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Care of Your
Child's Teeth
Good Diet = Healthy
Teeth
How Do I Prevent
Cavities?
Seal Out Decay
Fluoride
Mouth Guards
Xylitol
- Reducing Cavities
Parent Education Articles
Care of Your Child’s Teeth
Begin daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth erupts.
A pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough not to
swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day
with supervision until about age seven to make sure they are doing a thorough job.
However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child
has the skill level to brush properly.
Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing
surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place toothbrush at a 45 degree angle;
start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer
surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and
chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath
and remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth, where a toothbrush
can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You should
floss
the child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss,
winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between
the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between
the teeth. Curve the floss into a C-shape and slide it into the space between the gum and
tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth.
Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget the backs of the last four teeth.
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Good Diet = Healthy Teeth
 Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the
body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet.
Children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups. Most snacks that
children eat can lead to cavity formation. The more frequently a child snacks, the greater
the chance for tooth decay. How long food remains in the mouth also plays a role. For
example, hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, which cause longer
acid attacks on tooth enamel. If your child must snack, choose nutritious foods such as
vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and low-fat cheese, which are healthier and better for
children’s teeth.
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How
Do I Prevent Cavities?
Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and the left over food particles that
combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth
to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Avoid putting your child to bed with
a bottle filled with anything other than water. See "Baby
Bottle Tooth Decay" for more information.
For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also,
watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visits every six
months
to the pediatric dentist, beginning at your child’s first birthday. Routine
visits will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.
Your pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home
fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child’s
molars to prevent decay on hard to clean surfaces.
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Seal Out Decay
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to
the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of
five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and
acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
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Before Sealant Applied
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After Sealant Applied
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Fluoride
Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to
teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or
no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride
ingestion by preschool-aged children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white
to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Many children often get more fluoride
than their parents realize. Being aware of a child’s potential sources of fluoride
can help parents prevent the possibility of dental fluorosis.
Some of these sources are:
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Too much fluoridated toothpaste at an early age.
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The inappropriate use of fluoride supplements.
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Hidden sources of fluoride in the child’s diet.
Two and three year olds may not be able to expectorate (spit out)
fluoride-containing toothpaste when brushing. As a result, these youngsters may ingest an
excessive amount of fluoride during tooth brushing. Toothpaste ingestion during this
critical period of permanent tooth development is the greatest risk factor in the
development of fluorosis.
Excessive and inappropriate intake of fluoride supplements may also
contribute to fluorosis. Fluoride drops and tablets, as well as fluoride fortified
vitamins should not be given to infants younger than six months of age. After that time,
fluoride supplements should only be given to children after all of the sources of ingested
fluoride have been accounted for and upon the recommendation of your pediatrician or
pediatric dentist.
Certain foods contain high levels of fluoride,
especially powdered
concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach,
and infant chicken products. Please read the label or contact the manufacturer. Some
beverages also contain high levels of fluoride, especially decaffeinated teas, white
grape juices, and juice drinks manufactured in fluoridated cities.
Parents can take the following steps to decrease the risk of
fluorosis in their children’s teeth:
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Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young child.
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Place only a pea sized drop of children’s toothpaste on the
brush when brushing.
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Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride before requesting
fluoride supplements from your child’s physician or pediatric dentist.
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Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until
they are at least 6 months old.
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Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water before
giving fluoride supplements to your child (check with local water utilities).
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Mouth
Guards
When a child begins to participate in recreational
activities and organized sports, injuries can occur. A properly fitted mouth
guard, or mouth protector, is an important piece of athletic gear that can
help protect your child’s smile, and should be used during any activity
that could result in a blow to the face or mouth.
Mouth guards help prevent broken teeth, and injuries
to the lips, tongue, face or jaw. A properly fitted mouth guard will stay in
place while your child is wearing it, making it easy for them to talk and
breathe.
Ask your pediatric dentist about custom and
store-bought mouth protectors.
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Xylitol - Reducing Cavities
The
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of
xylitol on the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons
with special health care needs.
The
use of XYLITOL GUM by mothers (2-3 times per day) starting 3 months after
delivery and until the child was 2 years old, has proven to reduce cavities
up to 70% by the time the child was 5 years old.
Studies using xylitol as either a sugar
substitute or a small dietary addition have demonstrated a dramatic
reduction in new tooth decay, along with some reversal of existing dental
caries. Xylitol provides additional protection that enhances all existing
prevention methods. This xylitol effect is long-lasting and possibly
permanent. Low decay rates persist even years after the trials have been
completed.
Xylitol is widely distributed throughout
nature in small amounts. Some of the best sources are fruits, berries,
mushrooms, lettuce, hardwoods, and corn cobs. One cup of raspberries contains
less than one gram of xylitol.
Studies suggest xylitol intake that consistently produces positive results
ranged from 4-20 grams per day, divided into 3-7 consumption periods. Higher
results did not result in greater reduction and may lead to diminishing
results. Similarly, consumption frequency of less than 3 times per day
showed no effect.
To find gum or other products containing
xylitol, try visiting your local health food store or search the Internet to
find products containing 100% xylitol.
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