Early Childhood Oral Care

When should I bring my child for the first dental visit?

Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday.  Children who have established a “dental home” early are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.  They are also more comfortable and relaxed at the dentist as they get familiar with the environment.

To support the BC Dental Association’s and the Amercian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s recommendations for having your children’s first dental exam by their first birthday, we offer free dental exam for children under 18 months of age.  Call us now and make an appointment today.

 

When will my Baby Start Getting Teeth?

Most babies start to get their first tooth by 6 month of age.   All 20 baby teeth would usually be in the mouth by 3 years of age.
This is a chart showing the sequence of how the teeth would start to appear in your baby’s mouth.

 

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Caries)?

Dental caries is a bacteria infection of the teeth.  It can be transmitted from one person to another; just like a cold or flu.   Bacteria in the mouth changes the sugars and starches we eat into an acid.  The acid eats away the enamel of the teeth, causing holes on the teeth.   Young children are more at risk for cavities than adults because the enamel or outer surface of the baby teeth is thinner than adult teeth.

Putting a child to bed with a bottle containing formula, milk, juice or soda or sleeping with your child so that they breast feed at will can lead to nursing caries.  Unswallowed sweet liquids in the mouth support bacteria that attack the teeth and can lead to severe caries.  Protect your child from early childhood caries by putting them to sleep only with a pacifier or a bottle of water.

 

When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?

You should start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as they appear.  A small, pea-size dab of fluoride toothpaste can be used.  On outer and inner surfaces of the teeth, place toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and start along gum line; use gentle, short, strokes against the gumline.  On chewing surfaces, hold the brush flat and brush back and forth.

One of the best ways to encourage brushing is to be a good role model.  Many parents brush their own teeth while brushing their child’s, making brushing a fun time together.

 

What's the best toothpaste for my Child?

One of the best ways to keep your child brushing is by having fluoride toothpaste on hand that is pleasing and easy to use. The taste can make brushing a more enjoyable experience, leading to more thorough brushing. It is important to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste to help strengthen tooth enamel.

 

When should I floss my child’s teeth?

Flossing daily removes plaque and food particles between teeth and below the gumline. You should start flossing your child’s teeth even when they have only their primary teeth, especially their teeth have no or minimal space between them. You will have to help your young children to floss as many children do not have the manual dexterity of manipulate the floss.

 

Can problems result from prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking?

The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously such their thumbs.Some aggressive thumbsuckers may cause problems with their baby teeth. The good news is as long as your child stops the habit before the permanent front teeth come in (at around 5-6 years old), there should not be any lasting changes on the alignment of teeth and jaws.

Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, pacifier use is often an easier habit to break.

 

What should I do with my child’s thumbsucking or pacifier habit?

Most children stop on their own between the ages of two and four years. Sucking gradually lessens during this period, as children spend more of their waking hours exploring their surroundings. If your child does not stop on his or her own, you can try to discourage the habit by age four.

You can consider:

• Instead of scolding your child for sucking, offer praise for not sucking
• Remember that children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or seeking comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and comfort your child
• Reward your child when he or she avoids sucking during difficult periods, such as being separated from you.
• Your child’s dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop.