Common Questions...

                                    and Answers!

 

1. Can I transmit periodontal/gum disease to my baby?

Yes. Cavity-causing germs can be transmitted through contact - like when baby puts hands in your mouth, and then in his/her own mouth. That's why it's so important to keep you own teeth and gums healthy.

 

2. Why do we have baby teeth?

Although baby teeth fall out and get replaced by permanent teeth, they are vital. Baby teeth are needed for eating, talking and smile development.

As baby teeth come in, foods requiring chewing and biting are introduced into a child’s diet. These foods provide nutrition as children grow.

Baby teeth are also important in helping children reach speech milestones. The tongue and the teeth are key to forming sounds and making words.

Permanent teeth form in the jawbone and eventually push out the baby teeth. Properly maintained baby teeth help act as a space maintainer to guide permanent teeth into the correct position.

 

3. Is it ok if my child sucks his/her thumb?

Thumbsucking is normal for infants; most stop on their own by age 2. If your child continues, try to discourage it by age 4. Thumbsucking beyond age 4 can lead to crooked, crowded teeth and/or bite problems.

 

4. Is it ok for my baby to use a pacifier?

Yes, but don't dip it in sugar, honey or sweetened liquid. In addition: Try to have your child give up the pacifier by age 2. Keep in mind that while a pacifier and thumbsucking create no health difference for the child, a pacifier may be a better choice because it can be easier to wean child from a pacifier than from thumbsucking.

 

5. When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth/gums?

Begin cleaning baby's gums within the first few days of birth. This gets baby used to having his/her mouth feel clean. Daily brushing should begin once the first tooth has erupted, but continue to clean and massage gums where there are no teeth yet.

 

6. What is the best way to brush a toddler's teeth?

Use a small, soft-bristled brush. Use a circular or wiggling motion on all tooth surface, especially where the tooth meets the gumline. Once your toddler is able to spit out, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the brush. Families should ask their dentist to demonstrate during the child's dental visit.

 

7. When should I start using fluoride toothpaste for my child?

When your child is able to spit. Fluoride is safe and necessary to keep teeth strong, but only at appropriate levels. Younger toddlers tend to swallow toothpaste in excess amounts, and this may lead to fluorosis, which causes discoloration of the teeth.

 

8. I use bottled water at home, and it's not fluoridated. Is this ok?

If you use bottled water for drinking and cooking, or if your community water is not fluoridated -be sure to tell your doctor or dentist. They may prescribe fluoride supplements for the baby.

 

9. What causes crooked teeth?

Crooked teeth (known as malocclusions) can occur for a number of reasons; such as: thumb-sucking, genetic influences, allergies and breathing habits.

 

10. What causes a cavity?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. My child eats healthy foods, without sugar, so why do they have cavities?

Even nutritious foods contain surprising amounts of natural sugars which are just as damaging to young mouths as sugar-added treats, pop and sports drinks. Take care of your teeth after eating because sugar hides in plain sight. Below are some examples!

 

Kid Stuff

Cheese Whiz 2g per 30g serving (2 tbsp)

Kraft chunky peanut butter 1g per 15g (1 tbsp)

Honey 16g per 15g (1 tbsp)

Heinz ketchup 4g per 15g (1 tbsp)

Classico pasta sauce 6g per 125mL

 

LOW Sugar content foods, Sugar content in grams/ 100 gram food

Beans, baked, canned, with franks 6.5

Bread, whole-wheat, commercially prepared, toasted 6.3

Rolls, hamburger or hotdog, plain 6.3

Watermelon, raw 6.2

Miso 6.2

Bread, raisin, toasted, enriched 6.2

Bread, wheat 6.0

Papayas, raw 5.9

Sweet potato, cooked, boiled, without skin5.7

Milk, nonfat, fluid, with added vitamin A (fat free or skim) 5.1

Milk, reduced fat, fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin A 5.1

Bagels, plain, enriched, with calcium propionate 5.1

Waffles, plain, frozen, ready -to-heat, toasted 5.0

Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes,  plain 5.0

Snacks, potato chips, made from dried potatoes, plain 5.0

Blackberries, raw 4.9

Tomato products, canned, puree, without salt added 4.8

Peas, edible-podded, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt 4.8

Parsnips, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt 4.8

Carrots, baby, raw4.8

Chickpeas, cooked, boiled, without salt 4.8

Nuts, almonds 4.8

Milk, buttermilk, fluid, cultured, lowfat 4.8

Strawberries, raw 4.7

Yogurt, plain, whole milk, 8 grams protein per 8 ounce 4.7

Nuts, mixed nuts, dry roasted, with peanuts, with salt added 4.7

Peas, green, frozen, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt 4.7

Carrots, raw 4.5

Onions, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt 4.5

Bologna, beef and pork 4.4

Raspberries, raw 4.4

Peppers, sweet, red, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt 4.4

Peanuts, all types, dry-roasted 4.2

Peas, green, canned, regular pack, drained solids 4.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adapted from:

Adapted from: FDA MedWatch and http://www.dentalcaretoday.net/index.asp?f=childdentaltips

and

healthyteeth.org