1. At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child's teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. As soon as the teeth begin to appear, start brushing twice daily using fluoridated toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a "smear" of toothpaste to brush the teeth of a child less than 2 years of age. For the 2-5 year old, dispense a "pea-size" amount of toothpaste and perform or assist your child’s toothbrushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.


2. How do I make my child 's diet safe for his teeth?

Recognize and remove the hidden sugars: juice, gatorade, kid yogurts, ketchup, etc. are all very high in sugar and put your child at risk for developing cavities. White milk and water are the only two things we have to drink that won' t put us at risk of getting cavities. Even diet drinks and the lightly flavored waters have acid containing substances that make our mouths better hosts for the bacteria that cause cavities.

Limit their exposure times to sugars and acids: One juice or soda a day at a meal time is better than that same drink broken down into smaller portions and served several times throughout the day. Each time that beverage passes over the teeth, your child' s mouth is at risk for developing cavities for approximately 30 minutes. If your child gets juice 4 times a day, then the teeth are at risk for 2 full hours. If your child gets juice once a day, the teeth are only at risk for 30 minutes.


3. Should my child take a fluoride supplement?

Flouride supplements are helpful to children that don' t get fluoride exposure in the water they drink and the foods they eat. However, no child should be on fluoride supplements until their water supply has been tested for natural fluoride content if it' s well water. Some well water already has fluoride in it. Additionally, packaged beverages, canned vegetables, drinks at restaurants are also potential sources of fluoride for your child. Your dentist needs to know all of these factors before determining if fluoride supplementation is right for your child. Too much swallowed fluoride can be very damaging to the permanent teeth growing under the gumline.


4. How do I know if my child is getting enough fluoride?

You and your dentist can discuss the factors listed above to determine whether or not your child is receiving enough fluoride.


5. What can be done to maintain a child' s teeth enamel so that the teeth will remain strong?

Have prescription strength fluoride applied at the dental office each visit, never let your child go to bed if they haven' t brushed with fluoridated toothpaste, help your children floss their back teeth at least once each day, provide them with healthy snacks that are missing the hidden sugars.