FAQS

Teething is an important milestone for your child, but unfortunately, it isn't always a pleasant experience. Consider massaging your child's gums or offer a refrigerated - not frozen - pacifier or teething toy to soothe those sore gums. Teething infants love to chew, so you may want to offer a teething cracker after checking with your child's pediatrician. We do not recommend using topical anesthetics, which may be harmful to your child.

Even though your baby's primary teeth will eventually fall out, it's important to keep them healthy. They play an essential role in helping your child speak, chew, and smile properly. They also act as placeholders for the permanent teeth yet to erupt. If a primary tooth falls out too early due to decay or trauma, the nearby teeth can shift, leading to crooked adult teeth, overcrowding, and problems with the bite. Maintaining healthy baby teeth is important for your child’s oral health and development.

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or more colloquially as “cavity bugs”, is the most common chronic childhood disease, usually resulting from poor oral hygiene. If not treated, the decay can progress to the innermost portions of the tooth, affecting the pulp and nerves. Maintaining proper oral hygiene habits at home and keeping up with your child's routine dental checkups will lower the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

When sugary foods aren't cleaned off by regular brushing and flossing, cavity-causing bacteria feast on them and produce acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel, eating through it and creating holes called cavities.

Brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste helps remove plaque and prevents it from hardening to tartar. Flossing on a regular basis is also very important because it can clean places between the teeth that brushing may not reach. Make sure your child maintains a healthy, balanced diet and limits sugary drinks and beverages. Moreover, schedule regular dental visits every six months to allow us to monitor your child's oral health and provide treatment whenever necessary.

Early childhood decay, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, refers to cavities in children under age six. The first signs of ECC are typically white spots near the gum line. It is usually the result of frequent, prolonged exposure to foods and liquids high in sugar, including milk and juice. To prevent ECC, avoid putting your child in bed with a bottle of milk and juice and transition to a sippy cup by the first birthday. Moreover, make sure to clean your child's gums and teeth right from the start.  

Even before your baby's first tooth erupts, it's important to clean the gums after feedings with a damp, clean washcloth. As soon as the first tooth erupts, you can start using water and a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. When you come in for your child's first dental visit, we'll show you how to care for your child's smile.

Using fluoride on children's teeth is a personal choice, as some parents prefer to avoid it due to concerns about overexposure or health beliefs. If a parent chooses not to use fluoride, maintaining good oral hygiene is still key. This includes brushing with a non-fluoride toothpaste, ensuring regular brushing at least twice a day, flossing, limiting sugary snacks, and scheduling routine dental check-ups. Regular visits to a dentist can help catch any issues early and provide additional guidance on maintaining healthy teeth without fluoride.

If parents choose to use fluoride, start introducing fluoridated toothpaste when your child’s teeth first erupt. For children under 3 years old, apply a smear layer and for children 3-6 years old grain-of-rice-sized amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush. Once your child is older than 6 years old, you can increase this to a pea-sized amount. Supervise brushing until you are confident your child can brush thoroughly and responsibly, around age 7 or 8.

Your child's diet plays a vital role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Limit sugary treats and ensure your child consumes a balanced diet, including foods from the major food groups. These include meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, cereal, bread, and dairy products. If your child wants a snack, offer a healthy option, such as cheese, nuts, raw vegetables, or fresh fruits.