Frequently Asked Questions for the Pediatric Dentist

Written by: Dr. Grace Yum

First things first, let’s tackle the challenges in getting young children to brush their teeth.  Young children often don’t want their parents/caregivers to brush because they want to do it themselves. This is challenging because toddlers are often still developing their fine motor skills and not great with manual dexterity.

Many toddlers just chew on the toothbrush or try to eat the toothpaste instead of brushing their teeth. Young children may have sensitivities to the toothpaste flavor or a gag reflex when trying to brush their teeth, so being aware of those little discomforts might make a difference in their brushing routine.

We know it’s a challenge, but just how early should parents institute teeth brushing with their kids? 
Parents should start by cleaning gums and teeth as soon as the first tooth starts to come in.  And even before brushing, parents should use HYPERLINK "http://www.dryums.com/dp/B00G5TT66O"xylitol-based swabs to clean the gums and new teeth to prevent future cavities.

It’s very important to remove bacteria and sugar off teeth and gums, starting in infancy. Many people don’t realize that there is sugar in both mother’s milk and formula that can cause early tooth decay called ‘nursing decay’ or ‘bottle decay’.

What’s the best method for teaching a young child to brush his or her teeth? 
Like most things in parenting, children will learn better from example.

I find that children very often like to model the behavior of their parents or caregivers. I know that’s true with Zoe, my two-year old!

I recommend showing your kids how you brush your own teeth, watching short clips on oral hygiene together or reading a book about teeth brushing together.

What are the must-haves for starting out teeth brushing for kids?  
A soft bristled toothbrush is always recommended at any age. I definitely believe in electric or battery operated toothbrushes starting at age two. It takes the guessing out of how aggressively to brush. Toothbrushes that light up or play music encourage older kids to brush for the recommended two minutes.

As for toothpaste, The Academy of Pediatrics changed the fluoride guideline recently and now recommends fluoride toothpaste at any age, even under age two.

Natural toothpastes, such as Tom’s for Kids, are great for kids with many allergies or sensitivities. Mouthwash is a no-no until after age six.

What about flossing?  
I advise parents in my practice that it is never too early to floss, especially when the child has tight contacts, meaning the teeth are all touching together. I highly recommend a flossing stick to make the process a little easier.  That is what I use at home with my 2 year old.

When is it safe to let kids brush their teeth unsupervised? 
I recommend allowing kids to brush without supervision at age 7 if they seem ready. That is an age where their manual dexterity is typically improved to the point where most kids can effectively brush.

When should professional cleanings start for kids?  
Professional dental visits to a certified pediatric dentist are recommended by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry by age one or whenever the first tooth comes in, whichever is sooner. Those first visits are mostly to explain proper home treatment to parents and to conduct exams and screenings to detect abnormalities in the mouth that may need to be addressed, while cleanings will usually begin around 15 months.

If you have an anxious little one, I recommend having an upbeat, positive discussion about the visit.  Or even take them to your dental visit to watch.

As always, children learn through you, so modeling that good dental behavior for your little ones is a good first step.

         

7 Reasons why your Child should be seeing a Certified Pediatric Dentist

Written by: Dr. Grace Yum


Many well-intentioned moms and dads start out by taking their children to their own dentist who sees adults and children.  Some do it for convenience, others for cost; others trust their own dentist more than other dentists.

However, here are seven important reasons why it is critical to take your child to a certified pediatric dentist at the earlier of 12 months old or when the child’s first tooth comes in.

1.       Many people don’t realize that pediatric dentists are doctors that have years of extra highly specialized training in the growth and development of children.  They study how to spot and treat abnormalities in children’s mouths.  They have special training in everything from treating pediatric cavities to screening children for oral cancers and other abnormalities.  Less than 5% of all dentists are certified pediatric dentists, which can make it hard to find them.
2.       Very serious irregularities can develop at 12 months of age or sooner – experts agree that it is in every child’s best interest to receive proper dental screenings and care from a pediatric dentist at the earlier of 12 months or when their first tooth comes in.
3.       A common misperception that many parents have is that baby teeth will just fall out, so that it is not critically important to prevent cavities in them.  That couldn’t be further from the truth. Cavities in baby teeth can cause damage to future adult teeth.  In other words, there can be a chain reaction that will impact the child later in life.
4.       Some adult dentists who treat children similar to how they treat adults tend to extract baby teeth too early, without a full understanding that doing so can cause the other surrounding incoming teeth to shift, which in turn can cause adult teeth not to develop correctly or to get crowded as they come in.
5.       General adult dentists who do not receive specialized training in pediatrics also sometimes miss cavities in baby teeth or miss abnormal patterns in how teeth erupt and initially develop.  They sometimes lack the training to know what to look for in baby teeth.  Baby teeth are different from adult teeth.
6.       Most adult dentists also don't feel particularly comfortable treating children until age 3 or 4 because their behavior in the dental chair can be hard to control without enough experience in treating children.
7.       Your pediatric dentist can do more than just treat your children – they also can properly educate you, as a parent, on how to properly take care of your babies' teeth.  They can explain what kind of toothpaste and toothbrushes to use, how to brush and floss, when to start, what foods are good and bad for oral health, and how to deal with trauma in case of a fall or other accident.

One of the best gifts you can give your child is to get the proper treatment for his or her teeth and mouth.  If you haven’t already, and your child has her first tooth or is 12 months or older, don’t wait any longer to make an appointment for your child with a certified pediatric dentist.

 www.yummydental.com