Ignore Your Teeth and They’ll Go Away

Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, we have developed a primer to help with your child’s dental care.
Good oral habits should begin before the teeth grow in. This may involve using gauze to wipe the gums or a soft bristled toothbrush to clean the plaque from newly erupting baby teeth. By age two, when most children have all their primary teeth, it is important to introduce flossing to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing and flossing with your children is a great way for parents to promote these healthy habits.
A child’s first dental visit should be around 2-3 years of age. It is crucial for parents to create a positive experience for their child’s first dental visit. Getting children to associate a positive experience with going to the dentist is an important step in preventing dental fears from developing.
Fluoride is a very helpful tool in achieving good oral health. It is a nutritional supplement that strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Make sure to ask your pediatrician for fluoride drops for your baby or multi vitamins containing fluoride. In-office topical fluoride applications, rinses and fluoride toothpastes are other methods to assist in cavity prevention.
Permanent teeth start to erupt around ages 6-7 years. Once the permanent molars erupt, it is important to consider sealants to help prevent cavities in chewing surfaces. Sealants create a barrier, protecting the enamel in cavity prone areas from decay causing bacteria and plaque.
Remembering to protect your child’s teeth during sports is also crucial to optimal oral health. A mouth guard is an essential piece of athletic equipment that can help prevent broken teeth and jaw injuries. Because sports-related injuries can cost thousands of dollars in treatment, a custom mouth guard is a worthwhile investment.
Depending on the alignment of your child’s teeth, an orthodontic evaluation may also be recommended. At Cape May Dental Associates, Fastbraces® has been a wonderful addition to the list of services offered. Fastbraces® is an easy, fast, safe and affordable method to straighten teeth. Using triangular brackets that gently move the crown and root at the same time, it solves one of the biggest objections to getting a beautiful smile: the speed of treatment.
At Cape May Dental Associates, Dr. Ee and staff welcome you and your child and look forward to a lifetime of excellent oral health and great smiles.
-Chie Li Ee, DMD, and Gina Pratta