Toothbrushing and Flossing

• Begin cleaning the teeth as soon as they erupt.
• Do NOT start a toothpaste with flouride until your child can spit unless
  instructed by a dentist.
  (why? – risk getting fluorosis = white and brown specks on the adult teeth).
• Use toddler toothpaste that is fluoride free.
• Begin flossing as soon as any 2 teeth touch – especially after eating chicken or fibrous foods – like apples or mangoes.
• Parent supervise toothbrushing and flossing until your child is near the age of 8
  
  

Diet suggestions

• Avoid juice and soda (contain lots of sugar and acid).
• AAP Guidelines – no more than 4 ounces of sweet liquid per day for toddlers
• Avoid frequent sipping on sweet liquids.
• Avoid sticky or dried fruit or fruit snacks(roll-ups)
• Avoid eating or drinking during the night. (decreased saliva at night)
• Avoid sour candies- Skittles, Starbursts (acid burns holes in teeth!)
  
  

Fluoridated Water

• Fluoride REMINERALIZES and protects the tooth from acid destruction!
• Drink fluoridated bottled water if your water supply is NOT fluoridated.
• Note BRITA water filters and filters attached to your faucet do NOT remove
  fluoride from the water.
• Reverse osmosis filters(located under your sink) do remove fluoride.
  

Habits – Pacifiers, Thumbs,Fingers

• American Academy of Pediatrics recommends pacifier use in the first year of
  life to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SIDS)
  (AAP.org – SIDS Policy Statement).
• Goal is to encourage the cessation of digit sucking habits by age 5 before
  Permanent teeth begin to erupt to avoid crossbites or protrusive incisors
• Use positive reinforcement to help stop the habit.
  
  

ECC = Early Childhood Caries (CDC term for tooth decay)
Direct causes of DEMINERALIZATION (cavities)

• FREQUENT juice and/or snacks
• sweet liquids (juice, soda) in a sippy cup or bottle
• sticky foods(raisins, gummies – even gummy vitamins)
• liquid medicine – contains 50% sugar
• GE Reflux – stomach acid on the teeth
  
  

Factors that contribute to DEMINERALIZATION (cavities)

• parent with cavity history
• tight or crowded teeth
• tooth defects*(soft or groovy teeth)*
• medical conditions – congenital heart disease, asthma
• inconsistent oral hygiene
• tight lips – contribute to food holding and make toothbrushing
  difficult.
• inability to use tongue to naturally clean teeth (tongue-tied)
• food holder or slow swallower
• xerostomia(dry mouth)
  
  

Dental radiographs-first x-rays maybe needed:

1. after the dentist can no longer see between the back baby molars – (average age 4)
2. after a cavity develops or a dental injury occurs


Mouth Trauma

• Child proof your home – remove sharp corners(coffee tables)
• Frenum tear (skin under upper lip) – bleeds a lot! Keep head above heart
  and put washcloth over tear to stop bleeding. Rarely needs stitches.
• Concussion injury ( bumped tooth ) Tooth may turn yellow or dark gray.
  Watch for abscess formation if tooth is dark.
• Luxation (pushed forward or backward) reposition tooth ASAP!
• Intrusion ( pushed into gum ) – allow to re-erupt.
• Avulsion ( tooth knocked out ) – locate tooth. Do NOT replant a baby tooth