At what age should dental care start for my child? How can I keep my toddler’s teeth healthy? When should I schedule the first checkup?

These are just a few of the questions parents have about their child’s dental care. You know you want to prevent cavities, but what’s the best way?

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you keep your child’s teeth healthy from birth:

Birth to First Tooth

Did you know infants are born with their entire set of 20 primary teeth already below the gum line? That’s why it’s important to think about dental care before the first tooth even comes in.

Gently wipe your baby’s gums with a clean damp washcloth or gauze pad after every feeding. Finish bottle feedings before putting your baby down to sleep.

Avoid putting pacifiers or feeding spoons in your mouth because you can pass cavity-causing germs to your baby. Instead, rinse pacifiers with water to clean them.

1st Tooth to 12 Months

The first tooth usually emerges when a baby is 6-8 months old. After the first tooth appears, lightly brush your baby’s teeth and gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush but no toothpaste. At this stage, you should schedule the first dental appointment. The AAPD recommends seeing a dentist by your baby’s first birthday.

12 to 24 Months

Continue brushing your child’s teeth twice daily with plain water only. Make a dentist appointment if you notice any irregular brown or white spots, which can indicate tooth decay.

2 – 8 Years

Around the age of 2 years, begin brushing your child’s teeth twice daily using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Teach your child to spit out all the toothpaste after brushing and not to swallow it.

Toddlers will need help brushing their teeth, but you can let them hold the toothbrush and try brushing them first. After they’ve had a turn, you can finish and make sure their teeth are brushed properly. Once your child has two teeth that touch, you should floss them daily.

Regular checkups every 6 months will help prevent cavities and other dental problems.

You’ll need to help your child until you’re confident they can clean their teeth properly by themselves. Every child is different, but most need supervision until ages 8-10.

What’s the best way to brush your child’s teeth?

1. Stand or sit behind your child so they feel secure. Brush teeth in front of a mirror so they can watch and learn – and you can see inside their mouth.

2. Angle the toothbrush bristles towards the gum. If you’re using an electric toothbrush, move the brush gently across the teeth. Move the brush in gentle circles if you’re using a manual toothbrush.

3. Brush the inner and outer sides of the teeth, the chewing surfaces, and the gum line.

4. Gently brush your child’s tongue.

5. After brushing for 2 minutes, encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste, not swallow it. There’s no need to rinse with water after brushing because the fluoride toothpaste left behind helps protect your child’s teeth.

Looking Ahead

As your kids grow and their permanent teeth come in, plan on routine dental checkups every 6 months. Limit sugary foods and encourage proper brushing and flossing to keep your child’s teeth healthy. When added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, these home treatments will help give your child a lifetime of healthy dental habits. To schedule an appointment, contact Atkins & Anderson DDS today.

You might have rescheduled your dentist appointment, but you don’t have to wait until your next visit to ensure you’re taking great care of your teeth and gums. We want everyone to have a positive experience when we see you in person, so here’s an oral care check-list for every member of your family.

Infants and Children

Your routine may not be as structured this summer, but it’s important to make sure that you and your child include oral care in your daily activity. It’s never too early to start teaching your children how to take care of their teeth and gums.

• Use a soft washcloth to wipe down your baby’s gums and teeth
• Don’t allow your baby to go to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice
• Begin using toothpaste and a toothbrush to brush your two-year-old’s teeth
• Make sure children learn to brush their teeth regularly and properly
• Avoid sugary snacks and hard, chewy candy

Teenagers

Now that your children have their permanent teeth, it’s crucial to take good care of them. Regular oral hygiene will give your teens a beautiful smile, good breath, and help prevent cavities and gum disease.

• Brush your teeth and tongue properly twice a day using a toothpaste with fluoride
• Floss at least once a day
• Avoid tobacco products that will stain your teeth, give you bad breath, and cause cancer
• Wear protective headgear when you’re playing contact sports

Adults

You can set a good example for your family and reduce your risk for gum disease, tooth loss, and other problems when you take care of your entire mouth.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day
• Avoid tobacco products
• Check out the inside of your mouth for noticeable changes, sores that won’t heal, or receding gums

If you have questions or concerns about your oral health, contact Anderson and Atkins Dentistry today. We will help you determine whether or not your issue is an emergency that requires a visit to our office. In the meantime, keep taking care of your teeth and gums! We look forward to seeing you soon.

There are many ways you can take an active role to ensure the oral health of your children. But our bodies are incredible, and one of the best ways to keep your mouth healthy is completely out of your control! This powerful tool is saliva. In most cases, you have no control over your saliva production and yet it takes care of your oral health in multiple ways. Learn more about the benefits of saliva and how you can make sure your child is producing enough.

What is Saliva?

Saliva is a clear liquid made up of water and natural chemicals in your body. Saliva is produced by the salivary glands in your mouth. They are located on the inside of your cheeks, under your tongue, and under your jaw at the front of your mouth. Your body works 24 hours a day to produce saliva and ends up producing two to four pints of saliva daily!

What Does Saliva Do for Me?

Saliva has an incredible purpose when it comes to keeping our mouth healthy. It helps you clean your teeth between meals by rinsing away food particles. It also contains enzymes that begin breaking down food before it reaches your stomach, thus helping with digestion. Saliva coats your tongue and allows you to actually taste your food. In fact, it would be difficult to eat without saliva. Saliva makes dry food wet in your mouth which helps you chew and swallow. Your saliva contains enzymes that not only break down your food but help reduce bacteria in your mouth. And last but not least, your saliva is filled with proteins that protect tooth enamel and reduce bad breath. It’s safe to say that saliva plays a crucial role in your overall oral health!

Is My Child Producing Enough Saliva?

The body naturally produces enough saliva, so on a regular basis, you should have nothing to worry about. However, there are some medications or medical conditions with side effects of dry mouth. Talk to your pediatrician if your child expresses concerns about having a dry mouth. Board certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Nanna Ariaban says, “Hydration can also affect saliva production, as (saliva) is mostly made of water. Make sure your child is drinking enough water, especially during the summer and during exercise!”

Anderson and Atkins, DDS is a Family Dentistry serving children and adults in the Bryan-College Station area. Our team is skilled at pediatric dentistry and able to help you teach your children good dental habits. One of our patients, Cheryl, says, “My family never dreads our visits to the dentist because everyone at this office is so amazing! They are so kind and helpful! I especially love how they make our children (ages 7 & 4) feel so comfortable, so they have never had to fear the dentist!” If you have questions about your child’s oral health or need to schedule a routine cleaning, call our office today at (979)846-1813, or email us for more information.