Brushing

Optimal oral hygiene is a team effort between you, your child, and your dental provider. In between routine dental exams, your child’s teeth should be cared for every day.

Although your child may enjoy their sense of independence by brushing themselves, be sure to assist them. Our children lack the coordination to reach all tooth surfaces, so be sure to brush through a second time, reaching the areas that they may have missed. Brush gently, twice a day, morning and night, for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.

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Fluoride Toothpaste Prevents Tooth Decay

Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in our mouths. These bacteria feed on leftover food, including sugary foods and drinks. When these bacteria consume sugars, they release acids that attack the tooth enamel, the surface of our teeth. Over time, damage to this protective outer layer of our teeth sets the stage for tooth decay.

Fluoride toothpaste helps strengthen and protect tooth enamel against cavities. Start with a grain-sized amount of toothpaste for children under 2 years. Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children 3 years old and older. Your child is still not old enough to brush alone, so you will need to help them brush.

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Flossing

Flossing daily helps prevent dental plaque from building up. Flossing helps remove food particles between teeth, where a toothbrush can not reach.

Once your child’s teeth begin to touch one another, start using dental floss at least once a day. Your child’s dental provider can show you and your child how to floss.

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Pacifiers

Sucking is a normal part of growth that is comforting to children well into their first years of life. If you choose to have your infant use a pacifier, take the following safety precautions:

  • Keep the pacifier clean.
  • Never dip the pacifier into honey or anything sweet before giving it to a baby.
  • Never attach a pacifier to your baby’s crib or body with a string, ribbon, or cord.
  • A pacifier’s shield should be wider than the child’s mouth. Discontinue use if the child can fit the entire pacifier in his mouth.
  • Inspect pacifiers frequently for signs of wear; discard if the bulb has become sticky, swollen, or cracked.

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Cavities Are Contagious

It is not a well-known fact, but cavities are contagious and can be spread from person to person. Cavity-causing bacteria can spread to your child by sharing forks, cups, toothbrushes, etc. Teach your child to avoid inserting any object in their mouth that has been in somebody else’s mouth.

When sharing food during meal times, be sure to use a clean utensil to cut pieces of food for your child instead of biting it off. If your child still uses a pacifier, clean it with a sterile washcloth and water; do not use your own mouth to clean the pacifier.

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Watch for Signs of Cavities

Sometimes children do not know they have a cavity until their dentist finds it. In between your child’s regular visits to a dental provider, it is useful to perform regular visual inspections of your child’s teeth monthly. Look for the following signs of cavities:

  • White and brown spots on your child’s teeth are early signs of cavities.
  • Black spots and holes in your child’s teeth are signs of moderate to severe tooth decay.
Your dental provider may recommend a fluoride varnish treatment if your child is at risk for tooth decay.

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