|
|
Newsletter from Dr. Ewers
|
August 2005
|
|
|
Parents face a daily barrage of information on how
best to care for their children. With new research,
changing governmental guidelines, and a wide range
of experts' opinions, finding and using the correct
information can be time consuming and confusing.
Below, we are offering you the most current
information when it comes to your child's oral health.
From infancy to adolescence, your child's smile will
be the best when you partner with your dentist to
encourage the best oral health habits.
Dr. Mike
|
|
Infancy
When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?
And how?
Actually, you should start cleaning your baby's mouth
as soon as he or she is born. Before your baby's
teeth begin to emerge, clean his or her gums by
laying your infant in your lap and gently, but firmly,
rubbing a small piece of gauze or clean, damp
washcloth along the baby's upper and lower gums.
When your child's primary teeth begin to peek
through, use a toothbrush specially designed for a
baby's mouth. Toothpaste really isn't necessary at
this time.
What are the best ways to deal with teething?
Teething can be as stressful for parents as it is
for children. It may make him or her irritable or
fussy, or cause restlessness, drooling, or loss of
appetite. You can ease your child's teething
discomfort by offering a cold teething ring to chew
on, rubbing the gums with a clean finger, or using
over-the-counter pain medicine.
Can pacifiers or thumb sucking harm my child's
mouth? Sucking is a natural reflex and
something he or she did while still in the womb. For
many infants, sucking is soothing and gives them a
sense of security, and nothing calms a fussy baby
faster than a bottle, pacifier, or thumb. Children
often give up sucking habits by the age of four or
five. Children who are still sucking a pacifier, finger,
or thumb when their permanent, or adult, teeth begin
to come in are more likely to have dental problems.
The amount of damage that is done is determined by
the intensity, frequency, and duration of the child's
sucking. It is easier to get a child to stop sucking a
pacifier than a finger, since you can simply get rid of
the pacifier. To help your child to quit sucking a
thumb or finger, try using positive reinforcement.
Is putting my baby to sleep with a bottle
harmful? Absolutely. While parents are aware
of the effects of candy, sodas, and other sugary
sweets, many do not realize that any food containing
carbohydrates is broken down into sugars and can
cause decay. Putting your baby to bed with a bottle
of milk or juice ensures that these sugars stay in the
mouth, providing "food" for the bacteria that cause
decay. Baby-bottle decay, or "early childhood
caries" affects about 4 to 5 per cent of infants in the
United States and other Western countries. In
disadvantaged areas, this number may reach 25 per
cent or more. Even though baby teeth are soon
replaced with adult teeth, decay of those first teeth
can have serious consequences, since they hold a
space for permanent teeth and their decay can
cause pain when chewing or eating, or an abscess or
infection. If your infant insists on using a bottle to
calm down between meals or at bedtime, fill it with
water instead of juice.
Is breast-feeding better than bottle-feeding in
preventing early childhood cavities? Many experts
recommend breast-feeding over bottle-feeding for
the overall health of your child. However, breast-
feeding can lead to early childhood cavities in the
same way that bottle-feeding can. Avoid overnight
feeding, such as bringing your baby to bed with you
and allowing him or her to nurse extensively. Milk
can "pool" in your baby's mouth at night, leading to
acid and decay. The American Dental Association
recommends that with either breast-feeding or bottle-
feeding, you should encourage your child to begin
drinking from a cup by the first birthday.
|
|
Toddlers/Children
When should I start using fluoride toothpaste for
my child? When your child is able to spit out
the extra paste. Fluoride is safe and necessary for
keeping teeth strong, but only at appropriate levels.
Younger children may accidentally swallow
toothpaste in excessive amounts, which can actually
discolor their permanent teeth. Remember, too, that
even if
your water is fluoridated, you still should use a
fluoride toothpaste. If your water isn't fluoridated,
be sure to tell your dentist so that he or she can
prescribe a fluoride supplement.
How can I help my children care for their teeth?
There are several things you can do to preserve
your child's white, bright smile. The first thing you
can do is to set a good example - taking care of your
own teeth shows that oral health is important. Make
taking care of teeth fun by letting your child pick out
his or her own toothbrush or toothpaste. Make sure
that your child brushes twice a day with an ADA-
accepted fluoride toothpaste once they are able to
spit out the excess paste. Introduce floss at an
early age. Children are prone to cavities between
the teeth once the teeth contact one another. We
ask parents to help with brushing and flossing nightly
until their child’s fine motor skills are better
developed; this usually occurs about 10 years of
age. Encourage a well-balanced diet that limits
starchy or
sugary foods. When your child does have a sweet
treat, try to eat it with a meal rather than as a
snack so that the extra saliva produced during the
meal can help to rinse out the mouth.
What are dental sealants? How do I know if my
child needs them? Sealants are thin plastic
coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of a child's
permanent back teeth, where most cavities form.
Applying a sealant is not painful and can be
performed in one dental visit. Your dentist will tell
you if your child can benefit from sealants.
What should I do if my child chips, breaks, or
knocks out a tooth? The first thing you should
do is to contact your dentist immediately. If your
child is in pain, visit the dentist as soon as possible.
If the tooth is a permanent one, keep any part of the
tooth that has broken off, and take this with you to
the dentist. If a permanent tooth is completely
knocked out of the mouth, gently rinse the tooth
with water and put it back into the socket. If this
isn’t possible, put the tooth in milk and see a dentist
as soon as possible to have the tooth reimplanted.
The less time that the tooth is out of the mouth, the
better. Primary teeth, on the other
hand, are not reimplanted because of potential
damage to the developing permanent teeth.
|
|
Adolescence/Teenagers
How do I know if my child needs orthodontic care
(braces)? If your child's teeth are crooked or
crowded, or if the jaws are poorly aligned, he or she
may be a candidate for orthodontics. You should
expect a full evaluation of your child's dental history
and a complete examination to determine the best
treatment for your child.
My child plays sports. Does he need a mouth
guard? Yes! Mouth guards are absolutely
necessary when playing sports. The appliance
usually covers the upper teeth and helps protect
your child from broken teeth, cut lips, and other oral
damage. If your child wears braces or other fixed
appliances, like a bridge, your dentist may
recommend a guard for the lower teeth as well.
What can I do if my teenager smokes?
Smoking can cause tooth discoloration, bad
breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. One of the
best measures you can take to prevent teenage
smoking is not to smoke yourself. If you already
smoke, talk to your dentist about ways to kick the
habit. Talk to your children early and often about
the hazards of tobacco use and how to deal with
friends who pressure them to smoke. If you suspect
that your child is currently smoking, talk to your
dentist or doctor about how to help him or her stop.
The sooner tobacco use is stopped, the better, for
your child's oral and overall health.
Are oral piercings dangerous? Yes, oral
piercings can cause infection, uncontrollable
bleeding, and nerve damage. Your teenager can
choke on studs or hoops that come loose, and metal
jewelry can crack or break his or her teeth. If your
child is considering an oral piercing, talk with your
dentist about the hazards associated with piercings
in order to make the best choice.
If my teenage daughter has an eating disorder,
can it affect her teeth? Bulimia (binge eating
and then vomiting) and anorexia (a severely limited
intake of food, sometimes with vomiting) are life-
threatening illnesses that can cause serious oral
health issues. Both disorders can lead to erosion of
the tooth enamel when teeth are repeatedly exposed
to acids from the stomach. While your dentist can
correct the deteriorated enamel, he or she cannot
treat the eating disorder itself. If you suspect that
your child has an eating disorder, consult with your
child's physician immediately.
|
|
|
By far the most important action you can take to
preserve your child's teeth and promote good oral
health is to create a partnership with your dentist.
Make sure that the whole family visits the dentist
twice a year to maintain good oral health and to
detect and treat problems. You and your dentist can
help your child enjoy a lifetime of bright, sparkling
smiles.
|
|
