Basic Oral Health Care 101

How often should my child see the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see the dentist at least two times a year.

Tips for good oral health

• Brush 2x day with a Fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss 1x day.

• Avoid frequent snacking (especially sugary or starchy foods).

• Limit sugary drinks (juice, soda, Gatorade, etc).

• Have regular dental checkups.

What is a healthy diet?

A healthy balanced diet should includes food from the following:

Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Meat & Beans, Milk.

Dr. Webb and Dr. Cole's Healthy Teeth Tips

• Try to avoid going to bed with milk/juice/formula/sweetened drink.

• Try to only put water in your child's sippy cup.

• It is better to have a sugary/starchy snack or drink with a meal rather than between meals.

• You can still use Fluoride toothpaste before your child can spit it out but only use a smear (or grain of rice size amount). Once your child can spit out the toothpaste switch to a peasized amount.

• Prolonged sucking habits (thumb, pacifier, etc) can cause longterm effects on teeth. If not stopped by age 3, intervention may be necessary.

Dental Emergencies

What do I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?

Call your pediatric dentist. Do NOT try to put the tooth back in.

What do I do if my child's permanent tooth is knocked out?

Find the tooth and gently rinse with water (no soap!). If you are able, hold the tooth by the crown (not the root) and place back into the socket immediately. If unable to replant tooth, place it in a clean container containing milk (if milk is unavailable then place in saliva). Call pediatric dentist to be seen immediately (if after hours, call your dentist emergency number or go to emergency room).

What if my child chips or fractures their tooth?

Call your pediatric dentist. Cold compress can help reduce swelling if the lip was also injured.

How can I prevent trauma to my child's teeth?

Wear appropriate protective gear (helmets, mouth guards) during sports. Also use car seats for young children and seat belts for everyone else in car. Childproof your home for falls and electrical injuries.