Parents Tips

1. Mouthguards

If your child is active in sports, you might want to consider having a mouthguard made. This can protect your child from injuries to the face, tongue, and lips, or from broken or knocked out teeth, and even fractures to the jaw. Ask your dentist to recommend a type of mouthguard for your child.

2. Fluoride

Fluoride is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is a mineral that combines with the enamel of the tooth to strengthen it. It is important that children get fluoride during the time when their teeth are forming. Children can get fluoride in a number of ways: they can drink water, take tablets, or use toothpaste or mouthwash that contain fluoride. Studies have shown that children who drink fluoridated water from the time they are born have 40-50% fewer cavities.

3. Sealants

Decay is most likely to occur on the surfaces of the back molars. A dental sealant is a clear material that is applied to prevent decay from happening. The bacteria and acid that attacks enamel cannot get through the protective barrier of the sealant, and teeth can remain decay-free for a lifetime.

4. Flossing

Flossing should start as soon as two teeth touch each other. A toothbrush cannot get in between the teeth, so it is important to floss once a day to get rid of the plaque that forms.

5. Brushing your child's teeth

Parents need to make sure their children are brushing their teeth regularly. Most children can brush on their own by the age of 6 or 7, but until that time, parents need to make sure their children only use a pea-size of fluoridated toothpaste on their toothbrush. Children should also spit out any left over toothpaste and should rinse well after each brushing. Your child should brush his teeth two times a day unless your dentist directs you differently.

Your dentist should recommend a toothbrush for your child. Children need to have smaller toothbrushes to fit in their mouths. The bristles should be soft so they don't harm gums. A toothbrush should be thrown out every 3 to 4 months, or when the bristles become frayed.

6. Can baby teeth get cavities?

Yes. As soon as teeth form, they are at risk for decay. One serious reason for this is baby bottle tooth decay. This happens when babies are given bottles while they sleep or nap. The fruit juice, milk or sugar water pools around the teeth for long periods of time, and the teeth are attacked by the acids. If you have to give your child a bottle to nap or go to bed, make sure it just has plain water in it.

7. Since my baby doesn't have any teeth, do I still need to clean his mouth?

Yes. It is really important to clean your child's mouth after every feeding. Just take a damp washcloth and gently wipe the baby's gums. This takes away plaque and bacteria.

8. At what age should I take my child to the dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that you take your child to the dentist by age one. The earlier, the better. The dentist can see if there are any areas of decay, advise you on how to brush your child's teeth, and determine how much fluoride your child should get.