Essential Dental Products For Your Little One

Healthy teeth help in ensuring that the overall health of the child is maintained. With healthy teeth, children can eat and talk properly. When you teach your kids oral health habits, they are more likely to continue those habits throughout their lives. When it comes to kids oral hygiene, your child won’t know how to care for their teeth at first. They’ll learn what you teach them, so teaching kids oral health habits from an early age is essential.

When their oral care is poor, this can cause infection, tooth decay, as well as other oral health issues. There are various practices that you can do to make kids oral hygiene fun for them. For example, let them choose their own toothpaste and toothbrush. You could set a timer to ensure they brush their teeth for two minutes at least or plan activities after their dental checkups.

 

A Friendly Pair: Toothbrushes and Toothpaste

Fluoride is essential for the dental health of your child. This is why the kids oral care toothpaste you choose should have fluoride. Fluoride helps reduce cavities and is also known for hardening tooth enamel. Usually, children get fluoride through the water that they drink. Fluoride is commonly present in tap water.

At the same time, too much fluoride can be a problem. This can cause teeth to stain and affect kids oral health negatively. When your child goes for their dental checkup, they can get fluoride treatment done on their teeth.

Let your child choose their toothpaste, but ensure that the toothpaste has fluoride in it. Also, be careful to ensure that the child doesn’t accidentally swallow the fluoride toothpaste.

The kind of toothbrush you should get for your child will also depend on their age. This is what you should do for different age groups:

0-3 years: Kids oral care should begin as soon as the child gets their first tooth. By the time your child is one year old, use a toothbrush of the correct size. Their teeth should be brushed using water at least twice a day. You can also use toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride in it.

3-5 years: Continue using a soft child-sized toothbrush. For proper kids oral health practices, this is the time to start teaching them how to care for their teeth. If you’re sure your child won’t swallow the toothpaste, you can get them toothpaste with fluoride. Otherwise, opt for fluoride-free toothpaste. Use only a tiny amount of toothpaste to clean the teeth. Your child should clean their teeth at least twice a day.

6-9 years: By now, you can introduce fluoride toothpaste to your child’s oral care routine. This is also the time when it’s common for kids to get cavities. So, kids oral hygiene is crucial during this time. Teach the child to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth. Their toothbrush should have soft bristles, but they can be larger in size.

Ten years and older: When your child reaches ten years of age, they can start using larger toothbrushes. The soft bristled brushes aren’t so necessary for them anymore. They should be taught to brush their teeth for at least two minutes at a time. They should also brush their teeth twice daily.

Ensure that you’re buying your child a new toothbrush every three to six months.

Flossing for Children

Caring for kids teeth involves teaching them goods kids oral care habits. You should ensure that your child brushes their teeth twice daily and also that they floss their teeth every time after brushing their teeth. For your kids, consider purchasing floss that has a handle attached to either side to make it easier to use.

Food can get stuck between teeth. They can get stuck in areas that can’t be cleaned with a toothbrush. This is why flossing is essential. As soon as two of your child’s teeth start touching, it’s time to teach them how to floss their teeth. To floss their teeth, they should gently guide the floss between each of their teeth. The floss should be curved around the tooth to reach the gum line.

Swish Swish and Rinse! Mouthwash

You should only add mouthwash to the kids oral hygiene routine once they are at least six years of age. This is because young children may not know how to spit out the mouthwash properly and may end up swallowing it.

If your child is still swallowing toothpaste, don’t introduce them to mouthwash just yet. A child who is eight and older may have the motor control necessary to spit out the mouthwash after swishing it around their mouth. Choose a fluoride mouthwash for them if they aren’t using fluoride toothpaste. Note that too much fluoride can also negatively affect your kid’s teeth. When you’re caring for kids teeth, balance out how much fluoride their teeth get exposed to.

For older children, mouthwash can help eliminate bad breath, prevent cavities, strengthen teeth, and more.

 

 

Caring for kids teeth starts at an early age. Teach your child their kids oral health care routine early in life to ensure they maintain good hygiene practices throughout their life. Ensure they get regular dental checkups as well. Good kids oral care routines start with using a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth. Then, they should floss their teeth. Finally, they should swish around mouthwash in their mouth before spitting it out. For more information on dental hygiene and products for your little one, contact Woodlawn Kids Dental today!

Missing Teeth and What You Need to Know

Let’s face it – Missing teeth in children is not the most fun topic to talk about! However, it is an important discussion for kids’ oral health and should not be ignored.

In this blog post, Woodlawn Kids Dental will provide you with some critical information about Oligodontia and the best ways to navigate the issue. We will do this by analyzing the article – Kids and Missing Teeth—What Every Parent Should Know – written by Lynda Lin Grigsby and sharing our opinions on it. (Source: Parents, Kids and Missing Teeth—What Every Parent Should Know, by Lynda Lin Grigsby, medically reviewed by Wendy L. Hunter, M.D., January 22, 2023, https://www.parents.com/health/dental/kids-and-missing-teeth-what-every-parent-should-know/ ).

So, let’s get started!

Facts about Oligodontia

The original article talks about Oligodontia, which is one of the three types of teeth agenesis. Lynda Lin Grigsby shares that Oligodontia is a genetic condition in which more than six teeth are absent. It is a rare dental disorder affecting only 1% of the population.

Woodlawn Kids Dental agrees to this and shares that “Oligodontia is a rare dental condition where a person is born with only a few teeth or may not have any permanent teeth. The name is derived from two Greek words, “Oligo,” meaning “few,” and “Dontia,” meaning “teeth.”

Woodlawn Kids Dental further adds, “children suffering from this condition can face problems like speech problems or difficulty chewing. So, if someone in your family has this condition and your child is facing similar issues, it is wise to discuss it with an experienced children’s dentist.”

Oligodontia in children – how to know if your child is suffering from this condition?

In the original article, Lynda Lin Grigsby shares that children develop their first set of teeth, also known as primary teeth, by age three. However, these baby teeth begin to fall and make for permanent teeth between the ages of five and six. All 32 permanent teeth, excluding wisdom teeth, appear by the ages of 12 to 14.

So, if your child has certain teeth missing or some of their baby teeth have not fallen out, visiting a children’s dentist is ideal.

Woodlawn Kids Dental agrees to this and shares, “making regular visits to a pediatric dentist is essential for your kids oral health. Further, a dental checkup and a panoramic X-ray can help detect Oligodontia sooner rather than later.”

Woodlawn Kids Dental also adds, “it is natural for your child to feel anxious during their first dental checkup and X-ray. So, be sure to be patient with them.”

What are the right time and the best way to treat Oligodontia?

According to Lynda Lin Grigsby, parents should empower themselves with ample research on the condition if the children’s dentist has detected Oligodontia. The disorder can be corrected with the help of dental implants.

However, young patients should wait till they reach complete facial growth before receiving a permanent solution. 

Woodlawn Kids Dental supports this and further includes, “if left undetected or untreated, Oligodontia can cause serious dental issues. For example, it can negatively impact jawbone growth, affect facial features, and take a toll on your children’s speech and chewing abilities.”

 

So, that was all about Oligodontia – what it is and how it can affect your kids oral health. To conclude, Woodlawn Kids Dental shares, “teeth are one of the essential parts of our bodies. They impact not only our speech, chewing, and smile but also our facial appearance and confidence. Thus, detecting conditions like Oligodontia as soon as possible is important. Take your children to a regular dental checkup to care for their teeth and precious smile.”

Are Dental X-Rays Necessary for Children?

Children’s dental health is vital as it lays the groundwork for their adult dental health. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children start seeing the dentist by their first birthday or six months after their first tooth erupts. The early dental checkup can identify any potential issues early on and provide guidance on dental care.

However, some parents may wonder if dental x-rays are necessary during these visits. Let’s explore.

Why are dental x-rays essential for my child’s oral health?

Dental x-rays are crucial for detecting dental conditions that cannot be seen visually in children’s oral health. These conditions include tooth decay, cavities, abnormalities, developing wisdom teeth, and dental injuries or trauma. They also determine the proper development of adult teeth and ensure that there is enough space for them to come through.

The ideal age for a child to have their first dental X-ray is around 5-6 years old when their permanent teeth start to emerge.

The frequency of these x-rays depends on their unique requirements. Typically, kids may need x-rays every six months to one year to monitor their dental health and guarantee the appropriate development of their teeth. Nevertheless, some children may need more frequent x-rays, particularly those who are at high risk of cavities or orthodontic problems.

What are the common types of dental x-rays for children?

There are various types of children’s x-rays for dental evaluation, including the following:

Bitewings: Captures images of the upper and lower teeth, allowing the dentist to detect any decay between the teeth.

Cephalometric: A diagnostic radiograph used to evaluate facial and cranial skeletal growth and development.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography: Produces a 3D image of the teeth, jawbone, and soft tissues, providing detailed information about the oral structures.

Occlusal: Captures images of the roof or floor of the mouth, allowing the dentist to detect any abnormalities.

Orthodontic: Helps orthodontists assess the teeth, jaws, and facial structure to plan orthodontic treatment.

Panoramic: Gives a broad view of the entire mouth, including the teeth, jaws, sinuses, and nasal areas.

Periapical: Captures images of a single tooth, aiding in the diagnosis of any tooth problems.

One of the most common and frequently asked questions is: what is the difference between intraoral and extraoral x-rays? Intraoral x-rays are taken inside the mouth to capture detailed images of teeth, gums, and bone structure. On the other hand, extraoral x-rays are taken outside the mouth to capture a broader view of the head, jaw, and neck area.

Is there a reason for concern?

Parents may worry about the safety of dental x-rays for their children, including concerns about radiation exposure and its effects on their health. They may also worry about how to calm their children if they become anxious during the procedure. The cost, necessity, and alternative options to dental x-rays are other possible concerns.

However, dental x-rays for children are safe with little to no risk of harm. Children’s digital x-ray machine has evolved over the years and emits less radiation than traditional film x-rays. Dentists also take precautions, like using protective coverings and taking only one image instead of multiple, to ensure the child’s safety during the x-ray.

Parents can discuss their concerns with the dentist, who can adjust the machine’s low settings and explain the benefits of x-rays to ensure the child’s optimal care. If x-rays aren’t necessary, parents can discuss alternative options or schedule another appointment. The ultimate goal is to maintain the child’s good oral health and a happy smile.

 

 

Woodlawn Kids Dental uses the latest digital dental x-ray machine technology, ensuring the lowest possible radiation exposure and maximum safety for children. The dental Pan-ceph x-ray unit is also available for panoramic viewing and detailed oral structure analysis.

Woodlawn Kids Dental prioritizes children’s oral health and provides advanced dental x-ray technology for the best possible care.

Oral Health Tips for Ages 0-6 Months

Most new parents are unaware that kids oral care must start from birth onwards. Yes, even before your little one gets their first teeth at around six months. Starting early helps maintain perfect oral health, and that means you keep the little one’s mouth bacteria-free.

Learn how you can prioritize your child’s oral health even before you take them to their first children’s dentist appointment at month six.

The importance of starting early oral care

Keeping the baby’s mouth and gums clean ensures there is no chance of bacteria developing here and entering the baby’s system. Milk residue on their gums can cause trouble too. Cleaning it out ensures healthy gums, which are critical for healthy teeth later on.

The teeth may begin to emerge at the age of six months. Start cleaning the baby’s teeth even as it begins to emerge. Healthy teeth in the correct position ensure that permanent teeth can come in at the right places later.

Also, getting the child accustomed to dental cleaning is a fantastic way to introduce oral hygiene right from the start. When the teeth come in, and you start brushing, they are already used to similar activities, and they cooperate.

Essential oral hygiene tips for infants ages 0-6 months

All you need for efficient kids oral care for a newborn is a clean washcloth. Clean the baby’s mouth and gums gently and softly with the wet washcloth twice daily or after feeding. Hold their head in the crook of your arm to ensure you do not accidentally apply too much force as they wiggle around. Keep your nails clean and trimmed so that you don’t injure their tender inner mouth or gums accidentally. Clean their tongue with a clean washcloth too.

While it is not time for the first children’s dentist visit, you can always visit one if you are still determining how to tackle your baby’s dental hygiene at this point.

One main aspect to focus on is keeping bacteria away from their mouth. Common ways in which bacteria can gain access is via things that they put in their mouth. That includes pacifiers, teethers, their bottle, your fingers, toys, etc.

Sterilize the things that go in her mouth most often. Keep your fingers clean and your nails trimmed to prevent bacteria growth in between the crevices of your hand. Clean your hand thoroughly before you come to the baby.

Putting baby’s pacifier or bottle nipple in your mouth to clean it or kissing baby on the lips is a big ‘NO’!

Get ready for babies first tooth!

The central incisors (front teeth) are usually the first to emerge. These may be the upper or the lower set, and they can peep out at any time, starting from six months of age to 14 months. The next teeth are those just beside the central incisors. This is the time for the baby’s first visit to the children’s dentist too.

You know that baby is teething when they are drooling more than average. This can even cause rashes around the mouth. Some babies develop a very mild fever or seem warmer than usual too.

Flushed cheeks and reddish or sore gums are an indicator of teething too. So is a more fussy infant who is not sleeping well. You may also notice her rubbing her ear frequently.

While your baby’s dentist will address all kids oral care concerns during the visit, don’t hesitate to clarify your doubts. Try to familiarize the baby with what will happen at the dentist’s by playing games with her where she opens wide when you go, “Say Aaaah.”

 

Oral health depends on how soon and how well you begin kids oral care. Don’t wait for the first tooth to make an appearance. Even earlier, the baby’s gums need cleaning and care. Schedule an appointment when the baby begins to teeth. Then, maintain a regular schedule for visiting the children’s dentist.