Children's Dental Tips

Check out these proper brushing techniques!

• Outer & Inner Surfaces: Place toothbrush at a 45-degree angle; starting along the gum line use gentle, short, tooth-wide strokes against the gum line.
• Chewing surfaces: Hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.
• Inside surface of front teeth: Tilt brush vertically; use gentle up-and-down strokes with toe of brush.
• Brush the tongue: Use a back-to-front sweeping method to remove food particles and freshen the mouth. Remember to gently brush the roof of the mouth too.
• Brush long enough to thoroughly clean all tooth surfaces. The brushing motion itself helps remove stains, so don’t cut short the effectiveness.

Early Childhood Habits That Can Help Your Child Develop A Healthy Smile

Breast or Bottle Feeding

• Prevent “baby bottle tooth decay” by limiting the time an infant is exposed to sugary liquids like milk or juice.
• Children should not be put to sleep with a bottle. Allowing a child to suck on a bottle for longer than a mealtime can be hazardous to gums and erupting teeth.
• Once your child can sit up, encourage him or her not to drink from a bottle while lying down; not only can liquids linger longer in the mouth, but drinking while lying down can also cause ear infections.
• Juice should not be offered from a bottle, because sugars can linger in the mouth and promote cavities.
• As a baby approaches his or her first birthday, parents should encourage drinking only from a cup versus a bottle.

Thumb- or Finger-Suckin

• Sucking a thumb or other finger is a normal habit and most toddlers stop by age two. If a toddler has not stopped sucking a thumb or finger by age four, contact our office.
• If a child sucks a finger when permanent teeth are erupting, crowded or crooked teeth can result, as well as bite problems.
  

Pacifiers

• Pacifiers function in virtually the same way as a finger for a child and are acceptable until age two.
• A pacifier habit is often easier to break than a finger-sucking habit, partially because you can simply take it away from a child.

Teething

• Teething can last up to three years and can cause your child to have sore gums, as well as increased salivation, drooling and a slightly-elevated temperature.
• To alleviate your child’s discomfort, give your child a chilled teething ring or a cool spoon. These will serve to numb your child’s gums.

Keep Your Children's Teeth Healthy This Halloween

• Trick cavities by choosing the right treats. The best treats are those that can be easily brushed or washed away from teeth by saliva or water. Options include sugarless/low-in-sugar candies and chocolate.
• Avoid treats that are sticky, chewy or hard. Treats that cling to teeth such as gummy candy provide nourishment for plaque-causing bacteria that cause cavities. Treats that are difficult to chew, such as hard candy, may damage teeth and in some cases can crack a tooth. Avoid these types of treats particularly if your child has braces, because candy residues can become trapped between teeth and wires.
• Limit sweets intake to keep cavities in check. Constant snacking on candy cause tooth enamel to be continuously exposed to acids produced by the bacteria inside the mouth. Remember that sweets should be a treat and not part of every day eating. Every sugar dose equals about 20 minutes of a plaque attack so remember to brush or drink plenty of water after eating sugary treats.
• Brush for at least two minutes twice a day, everyday. This is particularly important if your child eats candy before going to bed because the dry environment of the mouth at night is an ideal playground for plaque. Make brushing fun by choosing fluoride toothpaste in your child’s favorite flavor, playing a favorite song while brushing or rewarding children with stickers for every good brushing.
• Floss your way to better teeth. Flossing removes plaque that can’t be removed by brushing alone from under the gum line and between your teeth. Flossing before brushing loosens the plaque and debris, which allows it to be brushed away easily. Check with a dentist to determine when children should begin flossing.

Back-to-School Health and Safety Tips

• Gear Up for Sports: An injury can take the fun out of gym class and after-school sports but proper sporting gear can help. Sprained ankles and shin splints can be avoided by wearing sport-specific sneakers and use a mouth guard to protect teeth from getting chipped by a fly ball or errant puck or hockey stick.
• Check in with your Pediatrician and Dentist: Children who feel sick or are in pain as a result of a tooth ach will be less likely to do well in class. Keep everyone smiling by making appointments with the pediatrician and dentist to ward off illnesses and detect vision, hearing and dental problems.
• Keep Smiles Healthy: According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General’s office, oral-health related problems cause the loss of 51 million school hours per year. Combat tooth decay by getting children to brush for the recommended two minutes twice a day and using proper brushing and flossing techniques.
• Encourage Healthy Snacking: Teach children about healthy snacking and avoiding junk food. Stock pre-cut fruits, vegetables, cheese and pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in their lunch boxes and in the fridge. Also, stick with nutritional drinks like pure milk, water and fruit juice instead of plaque and cavity-inducing drinks like sodas and other artificially-flavored drinks.
• Select a Back-friendly Book Bag: The wrong book bag can make your child’s walk to school a real pain in the neck--and back. Before you buy a back pack, make sure the straps are well-padded or opt for a bag with wheels and a handle.
• Back-to-school time should be fun for everyone. With a little planning, keeping your family healthy and smiling will be a breeze.

Other Useful Tips

• Be sure to visit your dentist regularly and brush twice a day.
• Brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes each time.
• Use a soft brush so it is gentle on the gums and remember to change your brush every 3 months.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the enamel on your teeth.
• Floss – floss – floss!
• Eat healthy and choose snacks that are better for teeth such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheese.