Look at any baby boomer’s smile and you’re likely to see a mouthful of metal fillings! Before the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste and other preventive tools became commonplace, children’s teeth were much more vulnerable to decay; in fact, filling cavities was a routine part of semi-annual checkups. Today’s parents have a lot more options (not to mention knowledge) on how to keep their kids’ smiles cavity-free. Here are some tips.

Tip #1: Start Prevention Early

Even as late as 20 years ago, it was not unusual for parents to give bottles of apple juice to their babies for pacification purposes. Today we know that constant saturation of teeth in sugars of any kind (even so-called “healthy” types contained in fruit juices and formulas) turns a baby’s teeth into prime targets for early decay. Does it really matter, since they’re just going to lose those teeth anyway? Yes! Kids need healthy and strong primary teeth for many years till the adult ones are ready to grow in, and since these little teeth act as “place holders,” they are extremely important.

Tip #2: Get Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride toothpaste and a fluoridated municipal water supply are certainly helpful, but they are not usually enough for total protection. In addition to eating healthy foods, cutting down on sweets consumption, and twice-daily brushing and flossing, children benefit from receiving fluoride treatments every single time they visit their pediatric dentist. These treatments contain much higher concentrations of the mineral and will help teeth to be stronger and more decay-resistant for a lifetime.

Tip #3: Don’t Forget Sealants

Sealants are applied to children’s molars as soon as their permanent ones start coming in: usually around age 6, and again when the second set erupts at around age 12. These thin plastic coatings help protect the enamel surfaces that are most vulnerable to decay: the grinding ones. Sealants effectively keep germs and food particles out of all the little crevices where contaminants otherwise might cause decay. This is an option that simply was not available to kids back in “the day,” and is one of the single most beneficial weapons available to modern dentistry in the battle against tooth decay.

Establishing good habits early, the use of fluoride and application of sealants do not guarantee total freedom from cavities, but they will certainly make a huge difference. Be sure to talk to your Utah pediatric dentist or a dentist in your area about other ways to help prevent childhood cavities.

Losing the first tooth is a milestone for any child: it’s a sure-fire way to tell that he or she is “growing up” and starting to leave the trappings of babyhood behind. Tooth Fairies across America had better start breaking out the quarters, because we’re going to be talking about child tooth loss this month: what’s “normal” and what’s not.

What’s “Normal”

Most children begin losing their baby teeth (also called primary teeth) around the age of 6 or 7. But don’t fret too much if your individual child loses one at age 4 or doesn’t start till age 8 or 9; losing the first tooth anywhere between age 4 and 9 is considered within the “normal” range. But of course, if you have concerns about your child’s tooth losing schedule, be sure to contact a good Utah pediatric dentist like Burg Pediatric.

Some kids are totally excited about losing teeth while other children get very anxious. Some kids may worry that it will hurt or they can’t reconcile with the idea that they are “losing” a part of their body. Either reaction is normal! There are lots of children’s picture books out there on this subject; so reading about it with your child coupled with frank discussion will help to dispel myths and give them the truth about tooth loss.

Remember, losing baby teeth is a process that makes room for the eruption of adult teeth. For some kids, permanent teeth erupt before the primary ones fall out. This is popularly called “shark’s teeth.” Reassure your child that this phenomenon is “normal” for them and that those big teeth will naturally push the baby ones out in just a matter of weeks.

It is normal for brand new permanent teeth to have ridges along the top, since they haven’t had a chance to get worn down yet through chewing. Permanent teeth are usually not as brilliant white in color as primary ones: and this is normal too. Finally, most permanent teeth appear awkward at first because their size is out of proportion to little mouths. Don’t worry: your child will grow into them!

What’s Not

Baby teeth act as place markers for permanent teeth, so if they start falling out too early or one gets knocked out prematurely it may cause a few problems down the road. Be sure to consult with your Utah pediatric dentist at once! If your child loses a permanent tooth, it’s important to act quickly. Attend to your child’s immediate needs and then, if possible, retrieve the tooth (be sure to grasp it by the crown and not by the roots). After rinsing the tooth in water, take it and your child to the dentist ASAP: there’s a good chance it can be replaced.

If you have a preschooler, it won’t be long before the Tooth Fairy comes to call! Be prepared by educating yourself on the subject and then you can help your child be ready too.

When it’s time for your child to brush her teeth, do you get hit with: “But I don’t wanna!” Relax- you’re definitely not alone. Helping a child learn to brush and floss properly as well as care about her oral hygiene is a challenge for the best of parents: but it’s a skill that will serve her well for a lifetime. Here are just a few tips that will make brushing and flossing time a positive experience for all.

–Having anyone do things in her mouth can be disconcerting to a little one: with a younger child, ease her anxiety by playing her favorite music or singing her a silly song while you take care of her teeth. End the routine with a high five and a hug.

–Recognize that brushing and flossing is physically difficult for kids until they reach a certain age: As a parent, do not expect your child to be an oral hygiene wiz too early; it may turn her off completely and make this daily routine a negative one right from the start. The manual dexterity required for “doing it right” doesn’t come till about age six. So until then, plan on brushing and flossing her teeth yourself.

–Make it a happy time: Help her to see that this twice-daily routine is a positive one. If she is old enough to brush and floss on her own, avoid harsh criticism of her technique and gently guide her in the right direction.

–Let her be in control as much as possible: Children love to feel as if they are in charge whenever they can. Take her to the store and let her pick out her own soft-bristled toothbrush. Let her experiment with different types and flavors of floss until she finds one she really likes; and if she is dying for that pink bubble gum toothpaste instead of a minty one: why not?

–Teach her how to do it right then let her “show you” how to brush and floss your own teeth: Kids love to show off what they’ve learned. Once she’s got her routine down pat, let her “play dentist” and “teach” you how to take care of your own teeth.

–Take her to a fun, child-centered Utah pediatric dentist office like Burg Pediatric where she can learn the importance of dental care in a positive environment.

The more positive you can make her brushing and flossing routine from day one, the more likely she is to practice good oral hygiene habits for the rest of her life.

There has been a lot in the news lately about childhood obesity, and with good reason! Children are simply not getting enough exercise nor are they eating healthy enough on a daily basis. But what about kids’ dental health? Maintaining high standards for good oral hygiene is just as important as keeping the rest of the body healthy, and parents helping their children establish good routines as early as possible is one of the keys to a bright smile that will last a lifetime. Here are 5 sure-fire ways to help keep your young kids’ teeth healthy.

1. Start when that very first tooth erupts! Sometimes parents think that baby teeth don’t really “matter” because they’re just going to fall out anyway. Nothing could be further from the truth! Kids need healthy baby teeth to set a proper foundation for their permanent ones, and besides: they will do a whole lot of chewing before that first tooth falls out.

2. Don’t let babies and toddlers “bathe” their teeth in sugars. All dentists agree that putting a baby down for a nap with a bottle of juice or formula is a bad idea and can easily lead to childhood tooth decay.

3. Establish healthy eating habits early: Even if your child will burn off all those calories, consuming too much sugary, sticky foods and sucrose-laden soft drinks may result in rotten teeth. Limit sweets in general, and give your kids crunchy healthy snacks such as carrot sticks and apples that will actually strengthen teeth.

4. Supervise children as they brush and floss: Kids will be kids, and if left to their own devices they will probably cut corners. Up until age 12, make it a habit to watch over your kids’ oral health routines: set a timer for how long they need to brush, and make sure they know how to floss properly and do it every day.

5. Make sure they visit a good pediatric dentist every year, twice a year. Excellent dentists such as Utah pediatric dentist Jeff Burg, DDS and his team of pediatric specialists are essential partners with you in helping maintaining your children’s oral health. Regular checkups, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and other preventive measures will make all the difference.