Answers to parents' top questions and expert advice from dentists
NickJr.com asked dentists to answer some of the most common concerns parents have when it comes to caring for their preschoolers' teeth. Here's what they had to say.
Is it necessary to fill cavities in my 3-year-old's baby teeth?
Yes. As Dr. Steven Grossman, a pediatric dentist in New York City points out, "If it's a primary front tooth, your child will have that tooth for another three or four years. And a primary molar might remain for another six or seven years, so the decay should be taken care of before it gets worse."
If the decay is not stopped, it might necessitate removing the tooth prematurely. "And taking out a tooth can lead to spacing problems that will need to be monitored closely as the secondary teeth come in," says Dr. Grossman.
Pediatric dentist Michael J. Hanna, DMD, of Robinson Township, Pennsylvania, points to another good reason: "If left untreated, bacteria in one cavity can spread, seeding your child's mouth with bacteria that may infect permanent teeth as they erupt through the gums."
If you think your child might not be able to sit still long enough for the procedure, your dentist might suggest waiting until your child is a little older before filling the cavity.
Establish a regular tooth-care regimen very early--even before your child's first tooth!
Start wiping your baby's gums and erupting teeth with a wet cloth or gauze after meals.
Between 12 to 18 months, you can begin to brush your child's teeth with a soft brush and water.
After age 3, you can add a pea-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste to the brush. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle so the bristles contact both the tooth and the gum line and use short up-and-down strokes.
Ideally you want to spend about three minutes brushing, but dentists know that this is difficult with a small child. "When it comes to brushing your child's teeth," Dr. Grossman says, "Quality is more important than quantity. Just do the best brushing you can. The most important thing is getting to all the tooth surfaces, especially the back teeth."
Sometime after age 4, your child can begin brushing her own teeth with supervision.
Brushing three times a day is best, but your child should at least brush in the morning and at bedtime. Brushing right before bed is especially important because at night there is no saliva or jaw movements to help sweep away food particles.
Because brushing at night is so important, Dr. Grossman advises that parents inspect their children's teeth just before bed and help to brush if the child is not thorough enough.
Many dentists recommend that parents watch their children brush through about age 8.
When your child brushes, make sure that she uses the technique you taught her and that she spends at least three minutes brushing. (Dr. Grossman suggests using an egg timer.) To help make her a more thorough brusher, point out any spots you think she missed.
Flossing is an important part of your child's tooth-brushing routine, too. Dr. Hanna recommends flossing as soon as a child's first teeth touch each other--as early as age 1 or 2. By age 6 or 7, she can probably begin flossing on her own.
Don't let children drink juice or milk from a bottle or sippy cup continually throughout the day or while falling asleep at night. (This bathes the child's teeth in acidic liquid.)
Of course you'll want to watch out for sweets, too--but some sweets are better than others. "Actually, I'm a big advocate of plain chocolate as a special treat," says Dr. Hanna, "Saliva washes away much of the chocolate, so it's much less likely to cause decay than a cookie or a cracker that gets mashed into the teeth, where it can remain for a long time."
Ask your dentist about tooth sealants, a clear or shaded plastic that can be applied to your child's teeth. Sealants protect grooved and pitted surfaces of teeth--such as the chewing surfaces of molars, where most cavities in children are found. If your child's teeth have deep grooves (ask your dentist), sealants might be beneficial.
Dentists can seal teeth of kids as young as 2 1/2, but--as Dr. Grossman points out--having a cooperative patient is important because the child needs to sit still and keep her mouth open while the sealant material sets up. If your child is already having another dental procedure, your dentist might go ahead and apply sealants at the same time.
How can I make brushing more fun for my 5-year-old daughter?
"Let your daughter see how much you and your spouse enjoy brushing," says Dr. Hanna. You can even make a game of brushing your spouse's teeth then letting your child brush your teeth. "Sing, dance, and laugh while you're at it. You'll be amazed at how quickly she'll beg to brush her teeth along with you."
Dentists recommend choosing toothpaste and fluoride rinses in flavors designed just for kids, such as bubblegum.
Consider having a couple of different toothbrushes she can choose from each day.
Bring home an inexpensive electric children's toothbrush and one of the new animal-shaped floss holders.
Dr. Hanna suggests using stars or placing stickers on a reward chart. Pick out a calendar at the store with your child, print Blue's Tooth-Brushing Chart & Stickers, or help your child make her own chart.
We have fluoride in our water, so does my child need a fluoride rinse, too? What about fluoride drops and tablets?
Yes. The fluoride added to municipal water sources works internally (or systemically) to protect and strengthen developing teeth. Fluoride toothpastes and fluoride rinses work topically to help protect teeth that have already erupted.
According to pediatric dentist A. Jeffrey Wood, the chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, in San Francisco, both topical and systemic fluoride are essential to the health of your child's teeth.
Dr. Wood believes fluoride rinses are especially beneficial for children, particularly when used right before bedtime.
At around age 4, your child will probably be old enough to use a fluoride rinse, but watch to see how well she rinses and spits out water first. Swallowing the fluoride rinse can lead to spots on her permanent teeth.
If your water isn't fluoridated, or if your family drinks only well water, talk to your child's dentist about fluoride tablets, lozenges, or drops. Don't buy fluoride over the counter though, because fluoride needs to be tailored to each child's needs.
Ask your child's dentist to test the amount of fluoride in your water (even well water may have some fluoride) and prescribe an appropriate supplement.
Can I take my preschooler to my dentist, or do we need a dentist just for kids?
If you love your dentist, and he or she is good with children, this could be the right choice for your kids. But if you're unsure, it's worthwhile to consider a pediatric dentist.
Pediatric dentists have received two to three years of specialized training following dental school, and they treat only kids. Pediatric dentists may be an especially good choice for kids with emotional, mental, or physical problems, because they're trained to treat these children.
Visit a couple of dentists until you find one you feel comfortable with. And while you are there, look around the office: Are there kids' books and magazines, toys, and child-sized chairs? Are there other children in the waiting room?
Whomever you choose, remember that you're working in a partnership for your child's health. So don't be shy about asking your dentist how clean your child's teeth are and what you can do to help further protect them. "There's no magic age at which a parent becomes 'hands off' when it comes to their child's teeth," says Dr. Wood.
How can I make a trip to the dentist easier for my 3-year-old son?
Most dentists agree that it's important to talk to your child about going to the dentist in a positive and easy-going tone. But this does not mean you should tell your child, "It won't hurt." As Dr. Labate explains, there is no need to suggest an association between pain and going to the dentist. And unfortunately, sometimes dental care will hurt.
Dr. Carole Labate, DMD, of Reading, Pennsylvania, recommends bringing your child along on one of mom or dad's dental appointments first. "Let your child go for a ride in the dental chair and watch as dad gets his teeth 'counted' (examined) or mom gets her teeth 'tickled' (polished)." This will help take some of the fear out of going to the dentist, and your child will see exactly what will happen when it's her turn.
Some dentists recommend holding your child on your lap during the child's checkup. Explain that the dentist is just going to count her teeth and maybe clean and tickle them a little.
If your child is going to have her teeth polished, consider bringing along her toothpaste from home.
