National Children's Dental Health Month Tips!

In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, here are some helpful tips to keep your child's teeth cavity-free and healthy!

1) When Do Teeth Erupt?
Your child's teeth will begin to show up around 6 months and will normally have a full set by the age of 3.  Your child will have 20 "baby teeth".

2) When Do I Schedule Their First Dental Visit?
You child's first visit to the dentist should occur when their first tooth appears, and no later than their first birthday.  Even though your child may not have many teeth yet, it's a good idea to acclimate them to the dentist and for the dental team to review helpful home-care tips with parents.
Your dentist may also apply a fluoride varnish, to help prevent decay.

3) When Do I Start Brushing Their Teeth and How Much Toothpaste Do I Use?
Parents should start brushing their child's teeth twice per day, as soon as teeth appear.  Make sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush with an appropriate size head to fit in their mouths.  Use a portion of children's toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, until they are 3 years old.  After age 3, you can use a pea-sized amount of children's toothpaste.

4) How Do I Prevent Baby Bottle Decay?
It seems simple enough to avoid, but unfortunately many young children suffer from baby bottle decay.  These types of cavities can be devastating and progress rather quickly, and usually occur on the upper front teeth.  Frequent or prolonged exposure to drinks that contain sugar are usually responsible. Do not put your child to bed with a bottle in their mouth, or use a bottle as a pacifier.  If your child falls asleep after using their bottle, try to gently wipe the inside of their mouths with a wet washcloth.

5) What Are Dental Sealants?
One very effective treatment a dentist can offer to prevent cavities in children are dental sealants.  Once the first adult molars have appeared, your child can have a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surface of these teeth.  Children without sealants have 3x more cavities than children with sealants and according to the Centers for Disease Control and ADA’s Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars.

New Year Oral Health Resolutions!

 

 

The start of a new year is the perfect time to focus on improving your oral health and following through with any goals you have to improve your smile.  In addition to making regular trips to the dentist, here are some other "dental resolutions" that are easy to achieve and will lead to a brighter smile in 2017!

Routine Dental Visits

Routine dental visits are the easiest way to improve your health, to prevent oral diseases and to diagnose existing dental abnormalities. A "check-up" every 6 months is recommended so that your dentist can effectively monitor the condition of your oral cavity and so that they can create an appropriate treatment plan to meet your goals and needs.

Toothbrushing/Flossing Habits

"2x2" is the catchphrase that describes the ideal toothbrushing regimen,  For successful bacterial plaque removal, you must brush at least twice a day using an appropriately sized, soft-bristle, manual or electric toothbrush and a recommended toothpaste. It is also important to floss at least once daily in order to remove plaque and food that accumulates between your teeth throughout the day. By committing to a good toothbrushing/flossing routine, you can prevent gingivitis (gum disease) or periodontal disease (bone loss), tooth decay and halitosis (bad breath).

Healthier Food/Beverage Choices

Making healthier food and beverage choices can go a long way in achieving optimum oral health. Diets high in carbohydrate or sugar intake and beverages high in acid or sugars can severely damage the protective outer layer of your teeth (enamel).  Try substituting your diet with healthier options.

Tobacco Cessation

Quitting smoking or smokeless tobacco use is not easy, but the benefits on your oral and overall health are undeniable. There are many online sources, smoking cessation groups, progress-tracking apps and support from friends and family to assist you with tobacco cessation.  Your dentist can provide you with more information on tobacco cessation as well as the harmful effects of tobacco use on your mouth.

Cosmetic Dentistry

If you are cavity-free and in good oral health, there is always room for improvement in the new year.  Have you considered braces to straighten your teeth or correct your bite?  Have you thought about teeth bleaching in order to whiten your teeth and/or to remove embarrassing stains?  Why not consider getting old or defective fillings replaced with more esthetic materials.  Have you considered the dental benefits of Botox or dermal fillers to refresh your face and smile? 

Give us a call at Beachside Dental to schedule your first dental visit of 2017!  Happy New Year!