Baby Those Baby Teeth

It’s never too early to start taking care of your little one’s teeth. In fact, proper oral health care should start well before your baby’s first teeth even erupt. For a lifetime of healthy smiles, follow these guidelines to ensure your child gets off on the right tooth. Just say “no” to bottles in bed. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in your baby’s teeth, leading to “baby bottle tooth decay.” Instead, let your child finish his or her bottle before bedtime. If you must give your baby a bottle when he or she is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead. Be sure your baby drinks fluoridated water. By the time your baby is 6 months old, he or she will require some fluoride for healthy teeth. Most babies can get all of the fluoride they need from the water they drink. Keep in mind that bottled water usually doesn’t have any fluoride, however. If you have questions about fluoride, talk to your pediatrician or dentist. Clean your baby’s gums. Twice a day, gently wipe your baby’s gums with a wet, clean, soft cloth. You should start doing this before your baby’s teeth even come in, or “erupt.” When can you expect to see that first tooth? The average age is 6 months, but some infants don’t get their first tooth until they are 14 or 15 months old. Some babies see their first tooth when they are as young as 3 months old! Brush new teeth. Once the first teeth come in, you can clean them using a soft, flexible children’s toothbrush and water. Continue to clean your baby’s entire mouth, not just the new teeth. Gently brush his or her first teeth with a tiny amount of fluoridated tooth- paste. Switch to a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste once your child is age 2. See a dentist. Whether it’s the first tooth or the first birthday—no matter which happens first—it’s time for your child’s first dentist appointment! Your dentist will examine your child’s mouth and advise you on any concerns you have, such as thumbsucking. If you are having trouble brushing your child’s teeth, your dentist can show you a few methods to ensure you are doing a thorough job. Regular exams are essential to your child’s oral health so be sure to keep regular appointments with your child’s dentist. February is National Children Dental Health Month. We are always accepting new patients and we LOVE kids. Call us at (248) 474-5572 to schedule an appointment for your child or yourself today!

Thumbsucking: Rules of Thumb

One of the most asked questions from parents of toddlers is about thumbsucking. Is it harmful? At what age should their child stop? What will happen if the child doesn't stop? These are all very good questions and I hope I can shed a little light on the subject for you! Sucking is of your baby's first reflexes. In infants and young children, it makes them feel secure and happy, soothed, relaxed and most often manifests in older children when they are tired. Prolonged thumbsucking will result in changes to the permanent teeth (alignment and growth) and can cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking is a large factor on the amount of changes. Thumbsucking normally ceases between the ages of two and four because during this period the child spends more hours awake and exploring their world. Peer pressure normally causes school-aged children to stop. Tips for helping your child curb the habit: 1) Instead of scolding, praise them when they are not. 2) Remember children often suck their thumbs when they are insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety. 3) Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide the comfort. 4) Your dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue. 5) If these approaches are failing, reming the children of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the had at night. I have a one year old toddler who currently sucks her thumb and cringe everytime I see it go in her mouth as a dentist. But, I also know from my years in practice that children rarely carry the habit beyond 4 years of age. Good Luck!

Protecting Your Child's Teeth With Dental Sealants

Left:  Sealed Molar    Right:  Unsealed Molar

Our teeth are constantly being covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque.  When we eat or drink anything that contains sugar or starch - such as milk, bread, cookies, candy, soda, juice, fruit and many other foods and beverages - bacteria turn the sugar and starch into acids that can attack tooth enamel.  For some people, repeated acid attacks eventually result in decay.

One of the most common places that tooth decay develops is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, called premolars and molars.  When you run your tongue along the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, you can feel depressions and grooves.  The indentations, called pit and fissures, help to grind food.

Regular brushing and cleaning between teeth with floss or another interdental cleaner helps remove food particles and bacteria from the smooth surfaces of tooth enamel.  However, pits and fissures are difficult to keep clean.  That's because toothbrush bristles cannot reach into the microscopic grooves to remove plaque bacteria and tiny particles of food.

Because pits and fissure are difficult to keep clean, we recommend dental sealants.  A dental sealant is a plastic material that is applied to a chewing surface of a back tooth.  The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acid.  Ask us how dental sealants can benefit your child!