Oral Hygiene & Nutrition

Regular visits to the dentist are only part of the preventive care needed to maintain oral health.

It is imperative that a child learn early on proper brushing and flossing habits. Our pediatric dental team is particularly qualified to provide patient education in a kid-friendly and easy-to-understand manner. As part of the exam and consultation process, children will be taught everything they need to know to maintain their oral health for life.

Sugary foods are the perfect food for the bacteria in child’s mouths. Bacteria in the mouth converts sugars to acids that begin to eat away at tooth enamel. Meanwhile, there are some foods that are already acidic to begin with. When these sugary and acidic foods are regularly in the mouth, tooth decay is more likely to happen. This decaying process leads to cavities and other problems. Our dental team can provide the best suggestions for snacking and other food habits to keep your child’s teeth as strong and healthy as possible.

Caries is a common bacterial disease caused by plaque-induced acid demineralization of the tooth. There are risk factors and protective factors, and keeping them in balance is what prevents cavities in your children's teeth. Here are some age-appropriate tips for proper at-home oral hygiene and nutrition:

INFANTS

• If your infant falls asleep while feeding, wipe their teeth before laying them in bed.
• Start brushing your child's teeth twice a day when they start to erupt.
• Infants should not be put to bed with a bottle.
• Ad libitum breast-feeding should be avoided after the first teeth erupt.
• Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their 1st birthday.
• Schedule your child for a Well Baby Dental Visit by their 1st birthday.

AGES 1-6

• Parents should continue to assist their children with tooth brushing.
• Parents should dispense a "pea-sized" amount of fluoride toothpaste after age 2.
• Wean your baby from the bottle by 12-14 months of age.
• Floss your child's teeth once a day, as instructed by Dr. Lee.
• Avoid letting your child use a sippy cup to drink juice, milk, soda, or other beverages that contain fermentable carbohydrates, especially between meals.
• Help your child develop healthy snacking habits by offering foods that are nutritious.
• Avoid allowing your child to "nibble" throughout the day.
• * Remember: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children ages 1-6 should drink no more than 4-6 ounces of juice a day from a cup as part of a meal or snack.

SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

• Parents should assure that their child brushes twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Look for plaque along the gum line of the front teeth to verify effectiveness of brushing.
• Parents should continue to supervise and assist as needed with daily brushing and flossing.
• Occasional sweets and treats are best consumed after a healthy meal.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes water, not sports or energy drinks, as the principal source of hydration for children and adolescents.
• Active children burn lots of calories and usually eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day. Help them make healthy choices and avoid "empty" calories. Discourage children from "sipping and grazing" because frequency of exposure to sugars and fermentable carbohydrates increases the risk of caries.

TEENS

• Remind your teen to brush thoroughly at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• If your teen frequently "forgets to brush" or is "too tired", help them pick a time of day that can work better for them, like after school or after dinner.
• Remind your child to floss daily.
• Make healthy snacks available and discourage frequent "sipping and nibbling".
• Discourage your teen from drinking soda, sports drinks, and other acidic, sugary beverages.
• Remember that diet sodas are acidic and may increase the risk of enamel erosion.
• Energy drinks are popular with teens, but contain sugar and caffeine or other stimulants. Some contain more than 500mg of caffeine which is like drinking 14 cans of cola!