Let your child brush their teeth.

Many children like showing their independence by doing tasks, such as brushing their teeth, on their own. Even if your child is still not brushing correctly, you should let them brush their teeth before or after you have brushed them.  Doing so can be done in steps to teach your child how to brush correctly. Allowing them some time to brush their teeth may make it fun for them. The more a child wants to brush their teeth, the better. When your child is around six, they should be able to brush their teeth correctly.

When you are confident your child can brush alone, you may want to buy a timer and time your child’s brushing to ensure they are brushing for the recommended two minutes. Do a final inspection of your child’s mouth. Inspecting their teeth after brushing gives you a chance to check for any teeth that have been missed, visually show your child the area and demonstrate how he should brush in that area too.  And remember to praise your child on a job well done.

Did you know that cheese can help your kids’ teeth?

Cheese can help you protect your child’s teeth from tooth decay. Offering your child a piece of cheese after a meal or snack helps neutralize the harmful acids from the mouth. In addition, cheese helps to strengthen tooth enamel and becomes a perfect barrier that will protect from tooth caries.

Baby Teeth Care:

Babies can start teething as soon as three months, but generally, for most babies teething beings around six to seven months. The first teeth that usually appear are the lower incisors (front teeth). As your child grows and develops more teeth, you can use a toothbrush designed for your child’s age. Avoid using fluoride toothpaste until your child is old enough to understand that swallowing the toothpaste should be avoided.

Daily oral hygiene for Infants.

Oral hygiene is just as important to infants as to children and adults. Even though a baby may not have teeth, you still need to provide daily oral hygiene for your infant. Infants require daily oral hygiene because the tissues in the mouth require cleansing to prevent irritation and infection. Thrush is a treatable fungal infection caused by yeast that often appears in areas of the mouth that may have torn tissue due to the constant sucking of a pacifier or bottle or during breastfeeding. The tiny tears remain moist; if not removed, the yeast can cause this painful condition.

Tooth Brushing Charts an Easy Way to Remind your Kids to Brush.

Parents can typically have a hectic day, so it is easy to forget things at that time. Kids can be just as busy doing their kid stuff and failing to brush often happens. Using a brushing chart will help your kids remember to brush and floss their teeth daily and reassure you that this vital task is remembered. You can find tooth brushing charts free online or make them yourself.

Soft Drinks for Your Teeth Health The Good, Bad, and Ugly.

The average American is estimated to drink nearly 600 cans of soda per year. Studies have shown that soft drinks are a causing factor in adults and children’s tooth decay. The problem with soda regarding dental health is that many sodas contain acids and sugars that could erode tooth enamel over time. Even diet sodas contain phosphoric or citric acid and still cause dental erosion — though considerably less than their sugared counterparts. According to researchers from the University of Maryland Baltimore Dental School, drinks that are incredibly aggressive to eroding tooth enamel are light-colored soda (such as Sprite and Mountain Dew) and canned iced tea (such as Arizona Iced Tea). If you like soda, root beer products did the least damage. Other safer drinks for teeth would be water, brewed black tea, and black coffee. All showed minimal tooth enamel damage. Another helpful tip to soft drink drinkers would be to drink soda out of a straw which will help to reduce soda’s contact with your teeth.

Early Childhood Cavities, including Baby Bottle Tooth Decay, are infectious diseases that can be prevented. Approximately two-thirds of low-income children have cavities. This is an amount about 40% higher than for children that are not in low-income families. Early Childhood Cavities Prevention (ECCP) is a nationwide campaign to increase awareness about the importance of preventive oral health care in infants’ first years.

Sports Drinks Harmful Effects on Teeth.

Many parents try and limit the amount of soda their child drinks, but sports drinks can be just as harmful to their children’s teeth. Most sports drinks are quite acidic (pH 3-4) and may lead to dental erosion and demineralization if taken to excess. One study found that 57% of 11-14 year-olds had evidence of some dental decay.

Expectant Mothers and Dental Appointments

There is evidence associating periodontal (gum) disease with an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. A recently published study found significant differences between women treated for periodontal disease and those who went untreated for gum disease. The findings suggest that incorporating periodontal care may result in improved pregnancy outcomes.

Expectant Mothers Should Consider Visiting a Dentist During Pregnancy

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the recognized leader in pediatric oral health, announced oral health guidelines for expectant mothers and infants. The guidelines call for all pregnant women to receive counseling and oral healthcare during pregnancy and infants to receive an oral health risk assessment and oral care by their first birthday. These steps will contribute to optimal oral health for both mom and baby.