Hello! Welcome to the New Year! I've been thinking for quite some time that I wanted to find an additional way to educate my patients about their children's oral health and other topics that would benefit the family. While I do try my best to talk to each patient (or parent) about their personal health on each visit, there doesn't seem to be the time to tell each person about something new I've discovered, or something that might make a difference in their health. So, welcome to our very first edition. Each month, we'll send along a page full of great information that you can read at your leisure. Feel free to pass it along to a friend.

I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge "Thanks!" for choosing our office to provide pediatric treatment for your family! I appreciate your confidence in me and my team, and hope you enjoy these articles.

What parent wouldn't love to raise cavity-free children? We all would! In an age where fast food and sugary snacks are the norm, we are too often treating cavities in children as young as 12 months of age. So what's a parent to do? Read on to find out how you can help partner with your dentist to ensure your child receives the very best oral health care.

Your child's baby teeth are important for many reasons. They are responsible for proper chewing and eating, proper speech development, and development of jaw muscles and bones. Those first teeth also hold the space for the later permanent teeth and guide them into place, and early loss of baby teeth can mean major orthodontic issues later. Besides, no baby's smile would be complete without those very first pearly whites poking through!

Loss of a child's first teeth is a major milestone, but just because your child is going to lose those first teeth doesn't mean that they can be neglected. The primary incisors (front four teeth, top and bottom) are lost between ages 5 and 9. The primary molars are not replaced until age 10 to 14, and 12 years is average. Your child is going to have those first teeth for quite a few years, so early oral health care is crucial.

The teething process can be a challenge for both your baby and you. Those primary teeth start to form at 6 weeks in utero, and the permanent teeth start to form around the time of birth. The average 18 month old has 6 teeth on top and bottom, and all 20 teeth by age 3. Telltale signs of teething include excessive drooling, irritability, loss of appetite, chewing on fingers or objects, and even running a low-grade fever. To help relieve the discomfort for your child, you can administer Tylenol or Motrin-like products as directed by your pediatrician. Cold teething rings, stored in the refrigerator, are also helpful.

Putting your baby to sleep by allowing them to nurse from a bottle, or the breast, can be tempting when she is screaming at 2 a.m., but it's also harmful to her teeth. Saliva flow and the frequency of swallowing slows down a great deal during sleep, and the sugar in the milk or juice can pool around the teeth. The bacteria then forms acids which destroy the enamel of the teeth. Resist the urge to use the bottle or sippy cup as a pacifier. If a bottle is used at nap or bedtime, make sure it only contains plain water. Also watch out for medications - children with chronic illnesses requiring sugary medicines are at risk for tooth decay, so make sure to clean their teeth after giving them medicine.

Many babies are comforted with pacifiers or sucking their thumb or fingers. Use of either can lead to incorrect swallowing issues, requiring possible referral to an orofacial myologist around age 6 to 8. So, try to limit pacifier usage to nap or bedtime only, and wean them from it by the time they are 4 years old. Breaking the thumb or finger sucking habit can be more challenging because it's always available. However, setting limits and sticking to them now will preserve your child's precious smile later.

Good oral health care habits begin early in a child's life. Before the first teeth even pop through, you can wipe the gums with a gauze or washcloth, and continue to do so until they've got several teeth. Switch to a small, soft toothbrush and clean plain water until around 18 months. After that, toothpaste can be used, but only use a pea-sized amount until they are able to spit out the excess. Start flossing when all the molars are in, even if your child has spaces. Establish good snacking habits early by making sure children aren't allowed to graze throughout the day and monitoring the consumption of soda and sports drinks. Talk to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist about supplemental fluoride, particularly if your family is drinking well water or bottled water. Celebrate your child's first birthday by scheduling a trip to your pediatric dentist, and be prepared to discuss medical history, pregnancy history, family dental history, bottle/breast feeding, formula type, water type, and your family snacking habits.

Good habits, taught now, can help ensure a lifetime of great oral health for your child.