Did you know...?!

Tooth decay is the number ONE chronic infectious disease among children in the U.S.?!

Cavities can begin as early as 1 year old!

According to the AAPD, “Children with tooth decay are far more likely to develop immediate and long term oral health issues, including pain, infections, difficulty speaking, problems eating food, tooth discoloration and even tooth loss.”

Here are some helpful tips for parents:

For babies up to 2 years old:

Clean your babies gums with a soft cloth or toothbrush at bath time. Once their teeth come in, you can brush with a toothbrush and a small smear of fluoride toothpaste. If your baby gets a bottle for bed, give nothing BUT WATER, no milk. Bottles that contain sugary liquids like milk or juice can put those teeth under acid attack all night long. Never dip a pacifier in anything sweet. We recommend establishing a dental home by scheduling an appointment with a pediatric dentist (like us!) by their first birthday. This appointment is all about discussing your child’s growth and development, healthy brushing habits, diet recommendations, fluoride exposure, anticipatory guidance and trauma prevention.

For 2-5 years old:

Brush those little teeth twice per day, once in the morning and once at night, with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Night time is the most important. See your dentist twice per year (or every 6 months) for a check-up, cleaning and x-rays as deemed necessary by the doctor. These visits may also include discussions about habits such as finger sucking or pacifier use. These habits over time can push the upper teeth forward or cause changes in their bite. Watch for snacking, and try to stay away from ewey, gooey sticky snacks like fruit snacks or goldfish. These types of snacks stick to the grooves and in-between teeth causing cavities. Start flossing your child’s teeth as soon as any tooth teeth start touching, especially the molars in the back. Avoid juices because these can bathe the teeth in sugar. Water is the best drink!

For 6 years old and up:

All of the above plus parents should supervise their children’s’ brushing and flossing until about 7 or 8 years old. Chewing xylitol gum has been shown to stimulate saliva flow which helps to clean the mouth. If your child participates in sports or physical activities, protect your child’s teeth by having them wear a mouth guard. Avoid carbonated beverages, sports drinks, sodas or juices which are very acidic and can erode enamel on their teeth. Talk to your dentist about protecting the grooves of your child’s molars with sealants!