Sweets combined with forgetful little minds can spell
trouble
for your kids’ (hopefully) pearly whites
Smile! February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, so there’s no better time for a family to show off those pearly whites.
Though kids do battle for their teeth by brushing and flossing every day, use this month as a special opportunity to talk about the arch nemesis of all teeth: Plaque.
By teaching children to fight against cavities now, parents can save themselves a bundle in dentist bills and children will have a healthy mouth for a lifetime.
Tooth Tips from the ADA
– Brush your teeth twice a day with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste.
– Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner. Decay–causing bacteria still linger between teeth where toothbrush bristles can’t reach.
Flossing removes plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line.
– Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
– Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
– Replace your toothbrush every three or four months, or sooner if the bristles become frayed. A worn toothbrush will not do a good job of cleaning your teeth.
Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adults because they can wear out sooner.
– The ADA recommends that a dentist examine a child within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday.
Source: American Dental Association
Especially for Braces …
– Kids should see an orthodontist before age 7 just to have an evaluation.
“Some problems can be corrected early if they are caught in time, and that makes treatments easy later on, too,” Menold said.
– Children with braces must spend more time brushing and flossing because it is often more difficult and must be done carefully to ensure clean braces.
“There are more places for food to hide with braces,” Menold said. “And sugary foods that get caught in braces for a while can cause decay.”
– Avoid hard and sticky foods, such as French bread, caramels and Gummy Bears.
These kinds of foods can break or bend wires in braces.
– Adjust foods as necessary: Cut the meat off ribs, take the corn off the cob and cut up apples for children with braces.
– Watch out for bad habits. Biting the caps of pens or fingernails can wreak havoc on braces.
– Source: Dr. Geralyn Menold, an orthodontist in Hollister
Kid Care
– Electric toothbrushes are one of the best tools for cleaning teeth.
– Mouthwashes help with problems such as gingivitis.
Find a brand that is either made for kids or doesn’t have the burning sensation some brands have.
Listerine recently came out with a mouthwash that turns plaque blue so kids can see where they need to spend more time brushing.
– “Parents need to supervise while their children brush to make sure they’re doing a good job,” said Dr. Michael McKeever, a pediatric dentist in Gilroy. “It takes a long time for children to learn how to brush well. If they’re left on their own, they may be cleaning the same areas over and over, but not going over every tooth.”
– A low-sugar diet will help prevent most cavities.
– Buy fluoride tablets or fluoridated water for children.
– Look for sugar-free chewing gum made with Xylotol. Studies show Xylotol prevents bacteria from growing in the mouth.
– “Parents would have lower dental bills if they practice prevention with their children,” McKeever said. “Kids with healthy mouths are the happiest patients.
They only have to come in twice a year for check-ups and they leave with a prize.”
– Source: Dr. Michael McKeever, a pediatric dentist in Gilroy
