When should I eliminate pacifiers and thumb sucking?

Because sucking is a natural reflex for infants, thumb sucking and pacifier use for an infant is ok.  However, prolonged thumb sucking may cause problems with proper mouth growth and alignment of the teeth.  Aggressive thumb sucking may cause the front teeth to move and spread apart.  These habits should be discouraged around age 1-2.
Fact- If a pacifier falls on the ground, a parent should not "clean" it with their own mouth.  This can transmit harmful, cavity-causing bacteria to the child.

When should I begin brushing my child's teeth?

As soon as the teeth begin to erupt, start brushing twice daily using a fluoride-free toothpaste and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Use a very small amount of toothpaste for a child less than 2 years of age.  You may also opt to "dry brush" which eliminates toothpaste until the child is older.  This is completely fine as our goal is plaque removal and getting your young child used to regular brushing.  For a 2-5 year old, dispense a "pea-size"  amount of toothpaste and assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember that young children don't have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.  You may begin using fluoride toothpaste when your child is able to swish and spit without swallowing any toothpaste.  You may also look into toothpaste with hydroxyapatite as the remineralizing agent.

When should my child come in for their first dental appointment?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child visit the dentist by his/her 1st birthday.  Our office recommends bringing your children in around age 2 to 3 years old.  We have found it works best to set up a longer appointment time for yourself for a dental cleaning, and to have your child with at that appointment to observe and play. This appointment allows them to see what happens during a dental visit, and gets them prepared and excited for their first cleaning. 

Why is it important to fix dental decay in children?

It is very important to maintain the baby teeth.  These teeth hold space for the future eruption of the permanent teeth. If a baby tooth decays or is removed too early, the space necessary for the permanent tooth is lost and can only be regained through orthodontic treatment. Infected baby teeth can cause the permanent teeth to develop improperly resulting in stains, pits and weaker teeth.

What if my child gets a tooth knocked out?

If the tooth is an adult tooth, time is critical. Immediately stick the tooth back in the socket and call your dentist. If the tooth is a baby tooth, do not put it in the socket because damage to the permanent tooth can occur.

What is fluoride?

Fluorides are naturally occurring compounds containing fluorine, one of the most common elements in the earth's crust. Fluoride compounds and ions are found naturally in soil, minerals, plants, rivers and all water sources. It is found naturally in seawater at much higher levels than those used in the fluoridation of drinking water. In your body, fluoride helps stabilize the mineral content of bones and teeth and helps prevent tooth decay.

When should my child start using fluoride?

If your child is drinking tap water and you live in an area where the water is fluoridated, then they should be getting an adequate amount of fluoride. If they are drinking well water, filtered water, or bottled water (most brands of bottled water do not have fluoride in them unless the label specifically states that they do), then they may not be getting enough fluoride to keep their teeth healthy.  Talk with your Pediatrician or Dentist about fluoride supplements.

Is fluoride poisonous?

Toxicity is related to the dose rather than exposure to the substance itself. Many substances (chlorine, iodine, fluoride, iron, salt, vitamins A & D, antibiotics, painkillers, oxygen, and even water) can be dangerous at very high levels, but beneficial and even essential at low levels. Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance, and even after increasing the amounts of fluoride to optimal levels, the level in drinking water is less than one part per million.

Is there a fluoride alternative?

Yes, hydroxyapatite.  

What is hydroxyapatite?

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is one of the building blocks that make up your tooth enamel, dentin, and cementum.  This mineral has good biocompatibility which means that it’s highly compatible with living tissues. For that reason, hydroxyapatite is an ideal ingredient for bone and teeth repair.  There are several brands of toothpaste on the market that utilize hydroxyapatite as a re-mineralizing agent for caries prevention and sensitivity issues.