Family Health
October 2009
Dental Essentails
by Kate Willard

Few things are as contagious as a child’s smile, but it’s easy to forget how much work it takes to maintain it. In fact, caring for a child’s dental hygiene is something that starts in infancy.

“Today, pediatric dentists are approaching things from a preventative technique rather than trying to fix everything after it’s already become a problem,” says Dr. Stephanie Strickland, a dentist with Pediatric Dentistry in midtown Manhattan. Starting in infancy, parents are advised to clean their child’s mouth with cotton gauze mouth wipes to remove plaque and residue.

At one year old, a child is ready for their first visit to the dentist. “The most important appointment in a child’s life is the one-year appointment,” says Dr. Mario Vilardi, a periodontist and publisher of “Dear Doctor Dentistry and Oral Health” magazine.

But it’s a visit many parents overlook. “A lot of times, unfortunately, parents don’t bring their child in until around 3 years of age,” says Mark Hochberg, a pediatric dentist on the Upper East Side. “But the first visit is so important because the child gets a full examination and we counsel parents on important steps about bottle feeding, diet, and home care instruction.”

Starting when the first tooth erupts, children should use a child size toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste. Once they can spit it out, which usually happens between 2 and 3 years of age, they can use fluoridated toothpaste. “A child who chronically swallows fluoridated toothpaste can get white spots on their grownup teeth,” points out Hochberg.

Until a child is 6 or 7, parents should help them brush, as it’s unlikely a child can do so correctly unsupervised. At age 7, a child is often ready to start flossing on their own (before which parents can help them, starting when their first molars appear). This is also a good time to introduce fluoridebased rinses like ACT.

But perhaps the most important step to take in maintaining your child’s healthy smile is finding a pediatric dentist you love. When you’re looking for a dentist, look for features that indicate their office is kidfriendly. Toys, games, and videos can be helpful in easing children’s fears about visiting the dentist. Finding a dentist who explains what is happening in terms a child can understand is also key.

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When should Your Child Start Brushing | How To Choose A Dentist is a post from: Invisalign and The Future of Braces & Dental Health

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