|
Learn how to help your child establish and maintain correct oral health habits that will keep their teeth healthy and strong.
Parents are encouraged to begin their child's preventive dental care prior to the eruption of the first tooth (about 6 months). The American Academy of pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child have his/her first dental visit shortly after the first primary tooth erupts and no later than the first birthday. Subsequent "recall" visits are recommended twice a year.
Dr. Franklin places special emphasis on preventive dentistry. Regular check-ups (twice a year), cleanings, radiographs, fluoride treatment, and sealants are part of a preventive protocol, which can help your child grow-up cavity-free.
Prevention of tooth decay isn't the only reason for early and regular check-ups. Most problems associated with the alignment of the teeth and jaws can be identified at an early age. Early intervention may be suggested in order to eliminate a developing orthodontic problem.
Prevent Early Childhood Caries
Teething
Flouride: More is better
Smoking: Just say NO!
Oral Piercing Dangers
Dunking Dangers
Prevent Early Childhood Caries
Liquids left on your baby's teeth for long periods of time can cause permanent damage. You can prevent "early childhood caries" if you: Always hold your baby during feedings. Never "prop" a bottle.
Discontinue nursing or remove the bottle from your baby's mouth if your baby falls asleep during a feeding.
Always put sweet liquids, like juice, in a cup.
Don't put your baby in bed with a bottle filled with formula, milk or juice. If a bottle is needed to help your baby fall asleep, fill it with water.
Replace the bedtime bottle with a special blanket or stuffed animal, or special bedtime routine, like singing a song, listening to a tape, or reading a story.
- Don't put carbonated beverages in your child's bottle.
- Don't allow your child to walk around with a bottle after mealtimes.
- Schedule a visit with Dr. Franklin when baby is about 12 months old.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Gerber Products Company
Teething
Teething normally occurs from about six months to 30 months of age. Once a baby's first tooth erupts, others follow in clusters until all 20 primary teeth are in. During teething, many children become irritable, drool a lot, suck on their toys, blankets, or fingers, and/or lose their appetite. While some discomfort is normal, fever, ear tugging, diarrhea, and flu-like symptoms are not caused by teething. If your baby is experiencing any of these symptoms during teething, consult your pediatrician. You can ease teething discomfort by offering your baby hard, cool teethers, or frequent drinks of cool water.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Gerber Products Company
Fluoride: More is Not Better
Most people already know that fluoride is good for teeth; it keeps teeth from losing necessary minerals, and fights tooth decay through the reduction of plaque. However, more is not better. Children who are exposed to too much fluoride are susceptible to enamel fluorosis, which can affect the appearance of permanent teeth.
Fluoride occurs naturally in all water supplies, but not always in the right amount. Many communities adjust their water supplies to provide the optimal amount of fluoride. This is usually a safe amount, but families should have the fluoride level in their water checked by Dr. Franklin. In addition to drinking water, many children swallow fluoridated toothpaste. While toothpaste is an important way to prevent tooth decay, parents must closely monitor toothbrushing. Children under age 2 are likely to swallow the toothpaste after brushing. Also, parents should check with their pediatric dentist about combining fluoridated toothpaste with fluoridated water, and, to prevent fluorosis, should make sure their preschool children use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Smoking : JUST SAY NO!
It should come as no surprise that smoking is harmful to your health. But, did you know that your smoking could also be harmful to your child's tooth development? A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry found that second-hand smoke delays the formation of permanent teeth.
The normal age for the eruption of the first permanent teeth is about six years. In homes where one or both parents smoke, this normal development is delayed.
Parents who must smoke should not do so in the presence of children and should make sure that the room where they smoke is properly ventilated. Expectant mothers and their spouses should never smoke. If you have concerns about your child's tooth development, talk to Dr. Franklin.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Oral Piercing Dangers
As many parents know, oral piercing, including cheek, lip, and especially tongue piercing, has been gaining popularity among young adults.
Although many parents may not be overjoyed to discover that their teen has pierced his tongue, oral piercings are often allowed, as they may seem relatively harmless. Dentists, however, see the problems oral piercings cause and consider them a public health hazard.
Due to the abundance of bacteria in the mouth, pierced areas may become infected and swell, possibly blocking air passages.
Besides this, the jewelry may cause damage to teeth, make it difficult to chew or talk, or be swallowed and cause choking. Furthermore, tongue piercings can lead to serious damage to the gum tissue around the front teeth, and have been reported to cause nerve damage.
A resolution from the American Dental Association calls for more research into the health risks of oral piercing. Until the results come in, parents should re-think letting teens get any oral piercing.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Dunking Dangers
Everyone needs a hero and many young people find inspiration in their favorite athletes. These days, basketball players are especially popular. Children want shoes, jerseys and other gear to look just like their idols.
Unfortunately your child's desire to be like her favorite basketball player could be hazardous to her oral health. Many future NBA and WNBA all-stars practice their slam dunks on adjustable basketball goals which they lower to reach the rim. This creates a dangerous situation that too often leads to broken or missing teeth, broken jaws and other facial injuries.
Here are a few pointers to help prevent injury:
- Make sure backboards are raised to a level where the face will not come in contact with the net or rim.
- Discourage young people from creating platforms to raise themselves closer to the net.
- Climbing or hanging on the rim should be forbidden.
- Wearing mouthguards is the best way to avoid injury. Mouthguards should be worn during any sport (even if you do not have braces). Special mouthguards are available through Dr. Franklin.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
|
