HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD ENJOY GOOD ORAL HEALTH?

The following steps will help your child be part of the cavity-free generation:

Beware of frequent snacking,
Eat a balanced nutritive diet.
Brush at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste,
Floss at least once a day (always floss before brushing),
Have sealants applied when appropriate,
Seek regular dental check-ups, and
Assure proper fluoride intake through drinking water, fluoride products or supplements.

HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY CHILD’S TEETH?

Prior to the eruption of the first primary (baby) tooth, several times daily, preferable after feedings, you should wipe your child’s mouth with a warm cloth to cleanse the gums and remove food particles and bacteria. With the eruption of the first tooth, you should gradually move to the use of a small toothbrush having soft bristles. If practical, brush after each meal but at least twice daily. The most important time to brush is before bedtime. Use a small pea or pinky fingernail size amount of fluoride containing toothpaste, and if your child is unable to spit out the toothpaste, using a soft warm cloth clean the toothpaste from the mouth. Brush the teeth in a circular motion and be sure to brush the inside, outside and top of the teeth. Brush both the top and bottom teeth and gently brush the tongue as well. Until the age of 7 or 8 most children do not have the dexterity or the desire to brush or floss their teeth effectively; for this reason until your child is about 7 or 8 years old we recommend that a parent actually brush the teeth. You may be able to allow your child to brush independently at an earlier or later age depending upon each child’s individual development and muscular coordination.

Although you need not floss until multiple teeth have erupted and are touching, starting to floss at an earlier age develops good habits. Most younger children (under the age of 7 or 8 ) lack the coordination to floss their teeth, so we recommend that the parents actually floss the teeth, at least once daily. You should always floss before you brush the teeth. Flossing loosens up and removes debris caught between the teeth and the toothbrush then brushes those particles out of the mouth.

As part of our initial and periodic examinations we will show you and your child how to properly brush and floss his or her teeth.

 

 

WHAT TYPE OF TOOTHBRUSH SHOULD I USE?

 

We do not recommend any particular brand of toothbrush or a manual or a powered model. Whichever one feels comfortable to you and fits your child’s mouth comfortably should work fine. However, we do recommend only soft-bristle toothbrushes. There is no need to use medium or hard bristle toothbrushes. Over a period of time, using medium or hard bristle toothbrushes actually damage the teeth by removing valuable protective enamel.

The toothbrush should bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance. The Seal assures that the toothbrush has been independently evaluated and has been found to be safe and effective; i.e., the bristles are not sharp or jagged, the handle is made of a durable material, and the bristles will not fall out with normal use. Powered models must also meet the requirements of a safety laboratory such as the Underwriters Laboratory of Northbrook, Illinois.

DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE TOOTHBRUSH?

Yes. After brushing the teeth, rinse the toothbrush with tap water. This removes food particles, debris and toothpaste from the bristles. The brush should be stored standing upright so that it may air dry between uses. Try to keep the bristles of adjacent toothbrushes from touching, this helps prevent the spread of bacteria. Don’t store the toothbrush in a closed container, this promotes bacterial growth.

Toothbrushes have a limited life span and should be replaced when the bristles are frayed, worn or bent; about every 3 months. Younger children, and those patients with special needs, have a tendency to chew on their toothbrushes so you may need to replace them even more frequently. Toothbrushes having frayed, worn or bent bristles do a poor job of cleaning. Compared to the cost of fixing a cavity, a toothbrush is very inexpensive; replace them often!

WHAT TYPE OF TOOTHPASTE SHOULD MY CHILD USE?

Check to be sure that the toothpaste caries the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association. This seal ensures that the toothpaste conforms to certain standards to be sure that they are safe and effective. The toothpaste should contain fluoride, however, for the very young child (less than 2 years old) or for the child that cannot spit out the toothpaste, it is better to use a non-fluoride containing toothpaste.

WHAT TYPE OF FLOSS SHOULD I USE?

We do not recommend any particular brand of floss. Unwaxed floss has a tendency to fray and trap more food and plaque. Waxed floss tends to glide between the teeth more easily and is especially helpful for children have tight contacts (teeth close together). Whichever one feels comfortable to you and works in your hands should work fine.

WHY DO YOU USE OR RECOMMEND FLUORIDE FOR MY CHILD?

Community water fluoridation started over 60 years ago in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since that time it has been determined that community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention proclaimed water fluoridation as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Studies consistently show that the use of fluoride is one of the safest and best ways to reduce the incidence of cavities. Fluoride is naturally present in all water. Children and adults who are at low risk of dental decay can stay cavity-free through frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride. This is best gained by drinking fluoridated water and using a fluoride toothpaste twice daily. Children and adults at high risk of dental decay may benefit from using additional fluoride products, including dietary supplements (for children who do not have adequate levels of fluoride in their drinking water), mouthrinses, and professionally applied gels and varnishes. Unbiased scientific evidence supports the use of fluoride dental products for preventing tooth decay for both children and adults. Fluoride’s main effect occurs after the tooth has erupted above the gum. This topical effect happens when small amounts of fluoride are maintained in the mouth in saliva and dental plaque. Fluoride works by stopping or even reversing the tooth decay process. It keeps the tooth enamel strong and solid by preventing the loss of (and enhancing the re-attachment of) important minerals from the tooth enamel.

Tucson’s water supply is not fluoridated even though the Tucson City Council approved the addition of fluoride to the water supply many years ago. The City has not funded this project yet. There is some naturally occurring fluoride in the Tucson water. The amount of fluoride varies from well site to well site and is dependent upon the percentage of Colorado River water added. Although some children will benefit from the use of fluoride vitamins, prior to prescribing such vitamins we request that you obtain a water fluoride level from your local water company. Generally with the use of a fluoride toothpaste and with periodic topical fluoride administered at our office, the use of supplemental fluoride in a vitamin is not necessary.

WHAT IS FLUOROSIS?

In certain circumstances, a child may receive too much fluoride during the tooth formation years. Too much fluoride can result in defects in tooth enamel. In mild cases of Fluorosis, the teeth may have small white specks or streaks. These are often barely noticeable and present little esthetic concern. In moderate and severe cases the enamel may be brown or black or may be pitted, rough, and hard to clean and present a real esthetic challenge.

Fluoride is good for developing teeth, it strengthens the teeth and helps prevent dental decay. However a child that ingests too much fluoride for that child’s size and weight during the years of tooth development is at risk for Fluorosis. A child can ingest too much fluoride in several different ways. A child may take more of a fluoride supplement than the amount prescribed or a child may be given a prescription for a fluoride supplement when there is already an optimal amount of fluoride in the drinking water. Using too much of a fluoridated toothpaste and swallowing the toothpaste rather than spitting it out can also cause Fluorosis.

Preventing Fluorosis begins with a conversation with your pediatric dentist. He or she will review your child’s fluoride intake. They may recommend that your drinking water be tested for fluoride content. They you can decide whether fluoride supplementation is warranted.

 

 

 

 

 

Sew a Lost Tooth Pillow

 

 

Print and Color "First Lost Tooth" Certificate

 

 

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"Another Lost Tooth" Certificate