Month: December 2015

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Caring for Baby Teeth

Ah, your child has reached another milestone. A new tooth. Now it’s time to focus MORE attention to good oral hygiene!

As your infant’s teeth start to appear, usually at six to eight months of age, it’s time to move from a washcloth to a baby toothbrush. By continuing to practice healthy habits, you can prevent or reduce tooth decay in infants and children.

It’s all about getting your baby used to teeth brushing as part of the daily routine.

Tips for brushing an infant’s teeth:

• Look for a small brush with a small head and large handle
• It’s best to use a non-fluoride toothpaste until your child can effectively spit out the excess, usually around age three
• Only a tiny smear of toothpaste is needed for babies and use a pea-sized amount for children
• The easiest way to brush a baby’s teeth is to have the child sitting on your lap with his or her head in the crook of your elbow
• Brush the teeth gently, with circles on the front and back surfaces
• Gently massage the gums

All children, even babies, should brush at least twice each day. You should brush for your child until about age four, but it is okay to give your child “a turn.” Children from four to eight year of age should be supervised when brushing and flossing, and should be helped at least once per day.

It’s important to know your child’s teeth and gums. Signs of baby tooth decay include pits or brown, black, or white spots on the teeth. Your child should be seen at Eggert Family Dentistry for a dental “well visit” by age one.

At first, teeth-brushing may be a struggle. Just try, try again. Make it fun by singing, counting, or telling a story – it shouldn’t be a battle. Again, it’s all about creating healthy oral habits that will last a lifetime.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Avoiding Tooth Decay

Did you know that tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease? In fact, dental issues result in the loss of 51 million school hours every year. Horrible, right?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is a very important reminder of how to take care of your baby’s teeth. Not only do those first teeth help your child to chew and talk, they are placeholders for permanent ones. If baby teeth are ignored, they can be lost to tooth decay. This can seriously affect the spacing of permanent teeth.

You already know about taking care of your infant’s gums and about brushing your baby’s first teeth, but there are other healthy habits that can help to prevent childhood tooth decay:

• Don’t ever put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or anything “sweetened.” These liquids feed bacteria in the mouth and can cause “baby bottle tooth decay.”
• Only fill your baby’s bottle with formula, breast milk, or water.
• Begin to wean your baby from the bottle as he or she begins to eat more solid food and can drink from a cup. Your baby should be finished with a bottle by age one.
• Follow meals with a drink of water to wash off the teeth.
• If your tap water isn’t fluoridated city water, ask your pediatrician about testing your well water for fluoride. It might be appropriate for your child to have fluoride supplements depending on the levels.
• Regularly check your child’s teeth for white, black, or brown spots.

And, of course, there’s sugar. Children who eat sweets every day have nearly twice as much decay as those who eat sugar less often. Check sugar levels in baby foods and dilute juice with water. Also, provide naturally grown food as much as possible. You’d be surprised how much sugar is found in processed and boxed food items.

Healthy habits, along with a trip to Eggert Family Dentistry, will prevent cavities. Bring your baby to see us by the age of one. It is always best for us to develop a relationship BEFORE there is a problem!

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Caring for Gums

Did you know that children are also at risk of developing gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums?

If you’re caring for an infant, with or without teeth, it may seem like you can wait on oral care. But that’s not so! It’s equally important to start taking charge of your child’s oral health before teeth appear.

A toothbrush isn’t required, just a washcloth and some tender loving care.

• Use a soft, moistened washcloth or a piece of gauze
• Cradle your baby with one arm
• With your index finger around the washcloth, gently wipe your baby’s gums

Wiping the gums will remove bacteria, food debris, and sometimes yeast. It is a good habit to practice doing this at least twice per day.

Teething

Your baby’s teeth will generally begin to appear between four and seven months during a process called teething. Teething can make babies feel uncomfortable and fussy. Teething is usually completed before your child’s third birthday, but in the meantime, this period can be difficult on both you and your baby!

Teething symptoms include:

• Red and swollen gums
• Increased drooling
• The desire to chew on things

To help relieve discomfort, you can try these methods:

• Gum rubbing – use a clean finger to rub the infant’s gums
• Chilled teething rings or a cold washcloth to chew or suck on
• Use of a pain reliever – such as infant acetaminophen. Always talk to your pediatrician about the use of pain relievers and teething gels. Do not give your infant baby aspirin, as aspirin can cause Reye’s syndrome.

If your baby has a fever, or is unusually irritable or inconsolable, call your pediatrician.

We all want what’s best for our children. By following these simple steps, you can transition easier from gums to teeth.

By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert

Parents often ask us when a child should first be seen by a dentist. The answer to this question surprises them.

In order to prevent dental problems, plan on scheduling your child’s first trip to see us before his/her first birthday. A guideline that we typically use is about six months after eruption of the first tooth. Don’t forget, decay can occur as soon as a tooth appears.

Studies show that many children are now getting cavities as early as age two. Sadly, we are seeing this. Taking your child to see us, at a very young age, is the best way to prevent these childhood cavities. It also helps acclimate your child to the dental office and paves the way for stress-free visits in the future.

Before bringing your child in, make sure to ask us what the child can expect at the first visit. This way, there won’t be any surprises for you, or your child. Bring a list of questions – we love talking about oral health!

At your child’s first dental visit, plan on discussing:

• how to clean an infant’s or toddler’s teeth,
• fluoride needs,
• finger and thumb sucking,
• dental milestones in a child’s early years, and
• how a child’s diet affects his/her oral health.

Before leaving our office, you’ll have a clear idea about:

• your child’s development,
• what you can do to promote good oral health,
• any foreseen problems, and
• follow-up actions.

Bringing your child to the dentist early, and regularly, leads to a lifetime of good oral habits. After the age of two, plan on bringing your child in for a check-up every six months. Starting as early as age three, we attempt to take x-rays to check for decay between the teeth. Sealants are placed to prevent decay as soon as the permanent molars erupt, usually about age six.

With a little preparation, going to the dentist with your child can be stress free. The team at Eggert Family Dentistry works hard to provide a relaxed, non-threatening environment for you and your child. Put your child on the path to excellent oral health and call us today at 651-482-8412.