Good oral habits start early and last a lifetime. Help your kids keep their smiles healthy with these simple tips.
Smiles are supposed to be contagious. As adults, we probably aren’t putting enough emphasis on the power of a good old-fashioned ear-to-ear grin. It can brighten someone’s day or make a person feel welcome, and it can even turn a difficult situation into something more manageable. Our smiles mean a lot.
That’s why we should teach our kids to take care of their smiles. Good oral hygiene is a skill that can be established in infancy and benefit a person well into adulthood. Even before the first tooth erupts, parents can soothe their babies by rubbing their gums, which in turn will prepare them for their first toothbrush.
“Gently wipe gums with a cloth or silicone finge brush after feedings to get the child used to having their mouth cleaned,” said Mike Myers, DMD, of Kids Teeth in Mount Pleasant.
Cavities usually are a parent’s first and greatest concern when it comes to caring for their child’s teeth. How much candy is too much? What about juice? The pediatric dentists at Kids Teeth do not recommend sugary drinks for children, but they said they understand that eliminating them altogether isn’t realistic. They advise that if a child does consume sugary beverages, they should be avoided before bedtime and after nighttime brushing. They say the last thing to touch the teeth at night should be the toothbrush or water.
Sugar exposure and cavity risks
“The more often kids sip on sugary drinks or snack on candy, the higher their risk for cavities,” explained Frances Gouldin, DDS, of Kids Teeth. “Every sip or bite coats the teeth in sugar, creating the perfect environment for cavities to form. It’s less harmful if sugary drinks are enjoyed with a meal or snack, rather than being sipped on throughout the day. The same goes for candy – eating it all at once, as long as it’s a sensible portion, is much better for teeth than munching on it all day long.”
Will MacDonald, DMD, with Kids Teeth said, “A cavity that is left untreated has the potential to progress to the nerve of the tooth. This can lead to pain, infection, swelling and abscess formation. If this is left untreated, it can lead to systemic infection and facial swelling, which can be a dangerous situation and requires immediate medical attention.”
Dr. MacDonald added that, typically, cavities do not cause symptoms when they are just starting to develop. As they get larger, they might lead to discomfort with chewing hot, cold or sweet items. This is one of the reasons routine dental care is so important; it prevents cavities from becoming costly problems.
Importance of early dental visits
In fact, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children’s first dental visit be at the age of 12 months or six months after their first tooth erupts. Kids Teeth offers complimentary 18-month-and-under appointments to encourage early dental care. After the completion of their first visit, pediatric dentists recommend coming back every six months for routine dental care.
Your child’s pediatric dentist is specifically trained to monitor growth and development of the mouth and refer children to an orthodontist if braces are needed. Permanent teeth erupt at two different stages, beginning from ages 5 through 8. This is when the front permanent teeth come in, along with the set of permanent molars. Once those teeth are in, some patients benefit from a first phase of orthodontics. Often, this is to correct crossbites, asymmetries or severe crowding. Many children can wait until all of their permanent teeth are in, which is closer to age 12, to start orthodontics, but it is important to monitor tooth eruption throughout the developmental years. With many children, it’s necessary to guide the eruption of developing teeth because they have extra teeth, missing teeth, malpositioned developing teeth or asymmetrical tooth eruption.
James Kelley, DMD, with Kelley & Gardner Orthodontics said, “It is important to have your child seen by an orthodontic specialist at age 7. Although your child will most likely not require treatment at this age, it is a good time to check for potential issues such as crossbites, bad habits or other problems that can impact growth and eruption. If treatment is not needed, it is still a great age to be in an observation program with a specialist so they begin treatment at the ideal time for their unique case. Many orthodontists offer complimentary consultations and will offer observation checkups at no cost.”
Dr. Kelley added, “The way your child’s teeth align in their mouth can have a tremendous impact on their speech, eating habits, sleeping habits and overall ability to function well as an adult.”
Flossing and fluoride at an early age
It’s important to mention that flossing is also vital at a young age. Dr. Myers suggested that parents start flossing their child’s teeth or assisting them with flossing as soon as there are teeth that are touching, which is typically in the back of the mouth first. He said, “In many children, there are spaces between baby teeth, in which case flossing is less important. With time and further dental development, these spaces often close.”
Lastly, it’s important not to overlook the benefits of fluoride. Dr. Gouldin explained. “Fluoride acts to prevent cavities in three ways: strengthening the outer surface of teeth, rehardening the surface of teeth and reducing acid production by cavity-causing bacteria.”
Is a smile really worth a thousand words? Maybe. Start your children off on the right path to a smile they can share proudly with the world.
By Theresa Stratford
