Dr.Gina Sohn - Tufts Graduate
U.S.Dentist in Seoul / Licensed in MA, CT, NJ
http://www.drginasohn.com
Tel 02-553-7512 / Overseas 822-553-7512
Dental Care for Your Baby
1.When should my child first see a dentist?
"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child smile now and in the future.
2. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?
The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
3. How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?
At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.
4. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?
Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.
5. Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?
Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.
6. When should I start cleaning my baby teeth?
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a "smear" of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.
7. Any advice on teething?
From six months to age 3, your child may have tender gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby gums with a clean finger.
7 Ways to Protect your child's Oral Health
1.Start Oral Care Early
Your child should see a dentist by the time he's a year old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
2.Teach the Brush & Floss Habit
Tooth brushing is also crucial from the start. Even before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush the gums, using water on a soft baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth.Once there are additional teeth, parents have to buy infant toothbrushes that are very soft. Brushing should be done twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste.
Flossing should begin when two teeth touch each other. Parents have to clean the teeth until children are able to tie their shoes or write in cursive.
3.Avoid "Baby Bottle Decay"
For years, pediatricians and dentists have been cautioning parents not to put an infant or older child down for a nap with a bottle of juice, formula, or milk.The sugary liquids in the bottle cling to baby's teeth, providing food for bacteria that live in the mouth. The bacteria produce acids that can trigger tooth decay. Left unchecked, dental disease can adversely affect a child's growth and learning, and can even affect speech.
If you must give your child a bottle to take to bed, make sure it contains only water, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.
4.Control the Sippy Cup Habit
Bottles taken to bed aren't the only beverage problem. Juice given during the day as a substitute for water and milk is another. Often, that juice is in a sippy cup. It's meant as a transition cup when a child is being weaned from a bottle and learning to use a regular cup.
Parents mistakenly think juice is a healthy day-long choice for a beverage. But that's not the case. Prolonged use of a sippy cup can cause decay on the back of the front teeth, if the beverages are sugary. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to limit the intake of 100% fruit juice to no more than four ounces a day. Sugary drinks and foods should be limited to mealtimes.
5.Ditch the Binky by 2 or 3
Sucking too strongly on a pacifier, for instance, can affect how the top and bottom teeth line up (the "bite") or can affect the shape of the mouth. Pacifiers should be dropped by age 2.
6.Beware of Mouth-Unfriendly Medicines
Many medications that children take are flavored and sugary. If that sticks on the teeth, the risk for tooth decay goes up.
Children on medications for chronic conditions such as asthma and heart problems often have a higher decay rate.
Antibiotics and some asthma medications can cause an overgrowth of candida (yeast), which can lead to a fungal infection called oral thrush. Suspect thrush if you see creamy, curd-like patches on the tongue or inside the mouth.
7.Stand Firm on Oral Hygiene
• Plan to help your children longer than you may think necessary. "Children don't have the fine motor skills to brush their own teeth until about age 6," says Hayes. Flossing skills don't get good until later, probably age 10.
• Schedule the brushing and flossing and rinsing, if advised, at times when your child is not overly tired. You may get more cooperation from a child who isn't fatigued.
• Get your child involved in a way that's age-appropriate. For instance, you might let a child who is age 5 or older pick his own toothpaste at the store, from options you approve. You could buy two or three different kinds of toothpaste and let the child choose which one to use each time. You may offer him a choice of toothbrushes, including kid-friendly ones that are brightly colored or decorated.
• Figure out what motivates your child. A younger child may gladly brush for a sticker, for instance, or gold stars on a chart.
