Infant and Toddler Program

The Infant and Toddler Program is designed to start your child visiting the dentist early. By beginning early, first and foremost your child will grow in a non- threatening dental environment. By beginning early, your child will have little or virtually no dental anxiety as they grow. In addition, this program allows us to educate you as a parent as to what to expect from a dental standpoint as your child grows. Early dental care helps protect young children from future dental problems. Let us give you the tools and information you need for good oral health and preventative care for your child. Dental caries is the number one disease of children in our country. Preventative care early on can help prevent cavities and painful procedures for the child in the future. There are a number of tips parents can follow to help keep their child’s teeth and gums healthy and cavity free.

Visit a Dentist Early

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be taken to see a pediatric dentist at least six months after they get their first tooth. It may seem strange to think about taking a child who is under one into a dentist’s office’ but doing so will help make sure his/her teeth stay healthy and get him/her used to visits that will become a regular part of his life. During the appointment, a dental exam will be performed. What is the dentist looking for? Not only do the dentists check for any signs of tooth decay, but they’ll also check your child’s bite, gums and other parts of the mouth to make sure everything is in tip-top shape. The dentist or dental hygienist may perform a dental cleaning or fluoride treatment to fight the “bad guys”– you may know them as cavities. The first dental visit is also a great time to ask questions and make sure you’re on the right path with your child’s oral hygiene routine. Before you know it, the appointment will be over, and your child will leave the office with a super smile!

Sweet Drink

Some toddlers enjoy sipping from their sippy cup for lengthy periods of time. If their cups are filled with sweet fruit juices, they are bathing their teeth in the fruit sugars for large amounts of time and this can lead to tooth decay. Parents should limit their child’s juice intake to mealtimes, and give their infants or toddlers water in between.

Parents should also not let their baby go to bed with a bottle or sippy cup, as the liquid can pool in the mouth once the baby goes to sleep and cause dental problems.

Bottle

Temporary doesn't mean unimportant. In fact, your baby's pearly whites help your child chew food easily and pronounce words properly. They also save space for permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. There may not be enough room left when it's time for the permanent teeth to come in. The result is crowded or crooked teeth.

If you're like most parents, you might be worried that if your child doesn't have any baby teeth by nine months or a year, it means something is wrong. But when it comes to getting the first set of teeth, there is a wide normal range of variability. Although the average appearance of the first tooth is around six months of age, it could be much sooner or much later.

The general pattern of eruption is that the two middle upper and lower teeth (central incisors) come in first. They are followed by the teeth next to them, the lateral incisors. The cuspids (or canines) follow, then the first and second molars. By the time your child is 3 years old, he or she will have a full set of 20 primary teeth. Here are the approximate ages when primary teeth make their appearance:

Pattern

Pattern 1

Happy Teeth!

Effective toothbrushing disrupts the colonization of bacteria on the tooth. Toothbrushing, fluoride, and proper diet—all contribute to healthy teeth.

Pattern 2

White Spot Lesions

This enamel has begun to demineralize or dissolve. With proper tooth cleaning and fluoride applications, this process can be reversed. Application of fluoride varnish will aid in the remineralization (reversal) of this enamel lesion.

Pattern 3

Early Cavities

dental visit is needed.

Pattern 4

Severe Cavities

If you see this, the child needs a dental visit as soon as possible. Monitor the "gums" for evidence of a swelling (infection).

Many parents do not realize that they need to begin cleaning their child's teeth the moment a first tooth erupts. Some babies can begin to get teeth as early a four months of age and from that point on brushing or swabbing of the teeth and gums needs to be done on a regular basis, even if the child is only receiving breast milk or formula.

First tooth to 6 years of age

Brush with lentil-sized amount or a "smear" of fluoridated toothpaste 2 x a day and introduce flossing 1 x a day

Caregiver performs

Over 6 years of age

Brush with fluoridated toothpaste 2x a day and floss 1 x a day

Caregiver supervises

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Q. Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child’s diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

Q. How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or using a bottle?

At-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. Fruit juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.

Q. When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Q. Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; many stop by age 2. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crooked teeth or bite problems. If the habit continues beyond age 3, a professional evaluation is recommended. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

Q. When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a “smear” of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.

Q. Any advice on teething?

Dental Care

From six months to age 3, your child may have tender gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.

Winning the toothbrushing wars: It’s not uncommon for toddlers to engage in power struggles. After all, they’re testing their boundaries and trying to figure out life’s rules. So why should things be any different when it comes to brushing teeth? That said, it’s important for parents to remember that brushing teeth is not an optional activity, even for little ones. Brushing prevents tooth decay, the most common childhood disease, which can begin as soon as your little one’s first baby teeth emerge!

Nearly every parent will be faced with tooth brushing resistance at some point during their child’s early years, complete with whining, crying, maybe even tantrums. Before you completely give up and resort to either skipping out on brushing or finding a way to forcibly brush your child’s teeth, try some of these ideas to help you win the tooth brushing battle for good:

1. Start early. The earlier you begin brushing with your child, the more routine it will become. Before teeth emerge, wipe your baby’s gums with a damp cloth after each feeding. Start brushing once the first tooth arrives.

2. Let your child choose the gear. Not only does this allow your child to have some control over the toothbrushing experience, it also increases the chances that your little one will look forward to using the products. Toddlers can choose among character toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes and flavored toothpaste. Your child can also choose flavored floss or floss holders.

3. Make brushing fun! Is your current toothbrushing routine any fun? Consider adding in some silliness: Play music while your child brushes. It creates a great atmosphere while also helping you make sure your child brushes for the recommended two minutes. Create your own toothbrushing song. Sing it to a tune your child already knows such as “Jingle Bells” or “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” Talk to your child’s teeth. You can pretend to search for hidden food: “Where are those carrots you ate for dinner? They must be in here somewhere!” If your child likes superheroes or princesses, search for them amongst the teeth. The sillier your idea, the more fun it will be for your little one. Bring along a friend. Your child may enjoy “brushing” the teeth of a favorite stuffed animal or doll before you brush his or her teeth.

4. Time it right. Aim to brush before some highly desirable activity. If your child enjoys a story before bedtime, brush right before. If bath time is fun, combine it with brushing.

5. Offer a reward.Use a toothbrushing chart to track how often your child brushes without a fuss. Place a sticker on the chart with each success. Then offer a reward when your child obtains a certain number of stickers. Rewards don’t have to be big; an extra story at bed time can do the trick.

6. Make it a family affair. Brush your own teeth while your child brushes. If there are other people in the home, they should brush with you, too.

7. Be consistent. If you brush in the morning after breakfast and at night before story time, keep it that way every day. This consistency will help your child know what to expect, leaving less room to complain.

8. Lead by example. If you practice good oral hygiene, your child will know it’s important. Be enthusiastic about showing your little one how fun brushing is and exaggerate your motions so they are easier to copy.