple to do things –

Clean your Child’s mouth with a wet wash cloth after each feeding from the time they’re born,

Avoid letting them go to sleep without cleaning their mouths,

Avoid sugary and starchy liquids and foods,

Schedule your first Pediatric Dentist appointment as your Child’s first tooth is coming into their mouth.

Now tell me, What is Your Goal for Your Child?

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