Care For Your Child's Teeth
Pediatric oral care has two main components:
preventative care at the pediatric dentist’s office and preventative
care at home. Though infant and toddler caries (cavities) and tooth
decay have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, a good dental
strategy will eradicate the risk of both.
The goal of preventative oral care is to evaluate
and preserve the health of the child’s teeth. Beginning at the age of
twelve months, the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that
children begin to visit the pediatric dentist for “well baby” checkups.
In general, most children should continue to visit the dentist every
six months, unless instructed otherwise.
How can a pediatric dentist care for my child’s teeth?
The pediatric dentist examines the teeth for
signs of early decay, monitors orthodontic concerns, tracks jaw and
tooth development, and provides a good resource for parents. In
addition, the pediatric dentist has several tools at hand to further
reduce the child’s risk for dental problems, such as topical fluoride
and dental sealants.
During a routine visit to the dentist, the
child’s mouth will be fully examined, the teeth will be professionally
cleaned, topical fluoride may be coated onto the teeth to protect tooth
enamel, and any parental concerns can be addressed. The pediatric
dentist can demonstrate good brushing and flossing techniques, advise
parents on dietary issues, provide strategies for thumb sucking and
pacifier cessation, and communicate with the child on his or her level.
When molars emerge (usually between the ages of
two and three), the pediatric dentist may coat them with dental
sealant. This sealant covers the hard-to-reach fissures on the molars,
sealing out bacteria, food particles and acid. Dental sealant may last
for many months or many years, depending on the oral habits of the
child. Dental sealant provides an important tool in the fight against
tooth decay.
How can I help at home?
Though most parents primarily think of brushing
and flossing when they hear the words “oral care,” good preventative
care includes many more factors, such as:
Diet
Parents should provide
children with a nourishing, well-balanced diet. Very sugary diets
should be modified and continuous snacking should be discouraged. Oral
bacteria ingest leftover sugar particles in the child’s mouth after each
helping of food – emitting harmful acids that erode tooth enamel, gum
tissue, and bone if left unchecked. Space out snacks where possible,
and provide the child with non-sugary alternatives like celery sticks,
carrot sticks, and low-fat yogurt.
Oral habits
Though pacifier
use and thumb sucking generally cease over time, both can cause the
teeth to misalign. If the child must use a pacifier, choose an
“orthodontically” correct model. This will minimize the risk of
developmental problems like narrow roof arches and crowding. The
pediatric dentist can suggest a strategy (or provide a dental appliance)
for thumb sucking cessation.
General oral hygiene
Sometimes, parents cleanse pacifiers and teething toys by sucking them.
Parents may also share eating utensils with the child. Harmful oral
bacteria are transmitted from parent-to-child in these ways, increasing
the risk of early cavities and tooth decay. Instead, rinse toys and
pacifiers with warm water and avoid spoon-sharing wherever possible.
Sippy cup use
Sippy cups are
an excellent transitional aid for the baby bottle-to-adult drinking
glass period. However, sippy cups filled with milk, breast milk, soda,
juice, and sweetened water cause small amounts of sugary fluid to
continually swill around young teeth – meaning continuous acid attacks
on tooth enamel. Sippy cup use should be terminated between the ages of
twelve and fourteen months - or whenever the child has the motor
capabilities to hold a drinking glass.
Brushing
Children’s teeth
should be brushed a minimum of two times per day using a soft bristled
brush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Parents should help with
the brushing process until the child reaches the age of seven and is
capable of reaching all areas of the mouth. Parents should always opt
for ADA approved toothpaste (non-fluoridated before the age of two, and
fluoridated thereafter). For babies, parents should rub the gum area
with a clean cloth after each feeding.
Flossing
Cavities and tooth
decay form more easily between teeth. Therefore, the child is at risk
for between-teeth cavities wherever two teeth grow adjacent to each
other. The pediatric dentist can help demonstrate correct head
positioning during the flossing process, and suggest tips for making
flossing more fun!
Fluoride
Fluoride helps
prevent mineral loss and simultaneously promotes the remineralization of
tooth enamel. Too much fluoride can result in fluorosis, a condition
where white specks appear on the permanent teeth, and too little can
result in tooth decay. It is important to get the fluoride balance
correct. The pediatric dentist can evaluate how much the child is
currently receiving and prescribe supplements if necessary.
If you have questions or concerns about how to care for your child’s teeth, please ask your pediatric dentist.
