When should my child start flossing?
Flossing is important to begin once the teeth begin to touch each other and can trap and harbour food and bacteria. The most important areas to floss for children is between their back molars. Try using floss sticks as they are much easier to use.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the authority on children’s oral health, states that “Kids should clean between their teeth once a day, every day, with floss or flossers to remove plaque and food where a toothbrush can’t reach. Children’s’ teeth can be flossed as soon as two of their teeth touch each other.”
How often should my child see a dentist?
Children should see their dentist twice a year. Routine assessments help to reinforce the feeling of the “dental home”, and this also allows the dentist to monitor feeding and oral hygiene habits. It is important to keep up with preventative methods to aid in good oral health.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children with a frequency of every six months. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. A number of factors might make it a good idea to see a dentist three or more times a year. People whose diet is rich in sugary foods or drinks should consider more frequent checkups. The majority of people will produce enough tartar in six months that it will need to be scraped off by a dental professional.
Is it okay for my child to use a pacifier?
Sucking is perfectly normal for babies and is very soothing for them; many stop by age two. Prolonged sucking, however, can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age three, professional help is recommended.
Although thumb-sucking and pacifier sucking essentially have the same effects, a pacifier is preferred over the thumb/finger because this habit is a lot easier to control. You can control when and where a pacifier is used. It is a lot more difficult to control a finger or thumb going into the mouth.
American Academy of Pediatric Dentists President Dr. Ed Moody writes:
“The sucking reflex is completely normal and many children will stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between 2 and 4 years of age. Frequent pacifier use over a longer period of time can affect the way a child’s teeth bite together and the growth of the jaw. The upper teeth may tip outward or become crooked and other changes in tooth position or jaw alignment could occur. Intervention may be recommended for children beyond 3 years of age. The earlier a child can stop a sucking habit, the less chance there is that it will lead to orthodontic problems down the road.”
Why is brusing before bed the most important time to brush?
While a child sleeps, any unswallowed liquid in the mouth feeds bacteria that produce acids and attack the teeth. Protect your child from severe tooth decay by brushing their teeth before putting them to bed and by also not giving them anything but water after the brushing. If they do have something to eat or drink again, remember to brush again!
Brush, Book, Bed, a program of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has a simple and clear message for parents:
*Each night, help your children to brush their teeth.
*Read a favorite book (or two)!
*Get to bed at a regular time each night.
Having a predictable nighttime routine will help them understand and learn to expect what comes next. Additionally, routines may ease the stress that some families experience at nighttime.
Brush, Book, Bed Overview:
The purpose of the Brush, Book, Bed (BBB) Program is to link together three important nighttime routines in one health message. It aims to educate both pediatric providers and families about the importance of nighttime routines and focuses on improving the implementation of oral health services in the medical home by linking oral health information to messages about early literacy and sleep. BBB may be used during the 6 month – 6 year old well-child visit.
When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, using a soft infant toothbrush or damp cloth, clean your child’s gums and as soon as the teeth begin to erupt, start brushing twice a day, morning and night.
In the additon, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends to “use a ‘smear’ of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a ‘pea-size’ amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.”
How often should I be brushing my child’s teeth?
It is important to brush twice a day! Once after breakfast, and again before bed at night. Night time brushing is the most important time because we don’t produce as much saliva while we are sleeping. Saliva production plays an important role in keeping our mouths clean and healthy.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advises parents and caregivers to visit 2min2x.org for key recommendations and tips on maintaining healthy teeth.
Can babies get cavities?
Baby Tooth Decay Is Real: As soon as teeth appear in your baby’s mouth, it’s possible for your baby to develop cavities. It is important to keep your baby’s gums and teeth clean to prevent tooth decay, even in baby teeth.
Prevent Kids’ Tooth Decay: You can prevent tooth decay for your kids by lowering the risk of your baby getting the bacteria that cause tooth decay. Make sure you take good care of your baby’s teeth – this reduces the number of bacteria in your baby’s mouth.
Nutrition: A balanced diet helps your children’s teeth and gums to be healthy. A diet high in natural or added sugars may place your child at extra risk for tooth decay.
A sugary or starchy food with sugar is safer for teeth if it is eaten with a meal, not as a snack. Chewing during a meal helps produce saliva which helps wash away sugar and starch.
Sticky foods like potato chips, raisins and other dried fruit and candy are not easily washed away from your kid’s teeth by saliva, water or milk, so they have more cavity-causing potential.
Talk to your dentist about serving foods that protect your kid’s dental health.
At what age should my child have their first dental visit?
The earlier, the better! It is recommended that the first dental visit starts at the age of 1 year or when the first teeth become visible. This not only helps to provide your child with a “dental home” but will also help new parents gather all the information they need to provide and encourage great oral health habits.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states this for the Clinical oral examination:
The first examination is recommended at the time of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age. The developing dentition and occlusion should be monitored throughout eruption at regular clinical examinations.
Early detection and management of oral conditions can improve a child’s oral health, general health and well-being, and school readiness. Delayed diagnosis of dental disease can result in exacerbated problems which lead to more extensive and costly care. Early diagnosis of developing malocclusions may allow for timely therapeutic intervention.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Insurance:
Please note that we do not have access to your insurance plan information or what your plan covers. This information is confidential and is only accessible by the policy holder.
We cannot be held responsible for the benefits covered or not covered by your insurance which includes:
• Recall exam frequency
• Co-payment percentage
• Deductible amount
• Fee guide covered by your insurance plan
• The treatment cost percentage covered by your insurance plan
Also, please ensure we are provided with the correct insurance information to effectively submit the claim to your insurance company.
Latex Free and Gluten Free
We are happy to announce that we only use Latex Free and Gluten Free products to accommodate those with allergies. The following Gluten Free dental products are included:
• Prophy Paste
• Fluoride
• Impression Material