Baby bottle tooth decay or BBTD is a serious condition that is a result of long exposure of your infant’s teeth to liquid that contain sugar.  These liquids can include milk, breast milk, formula, juice and any other sweetened drinks. 

Share on Facebook

When babies are born they typically have around 20 teeth partly formed inside the gums. The front two, lower first and then upper, are the first to erupt between 6-12 months of age. By age 3, most kids have a set of 20 primary teeth in their mouths.  The American Dental Association recommends scheduling your child’s first appointment between the arrival of his/her first tooth and first birthday.

Share on Facebook

Did you know that, mothers who have poor dental health could be at a higher risk of passing bacteria that causes cavities to their children? However, there are many things that can be done to help decrease this risk such as:  

• Having regular dental visits
• Daily brushing and flossing 
• Having a healthy diet that is low in sugars and starches  
• Choosing a toothpaste with fluoride  
• Rinsing daily with an alcohol free rinse.   
• Do not share eating utensils or things that can transmit bacteria with your children. 
• If you chew gum, choose something with xylitol as this can decrease you, and your children’s caries rate.

Share on Facebook

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all pregnant women obtain dental health care during their pregnancy. According to research done it has linked periodontal disease with preterm birth and low birth weight. Speak with your dentist on ways you can prevent or treat periodontal disease during pregnancy.

Share on Facebook

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry at 12 months, your baby is old enough to visit the dentist. Cavities are a common concern with children that is why it is important to take your child to the dentist regularly. 

Share on Facebook

You will want to put your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Brush the teeth from behind, making sure to support your baby’s head. When you brush, focus your efforts between the gums and teeth—that’s the most important area. Consult with your dentist about frequency, and if you should add flossing to your child’s routine.

Share on Facebook

Once your baby’s teeth start coming in, you may want to transition from the washcloth to a baby toothbrush and a toothpaste. If you do use toothpaste make sure it is still safe of babies. One example would be Tom’s of Maine’s new toddler training toothpaste which is specially formulated for age 3-24 months and it is safe if swallowed.  

Share on Facebook

Instead of a bag of chips serve cheese with lunch or as a snack, especially cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss, and other aged cheeses which help to trigger the flow of saliva. Saliva helps to wash food particles away from teeth

Share on Facebook

Fruits and vegetables: Try offering more fruits and vegetables as a snack instead of sugary treats. The best type of fruits and vegetables to offer would be those containing a high volume of water, such as pears, melons, celery, and cucumbers. Limit banana and raisin consumption as these contain concentrated sugar or if you serve these fruits, try to brush your child’s teeth immediately after they are eaten.

Share on Facebook

Question: Why should I take my toddler to the dentist when his baby teeth will just fall out anyway? I just wondering because my parents never took me to see a dentist until I was a teen with adult teeth.

Share on Facebook

Question: My son is 18 months of age and I been told he should see a dentist for a regular dental check up. However, I am not sure if he can just go to our family dentist or does he have to see a pediatric dentist.  

Share on Facebook

Question: I have a two year old and just wondering about what age should he be able to brush his own teeth?

Share on Facebook

By the time your baby is six months of age, your dentist should assess the likelihood of your baby having future dental problems. This may include a dental exam of the mother and her dental history, as the condition of her teeth can often predict her child’s teeth.  Be sure your child sees a dentist after the first primary teeth appear. After your first visit, schedule regular visits every six months or as your dentist recommends.   

Share on Facebook

Your baby’s first teeth usually begin to erupt through the gums at about six months of age, although the timing will vary among children. All of the 20 primary teeth should come in between the ages of six months and three years. Your child will lose his or her primary teeth between the ages of six and eleven.   

Share on Facebook

It is important to understand that a baby’s dental care really starts with his or her mother’s healthy pregnancy, because baby teeth begin to form before birth. If you are pregnant, make sure to eat a balanced, nutritious diet and get an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals as advise by your doctor. Do not avoid your dentist, sadly too many pregnant women do not go to the dentist and seeing a dentist while pregnant is important. Pregnant women have a higher risk of gum disease and therefore should see their dentist to maintain their oral health while pregnant

Share on Facebook

Sugary candy food texture can create issues for your teeth. Sticky substances seem to find their way in-between your teeth and along your gum line. The bacteria in your mouth interacts with the sugars to weaken your tooth enamel. Therefore avoid such candies as toffee and anything gummy (such as gummy bears) If you do eat this type of treat be extra diligent with your flossing and brushing afterwards.

Share on Facebook

Wine may get better with age but did you know it also ages your teeth? With high acidic content wine start to wear down on your teeth’s enamel almost immediately. Wine also stains teeth and can cause dry mouth. 

Share on Facebook

Although it can be hard to avoid flour-based, white starchy foods, for good dental health try limiting your refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates are correlated with increased inflammation, which in turn causes complications like gingivitis.

Share on Facebook

Although one of America’s favorite morning and afternoon beverages may be coffee and tea, they have compounds called tannins, which can cause unsightly stains and discoloring of your teeth. Therefore to avoid staining your teeth try and limited the amount of coffee and tea drinking throughout the day.  

Share on Facebook

Trust: Trust is always a big issue and you need to know whether or not you can trust your dentist and the advise on dental care you are receiving. Does your dentist answer your questions fully to where you understand the services he or she is suggesting to you.

Share on Facebook