Thumb / Finger Habit

It is important to maintain good oral habits in children and just as important to understand and break the bad oral habits such as thumb and finger sucking. Sucking is normal for babies and young children so early intervention is not recommended. Most children stop this habit on their own between 2 and 4 years old and there is no reason to worry until the permanent front teeth start to erupt usually between the age of 5 or 6. If this habit continues it could cause the front teeth to shift causing buck teeth which would require orthodontic treatment.  Parents can develop a reward system to help your child break this habit, if that does not work your pediatric dentist may recommend a mouth appliance.    ........(Next Time......  Pediatric Dental Trauma)

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Your child's baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear, usually around 6 months of age.  Infant and toddler tooth decay is referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), most often occurring in the upper front teeth.  A factor for tooth decay is frequent-prolonged exposure to liquids that contain sugar(sweetened water, fruit juice, milk, breast milk and formula), the decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle or the bottle is used as a pacifier for a fussy baby.

Tooth decay is almost completely preventable.  After feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a clean damp cloth or gauze.  When teeth begin to erupt, brush gently with a child size toothbrush and water.  Children's fluoride toothpaste can be used around the age of 2.  Brush your child's teeth or supervise until age 6.  Avoid using the bottle for sugar water and juice, encourage child to drink from a cup by 1st birthday. Limit use of sippy cups and encourage healthy eating habits.  Early detection of decay is the key to this serious form of dental disease.  ................................................................ (Next Time:  Thumb/Finger Habit)

WHAT ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?

Dental sealants are a great way to protect your child's permanent teeth from cavities.
Most cavities occur on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.  The decay is due to food and bacteria accumulation in the pits and fissures of the posterior teeth. Dental sealants are a clear protective coating that is applied to the biting surface of the back, newly erupted primary or permanent molar and premolar teeth which protects the teeth from cavities by shielding against bacteria and plaque.
Sealants can last many years and have been proven to prevent decay.  (Next Time.....Baby Bottle Tooth Decay)

Fluoride varnish/supplements

Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, is often added to drinking water and is commonly found in toothpaste.  Research has shown that the rate of cavities decreases in area where fluoride is added to the water supply.  Health authorities, such as The American Dental Association and The World Health Organization, both advocate the addition of fluoride to drinking water and recommend the use of toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride treatments are available and recommended at your regular dental visits after a cleaning appointment every six months to one year.                     (Next time:  information about Sealants)

First Dental Visit for your Child

A pediatric dentist is a dental specialist that has completed 4 years of dental school then an additional 2 to 3 years of specialty training to treat children only.  A pediatric dentist teaches children the importance of oral hygiene, how to take care of their teeth and feeling comfortable at the dentist office. The first visit to the pediatric dentist should be when the first tooth erupts or at 12 months old.  This first oral visit will be to obtain medical history and a complete oral examination. Most children should see their dentist for a check up and cleaning every six months, this will help keep your teeth and gums healthy and detect any problems such as cavities or gum disease early.     (Next time.....Fluoride varnish/supplements)



for further information please visit http://www.aapd.org/  or  aapdinfo@aapd.org

Infant Oral Care

Infant dental care should be seen as the foundation on which a lifetime of preventive education and dental care can be built. Oral examination and preventive education at your infant's dental visits can enhance the opportunity for a lifetime of freedom from preventable oral disease. Infant dental care begins with appropriate prenatal nutritional counseling for parents.  A postnatal initial oral evaluation should occur within 6 months of the eruption of the first primary tooth and no later than 12 months of age.    (Next time.... what that first visit entails at Children's Dental Specialists)