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Oral
Health > For
Parents
"Mom
& Me" and "Smiles"
Programs
Baby
Bottle Tooth Decay Prevention
Protect
Your Child's Teeth
Dental
Sealants
Dental
Care for Your Baby
Mouth
Protectors
"Mom
& Me" and "Smiles"
Program
New
recommendations state that
children should have their
first dental visit by their
first birthday. The Health
District refers Medicaid-eligible
children, ages birth to six,
to the "Mom and Me"
Dental Care Program, which
is sponsored by the Yakima
Valley Dental Society. Early
oral exams contribute to healthy
baby teeth, positive dental
experiences, and prevention
of dental disease and pain.
For enrollment information,
please call the Mom and Me
office, 509.248.1305.
The
Y.V.D.S. also can arrange appointments for medicaid-eligible
school-age children. Call 509.248.1305 for information
about the Smiles Program.
Baby
Bottle Tooth Decay Information
Baby
bottle tooth decay is caused
by giving a child a bottle
filled with soda pop, formula,
fruit juice, and even milk,
to use without supervision.
DECAYED
TEETH HURT!
How
to help avoid Baby Bottle Tooth Decay:
- Take
the bottle from the child's mouth before he
or she is asleep.
- Start
teaching your child to drink from a training
cup at 6 months of age.
- Wean
your child at 12 months of age.
- If
you use a pacifier, don't dip it in sugar, honey,
or corn syrup.
- Do
not give your child a bottle containing sweetened
drinks, or soda pop at any time of the day.
- Clean
your baby's teeth and gums after feedings with
a clean, soft wash cloth, or gauze.
- Ask
your dentist, physician, or nutritionist about
fluoride for making your child's teeth stronger.
LET'S
DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP OUR CHILDREN GROW
UP PAIN FREE, WITH HAPPY, HEALTHY SMILES.
Protect
Your Child's Teeth
- Clean
your newborn's tongue and gums with a moist
baby washcloth.
- When
the first teeth appear, brush them with a soft
infant brush and water.
- After
age one, brush your child's teeth at least once
each day with a "pea-size dab" of
fluoride toothpaste.
- Ask
your dentist for a prescription for fluoride
drops or pills if your water doesn't contain
enough fluoride to prevent cavitities.
- Give
your child healthy snacks like cheese, fruit,
and vegetables.
- Take
your child to the dentist by age one and continue
regular checkups as your dentist recommends.
Sealants
- Sealants
are thin plastic coatings that are applied to
the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent
cavities.
- Even
if your child brushes and flosses carefully,
it is difficult to keep all of the grooves and
pits completely clean. Food and germs collect
in these grooves and can cause decay.
- Sealants
protect the grooves from food and germs.
- Sealant
application is quick and easy. The tooth is
cleaned and conditioned and thoroughly dried.
The sealant material is then painted on the
tooth and allowed to harden or is hardened with
a special light.
- Sealants
can last for several years and can be repaired
or replaced if necessary.
- Your
dentist or dental clinic can place sealants,
and in some areas dental teams travel to schools
to place sealants for the children.
- The
Yakima Health District works with dentists,
dental hygienists, and Yakima Valley Community
College to provide a "Free Sealant Day"
each Februaray during Children's Dental Health
Month.
Dental
Care for Your Baby
Q.
When should my child first see a dentist?
A:
"First visit by first birthday" sums
it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist
when the first tooth comes in, usually between
six and twelve months of age. Early examination
and preventive care will protect your child’s
smile now and in the future.
Q.
Why so early? What dental problems could a baby
have?
A:
The most important reason is to begin a thorough
prevention program. Dental problems can begin
early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries
(also know as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing
caries). Your child risks severe decay from
using a bottle during naps or at night or when
they nurse continuously from the breast.
The
earlier the dental visit, the better the chance
of preventing dental problems. Children with
healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak
clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your
child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
Q.
How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle
or nursing?
A:
Encourage your child to drink from a cup as
they approach their first birthday. Children
should not fall asleep with a bottle. At-will
nighttime breast-feeding should be avoided after
the first primary (baby) teeth begins to erupt.
Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided.
When juice is offered, it should be in a cup.
Q.
When should bottle-feeding be stopped?
A:
Children should be weaned from the bottle at
12-14 months of age.
Q.
Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?
A:
Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants;
most stop by age 2. If your child does not,
discourage it after age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking
can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems.
Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest
ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.
Q.
When should I start cleaning my baby’s
teeth?
A:
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean
your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush
and water. Remember that most small children
do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth
effectively. Unless it is advised by your child’s
pediatric dentist, do not use fluoridated toothpaste
until age 2-3.
Q.
Any advice on teething?
A:
From six months to age 3, your child may have
sore gums when teeth erupt. Many children like
a clean teething ring, cool spoon, or cold wet
washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring;
others simply rub the baby’s gums with
a clean finger.
Source:
www.aapd.org
Mouth
Protectors
Q:
What are athletic mouth protectors?
A:
Athletic mouth protectors, or mouth guards,
are made of soft plastic. They are adapted to
fit comfortably to the shape of the upper teeth.
Q:
Why are mouth guards important?
A:
Mouth guards hold top priority as sports equipment.
They protect not just the teeth, but the lips,
cheeks, and tongue. They help protect children
from such head and neck injuries as concussions
and jaw fractures. Increasingly, organized sports
are requiring mouth guards to prevent injury
to their athletes. Research shows that most
oral injuries occur when athletes are not wearing
mouth protection.
Q:
When should my child wear a mouth guard?
A:
Whenever he or she is in an activity with a
risk of falls or of head contact with other
players or equipment. This includes football,
baseball, basketball, soccer, hockey, skateboarding,
even gymnastics. We usually think of football
and hockey as the most dangerous to the teeth,
but nearly half of sports-related mouth injuries
occur in basketball and baseball.
Q:
How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?
A:
Any mouth guard works better than no mouth guard.
So, choose a mouth guard that your child can
wear comfortably. If a mouth guard feels bulky
or interferes with speech, it will be left in
the locker room.
You
can select from several options in mouth guards.
First, preformed or "boil-to-fit"
mouth guards are found in sports stores. Different
types and brands vary in terms of comfort, protection,
and cost. Second, customized mouth guards are
provided through your pediatric dentist. They
cost a bit more, but are more comfortable and
more effective in preventing injuries. Your
pediatric dentist can advise you on what type
of mouth guard is best for your child.
Source:
www.aapd.org
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