Pediatric Dental Health

A healthy mouth and teeth are an important part of a child’s overall wellness. Proper care instills important habits that can last a lifetime.

Baby teeth are important! Tooth decay can develop as soon as the first tooth appears. It is important to care for baby teeth because they act as placeholders for adult teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, the teeth that remain may move and not leave room for the permanent teeth to come in. Dental disease in pre-school aged children can also lead to problems of speech development and teasing by other children. Even babies mouths can develop a buildup of damaging bacteria along the gum lines. This can be prevented by wiping the gums with a soft damp cloth after feedings.

The best way to protect your child’s teeth is to teach them good dental habits. With proper coaching, your child will quickly adopt good oral hygiene as part of their daily routine. Start with parental tooth/gum brushing and allow your child to take over this responsibility over time. Parents should also monitor their child’s brushing as early efforts will require some assistance and supervision as kids like to brush the teeth they see and not the “hidden ones” on the sides.

The number one problem among pre-school children is dental decay. Approximately one in ten children have dental cavities by age two, one third of children have cavities by age three and one half of children have cavities by age five. To decrease the chance that your child will develop cavities, teeth should be brushed at least twice a day with a soft bristled toothbrush. Frequent brushing does not allow the buildup of plaque and cavity causing bacteria and will lead to better overall oral health. The condition of your children’s oral dental health should be assessed by your pediatrician on each of your child’s well visits. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association agree that a child should see a pediatric dentist at one year of age.

Here are a few “Golden Rules” for cavity-free kids:

• Take care of your child’s gums and teeth on a daily basis. Once the child is old enough to “do it by herself,” continue monitoring daily habits and self-care.
• Be selective about any type of beverage you put in your child’s bottle or sippy cup besides water. Remember, dentists often refer to juice and soda as “liquid candy.”
• Keep bottles and sippy cups away from your child’s naptime and nighttime slumbers. Liquids stick to teeth because the mouth is drier during sleep.
• Reward children with hugs, stickers, and toys instead of desserts and candy. Sugary foods leave behind a sticky coating that converts to harmful bacteria and enamel-eating acid. If you feel compelled to give your child an occasional sweet, choose one that melts rapidly instead of gummy candy.
• Serve up calcium-rich foods such as yogurt, cheese, and milk, along with plenty of vitamin-heavy vegetables to help your child maintain strong, healthy teeth. Build good habits early by giving your child healthy treats in place of sweets at snack time.
• Talk to your child’s pediatrician or dentist about the appropriate amount of fluoride your child needs.

I hope everyone had a fun and healthy summer and an easy transition back into school.

Dr. Doug

If you have questions or would like to make a suggestion for a future topic, please send an email to DrCampbell@learningcaregroup.com.

Dr. James Douglas Campbell, MD, FAAP, MHA, LLC, is a pediatric health professional who advises Tutor Time on the needs of our program as a whole, and provides consultation and technical assistance on child health issues. Dr. Campbell received his Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Florida and a Masters of Health Administration from the University of North Florida College of Health. He is Board Certified with the American Board of Pediatrics and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has been taking care of children in Jacksonville, Florida since 1981.