Preventive

· Fluoride Supplements
· Infant/Toddler
· Prepare your child for first visit to the dentist
· Facts about nutrition and decay
· Baby to permanent teeth
· X-rays
· Sealants
· Fluoride
· Parental Responsibility

Fluoride is one of the most effective elements for preventing tooth decay. This mineral combines with tooth enamel to strengthen it against decay. Fluoride may also actually reverse microscopic cavities by enhancing the process by which minerals, including calcium, are incorporated into the teeth.

The most effective way for your child to get fluoride's protection is by drinking water containing the right amount of the mineral… about one part fluoride per million parts water. This is of special benefit to children, because fluoride is incorporated into enamel as teeth form. Children who, from birth, drink water-containing fluoride have up to 40% fewer cavities. Many of them remain cavity-free through their teens.

Even though your regular water supply may be fluoridated, it is still important to discuss with your dentist any additional fluoride needs your child may have. Look for fluoride toothpastes and over-the-counter fluoride mouth rinses that carry the ADA seal. They have been proven safe and effective for their intended use. The advertising claims for these products have been reviewed by the American Dental Association so the claims are accurate and not misleading.

Your dentist may recommend various ways to get fluoride protection, including:

· Drinking fluoridated water at school.

· Taking prescribed fluoride tablets or drops.

· Brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste after age two.

· Using a fluoride mouth rinse for children over age six.

Infant/Toddler

People usually think of a newborn baby as having no teeth. But the 20 primary teeth that will erupt in the next two and half years are already present at birth in the baby's jawbones. At birth, the crowns of the primary teeth are almost complete and the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars have begun to form. The front four teeth usually erupt first, beginning as early as six months after birth. Your infant depends totally on you for dental care.

You should begin cleaning the baby's mouth during the first few days after birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby's gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad to remove plaque. This establishes, at an early age, the importance of dental hygiene and the feeling of having clean teeth and gums. To clean you child's teeth, place the child in a comfortable position that will allow easy access to his or her mouth. Your infant depends totally on you for dental care!

Keeping teeth Healthy

Tooth brushing

To prevent tooth decay and periodontal diseases, tooth brushing and flossing are needed daily to remove harmful plaque from your child's teeth. Look for a tooth brush that bears the ADA seal. They have been shown to be safe and effective for their intended use. The advertising claims for these products have been reviewed by the American Dental Association and the claims are accurate and not misleading. Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush for your child

Children need smaller tooth brushes, specifically designed for them. Generally, a brush with soft, end-rounded or polished bristles is recommended, since it is less likely to injure gum tissue. All children go though toothbrushes quickly. Check you child's toothbrush often and replace it when it is worn out. Bent or frayed bristles will not clean plaque from your child's teeth and they can damage the gums. The ADA recommends replacing toothbrushes every 3 months. Brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Select a fluoride toothpaste with the seal of the American Dental Association.
Springfield Missouri, Dentist - Education Photo

Flossing

Children under six years of age should clean their teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste after every meal at bedtime.

1. Holding the toothbrush bristles at a 45-degree angle against the gum line, move the brush back and forth with short strokes – half a tooth wide – in a gentle, scrubbing motion.

2. Brush the outer surfaces of all teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth.

3. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.

4. Use about 18 inches of floss, wind most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss tightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, sawing motion to guide the floss between the teeth.

5. Curve the floss into a C shape and slide it into the space between the gum and the tooth until you feel resistance. Now, gently scrape the floss, in an up and down motion, against the side of the tooth.

6. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don't forget the backs of the last four teeth.

Flossing removes plaque that hides between the teeth and under the gum line, areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Supervising your child while he or she brushes and flosses will ensure a proper job is done.

Prepare your child for first visit to the dentist

One to five years

Take your child to see the dentist by his or her first birthday. Your child's first visit to the dentist can be a pleasant adventure. Talk about the visit in a positive matter-of-fact way, as you would any important new experience. Explain that the dentist is a friendly doctor who will help the child stay healthy. During the first visit, the child's mouth will be examined for tooth decay and other problems. The teeth may be cleaned by the dentist or the dental hygienist. The dentist will explain how the child's teeth should be cleaned at home, how diet and eating habits affect the dental health and methods to ensure that your child gets sufficient fluoride.

Most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth by the time they are three years old. Primary teeth are just as important as permanent teeth --- for chewing, speaking, and appearance. In addition, the primary teeth hold the space in the jaws for the permanent teeth.
Springfield Missouri, Dentist - Education Photo

You should start brushing the child's teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts. Flossing should begin when all the primary teeth have erupted, usually by age 2 to 2 ½. By age 4 or 5, the child may be able to brush his or her own teeth under your supervision. The pre-school years are an important time to help your child establish good eating habits, since you can control your child's diet successfully. At this age, many children need to eat snacks or “mini-meals”. They cannot always eat enough food at mealtimes to get all the nutrients and energy they need. Help your child choose sensible snacks--- foods that don't promote tooth decay.

Facts about nutrition and decay

Basic Dental Health Facts

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria by-products that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. Unless it is thoroughly removed daily, it can lead to dental cavities (tooth decay) and periodontal diseases (gum diseases).

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a major cause of tooth loss in children. Tooth decay, or dental caries is caused by bacteria. For a tooth to decay, three elements are needed: plaque, food containing sugars and starches are eaten, the bacteria in plaque produces acids that can dissolve tooth enamel. The sticky plaque holds these acids onto the teeth, where, if left, the acids can begin to attack the enamel. After repeated attacks, the enamel may break down, forming a cavity.

Periodontal Disease

Periodontal diseases affect the gums and bones that support the teeth. A recent survey stated that some form of periodontal disease affects 39 percent of children and 68 percent teenagers in the United States alone. Furthermore, periodontal disease has proven to be a worldwide problem within all age groups. Studies show that many periodontal problems, which occur later in life, could be caused by the neglect of oral care during childhood and adolescence.

An early sign of periodontal disease is swollen gums that bleed easily, especially when teeth are brushed or flossed. Toxins that are created by bacteria found in plaque cause periodontal diseases. If plaque is not removed by daily brushing and flossing, along with regular professional cleaning by the dentist or dental hygienist, these toxins can irritate the gums, making them tender and likely to bleed. If not treated at an early stage, bleeding gums can become progressively worse. Eventually, effecting the bone, which can cause teeth to become loose or to fall out.

Diet

For a balanced diet, children should eat a variety of foods from the five major food groups:

· Fruits

· Vegetables

· Breads, Cereals and other grains

· Milk, Cheese, Yogurt

· Meat, Poultry fish and their alternatives, such as dry beans and peas, eggs and nuts.

An improper diet can contribute to tooth decay. Many factors determine how foods affect your child's teeth. The more often your child snacks on foods containing sugars an starches, the greater the chance for tooth decay. Other major factors affecting teeth include:

· The length of time food is in the mouth. Foods such as hard candy and breath mints stay in the mouth a long time, leading to extended acid attacks on the teeth.

· Physical characteristics of the food. Raisins, cookies, dried fruits and cereals tend to stick to the teeth, which prolongs the acid attack.

· The time of day a food is eaten. Carbohydrates eaten as part of a meal are less harmful to teeth than if they are eaten alone. Foods eaten just before bedtime can stay on the teeth throughout the night. Foods, such as cheese, may help counter the effect of the acids produced by the bacteria in plaque.

Six to Twelve Years

As your child nears age 6, the jaws grow, making room for the permanent teeth. At the same time, the roots of the primary teeth begin to be absorbed by the tissue around them, and the permanent teeth under them prepare to erupt. The first permanent molars usually erupt between ages five and six, so they are sometimes called the six-year molars. Because the six-year molars do not replace any primary teeth they are often mistaken for primary teeth. You should remember that they are permanent teeth and must be cared for properly if they are to last throughout your child's lifetime. These molars are especially important because they determine the shape of the lower part of the face. They also affect the position and health of the other permanent teeth. Sometimes a primary tooth is lost before a permanent tooth beneath it is ready to erupt. If primary teeth are lost too early, nearby teeth can tip or move into the vacant space. When the permanent teeth are ready to come into the mouth, there will not be enough room. As a result, they may erupt out of their proper position, leading to malocclusion.

To avoid such future problems, your dentist may recommend using a space maintainer to reserve space for the permanent tooth. If a primary tooth does not fall out when it should, your dentist may recommend that it be removed to prevent the irregular eruption of the permanent tooth.

Your dentist may recommend that your child use an over-the-counter fluoride mouth rinse daily after age six. Be sure to instruct and, if necessary, supervise your child in the use of these mouth rinses. By age 7, your child should be able to brush alone. Flossing, however, is a more difficult skill to master. At about age 8, the child should be able to floss his or her own teeth under supervision.

Why do I need x-Rays?

Dental X-Rays are extremely valuable for helping to detect oral diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues. An X-Ray exam may reveal small cavities that can't be seen by a visual exam, infections in the bone, abscesses, cysts, developmental abnormalities, such as extra or impacted teeth and some types of tumors. Just because such diseases, including early tooth decay, can't be seen by a visual exam does not mean that treatment isn't required.

Is it safe to have dental X-Rays?

Yes. Numerous precautions and advances in X-Ray equipment help protect patients from receiving unnecessary radiation. The amount of radiation received from a dental exam is extremely small compared to other naturally occurring sources of radiation, including minerals in the soil, radon, and cosmic radiation from outer space. A full-mouth series of films, using start-of-the-art technology, will deliver an effective dose that is equivalent to about 19 days of exposure to naturally occurring environmental radiation.

How often are they necessary?

This depends upon the patient's individual health needs. If you are a new patient, the dentist may recommend X-Rays to determine the current status of your mouth and to check for hidden problems. The need for radiographs varies according to your age risk for disease, and your past dental history.

Children may need X-Rays more often than adults because their teeth and jaws are still developing and they are more prone to tooth decay. X-Rays help the dentist discover developmental problems as early as possible so preventive or treatment measures can be started.

Why are sealants necessary?

When teeth are developing, depressions and groves form in the chewing surfaces of the enamel. These features are called “pits and fissures”. They are impossible to keep clean, because the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach into them. Therefore, pits and fissures are ideal places for plaque and bits of food to become lodged. Placing a thin covering ( a sealant ) over the pits and fissures can reduce the risk of decay.

Fluoride

Even though your regular water supply may be fluoridated, it is still important to use ADA accepted fluoride products such as toothpaste, and in some cases, mouth rinses. You may want to discuss with your dentist any special fluoride needs your child may have. Fluoride toothpastes and over-the-counter fluoride mouth rinses that carry the ADA seal have proven safe and effective.

Your dentist may recommend various ways to get fluoride protection, including:

· Drinking fluoridated water at school.

· Taking prescribed fluoride tablets or drops

· Brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

· Using a fluoride mouth rinse for children over age six.

Tips for Parents

It's not difficult to help your child maintain a healthy smile. Here are a few tips for good oral health:

· Make sure your child gets the fluoride needed for decay-resistant teeth. Ask your dentist how this should be done.

· Brush and floss your child's teeth daily until the child can be taught to do this alone. Then encourage him or her to brush and floss.

· Take you child to see the dentist regularly, beginning at six months of age.

· Put only water in your child's naptime or bedtime bottle.

· Start cleaning your child's mouth daily.

· Start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts.

With your help, in combination with their own efforts and regular professional care, your daughters and sons can grow up cavity-free and keep their teeth all their lives.

Malocclusion

Malocclusion is a condition in which the teeth are crowded, crooked, and out of alignment with each other. Malocclusion can occur at any age, but they become particularly noticeable between the ages of 6 and 12, when the permanent teeth are coming in. In some cases, malocclusion is inherited – for example; the jaw may be too small for the teeth. Malocclusion may result from factors in the child's life, such as thumb sucking, dental injures, or the early loss of primary teeth.

Whatever the cause teeth that are crowded or out of position may be more difficult to clean. As a result, they are more likely to decay and the gums more likely to become inflamed. This can affect the child's appearance. General dentists and pediatric dentists try to prevent malocclusion. When necessary, they will refer your child to an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the treatment of such problems. Some preventive orthodontic treatments start as early as age 3 or 4.

Mouth protectors and Oral Injuries

Injuries to teeth occur easily, especially during childhood. But may injuries can be avoided by using mouth protectors. Mouth protectors guard against injuries to the entire mouth area, especially the teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. These resilient shields can also protect against other injuries by cushioning the blows that might otherwise cause concussions or lead to jaw fractures.

Have your child wear a mouth protector, especially if he or she is participating in any activity which may involve falls, head contact, tooth clenching or flying equipment – sports such as basketball, skateboarding, gymnastics & soccer!

Mouth Protectors

There are three types of mouth protectors: ready-made, mouth-formed and custom-made. Ask your dentist for advice on the selection and use of protectors. If, despite precautions, your child sustains a facial or jaw injury, see your dentist immediately. If your child's tooth is knocked out, rinse it in cool water. Do not scrub it! If possible, put the tooth back in its socket and hold it in place for five minutes. If this cannot be done, put the tooth in a cup of milk or water, or wrap it in a wet cloth. Take the child and the tooth to the dentist at once. Your dentist may be able to replant the tooth. In may cases, teeth that are replaced in the mouth within 20 minutes reattach themselves to the jaw and function normally.

Smokeless Tobacco

Smokeless tobacco is a dangerous addiction that more and more children are engaging in. The use of snuff and chewing tobacco carries multiple dangers, including greatly increased risk of oral cancer and heart disease. As little as three or four months of smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias . Abrasive and sugars in smokeless tobaccos also lead to greater tooth abrasion and decay.

Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your child's health and cause incurable damage Teach you child about the dangers of tobacco.

Don't let a dangerous habit start!!

You are here

Preventive

Clear Correct