Dentistry for Kids: What the Tooth Fairy Won’t Tell You

Babies and kids are constantly growing and changing, and their mouths are no exception! Throughout childhood, kids lose their baby teeth, gain adult teeth, and they begin to take ownership of their own oral health. From brushing to braces to practicing their smiles, oral health is important for every kid at every stage. Read on for tips to help keep your kid smiling for life—we know you love to see your child smile, and so does Sweet City Smiles!

Caring for Kids’ Teeth

Your child’s first teeth—often called “baby teeth”—make their momentous early arrival and continue to serve many purposes until they fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. Baby teeth hold a place in the jaw, paving the way for the adult teeth to grow in properly.  Kids who develop cavities are more likely to develop them later as adults. Don’t dismiss the importance of oral health for kids, even though there’s so much transition in their mouth in these early days.

Basic oral health for kids includes brushing and flossing twice a day. Be sure your child is brushing long enough (and having some fun) by playing a favorite song that’s roughly two minutes long to brush along to. Very young children may still need help and supervision to be sure they’ve thoroughly brushed all their teeth. But don’t wait to teach your kid how to do this on her own—kids are more likely to participate if they feel empowered and valued in the process.

For kids 3 and up, fluoride toothpaste is safe and recommended for the best tooth care and prevention. Kids need good nutrition for growing, healthy bodies—teeth and gums included! Serve meals with lots of vitamins and minerals and make sugary snacks and drinks a rare treat to prevent cavities and tooth decay. And of course, take your child to see the dentist twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings.

Care for Every Occasion

Your kid’s oral healthcare should be just as personalized as all of their interests and activities. Depending on your family’s lifestyle, here are some special ways to celebrate and protect your kid’s teeth:

• Consider fun “Tooth Fairy” traditions to celebrate your child’s growth as they lose their baby teeth and gain the adult set.
• It’s very important that kids wear mouthguards while playing sports. Losing a tooth (baby or adult) causes a lot of other problems in the mouth, and mouthguards can also help prevent concussions!
• If your kid does lose a tooth (playing sports or otherwise), keep it clean and wet in water or milk and call your dentist immediately. Use the emergency answering service after normal business hours.
• Older kids and teens start to become aware of their appearance and bad breath. These are extra reasons to encourage healthy habits (like brushing, flossing, and wearing a retainer) to build confidence.

Dentists Love Kids!

Children should visit the dentist twice a year, just like adults. After cleaning your child’s teeth, your dentist may suggest:

• Sealants, a strong “sealing” material over the chewing surface of teeth to prevent cavities. (Sealants are cheaper than getting a cavity filled, too.)
• Depending on age, mouth size, and state of the wisdom teeth, your dentist might suggest scheduling a minor extraction procedure to have them removed.
• Braces, spacers, or other orthodontics might be necessary to help your child’s mouth grow in the healthiest shape.

Make an appointment with your Sugar Hill dentists for your child today to invest in millions of smiles to come.

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

*Dr. Jonathan Chang is a general dentist providing pediatric dentistry services.