February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and it’s a nice opportunity to think more carefully about your child’s dental needs. As a general dentist who treats the entire family, every day I help parents with best practices for their children’s teeth. Beyond the obvious—brush twice a day—there are other ways to prevent cavities and promote dental health. Thank you Macaroni Kid Medina for inviting me to share some of the more frequent conversations we have with parents in our family practice.
Do I use fluoride toothpaste and how much?
This is the number one question asked by parents. Yes to fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts, as recommended by the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Fluoride is known as nature’s cavity fighter because it makes the teeth more resistant to tooth decay. In Medina County many of you have well water, which is not optimally fluoridated. This means topical fluoride (like that in toothpaste) is extra important for the health of your child's teeth. The photos below describe how much fluoride toothpaste to use. Children under 3 should be using an amount less than a grain of rice—even if they cannot yet grasp the idea of spitting it out. Those 3 and older can use a pea-sized amount.
Ready to brush solo?
Who brushes your child's teeth? Too often parents tell me, “Well I try to get in there, but it’s always a fight.” I understand your struggle, but this is so crucially important! Young children are not thorough enough to adequately clean their teeth, especially the back ones. I ask parents to follow this rule: Does your child cut up his or her own food? If not, you should still be the one brushing. The child can help, but you must be the primary.
Floss the teeth that touch
The number one thing I like to see in young patients is wide open spaces between the teeth. This means that the in-between sides, or “interproximal areas,” of these teeth are easily cleansed with a tooth brush. Older children, or those with small mouths, lose this advantage when they have baby teeth that are close enough to touch. The bristles of a toothbrush can no longer reach in between the teeth and flossing becomes important. I strongly recommend that children (or parents) floss all teeth that touch every day, before bedtime. Kids may be convinced to use floss when there is some kind of toy involved. Have your child pick out some colorful floss picks, or give this crazy Gum Chucks product a try.
Snacks that Attack
Disguised as wholesome or natural, beware of packaged kid foods with “Fruit” in the name. For teeth, fruit roll ups and fruit snacks are some of most destructive snacks out there. Sticky and sugary, these snacks adhere to teeth, prolonging sugar exposure. I wish I could tell you that all-natural snacks like raisins and dried fruit were better, but these too have the sugar and the stickiness that makes them hard on teeth. So while they may look healthy, to the teeth, fruit snacks and dried fruit are essentially candy. What to do? Fresh is best. Fresh fruit provides sweetness along with a fibrous texture that does not stick to teeth. Crunchy apples, for example, actually push plaque off the teeth.
Have Dessert
It is unreasonable to ask parents to never let their children enjoy treats. After all, they are kids. So when you want to reward your child with something sweet, let them have dessert. The best time to eat sugary foods is at mealtimes. Your body produces a lot of saliva for the meal, and there is plenty there to help wash away a sugary treat. Another fundamental fact about tooth decay and sugar: it is better to consume your sugar all in one sitting than to have little frequent bites throughout the day. With frequent sugar exposure, your teeth never have a chance to recover.
Dr. Kate Cartwright is a general dentist at South Court Dental Medicine, located one mile south of the historic Medina square on South Court Street. Welcoming new patients of all ages, you can find out more at www.southcourtdental.com or call the office at 330-725-0581.
