Introducing Your Child To Pediatric Dentistry [continued]

Q: When should my child start brushing?

A: Parents should start brushing their children’s teeth as soon as the teeth begin to appear. When brushing your child’s teeth, use a soft-bristled brush with a pea-sized, or smaller, amount of fluoride toothpaste. The brushing cleans the teeth, not the amount of toothpaste.

Q: How often should I replace my child’s toothbrush?

A: Dentists and hygienists recommend that you give your child a new toothbrush every three to four months or whenever the bristles appear worn or if your child gets sick. A worn toothbrush may not clean your child’s teeth effectively.

Q: What causes cavities?

A: There are many factors which can lead to dental decay. Excessive sweets, sticky snacks such as raisins, fruit roll-ups, gummy bears or hard candies and sweetened beverages such as Gatorade® can cause decay if not brushed away quickly. A balanced diet is as necessary for your child’s dental health as it is for the rest of the body. The use of a bottle, while sleeping, with anything in it other than water is a significant cause of cavities in very young children, as is breast feeding at will if your child sleeps with you.

Candy should only be given to your child once a week. Studies have shown it is how long the teeth are exposed to sugar, not how much sugar.

Q: What are sealants:

A: A sealant is a plastic-like material that is applied to the biting surfaces of the permanent posterior teeth. This plastic resin bounds into the depressions and grooves of the biting surfaces of the tooth and acts as a barrier protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

Q: What are X-rays used for?

A: X-rays reveal problems that we can not see with the naked eye. X-rays are used to determine the position of the teeth including those that haven’t erupted, as well as decay that begins between teeth.

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