Did you know that Good Oral Health Begins at Birth?
HELPFUL INFANT TIPS
Even before your baby's teeth show, you should clean the gums with a damp cloth after meals and at bedtime.
Your dentist can teach you how to clean your baby's gums and teeth.
Once teeth show, you should clean them with a soft-bristled toothbrush (without toothpaste) after meals and at bedtime
It is good to wean your child from a bottle between 9 and 12 months of age.
HELPFUL SLEEPING TIPS FOR BABY
Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice or formula. If absolutely necessary place WATER ONLY in bottle.
BABY TEETH ARE IMPORTANT!!!
The good habit of brushing baby teeth will start a good habit for the adult teeth.
Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth to grow into.
Baby teeth allow kids to eat right and sleep with ease.
Baby teeth also help kids speak clearly.
Healthy teeth help kids do better in school because they are not in pain.
Children with healthy baby teeth feel good about themselves.
FLUORIDE
Why is fluoride needed?
Teeth are covered with a sticky film of germs, called plaque. Plaque uses food we eat to make acids that cause cavities. Fluoride fights the acid that cause cavities by making teeth stronger. Even before teeth come in, fluoride water can make teeth stronger. After teeth come in, fluoride treatments, fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste protect against cavities.
How can my child get fluoride?
Drink Fluoridated water.
Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste. ( a pea-size amount is all that is needed)
See Dr. Taylor, Dr. Tabor and Dr. Ham every six months for fluoride treatments.
SEAL OUT DECAY
What is a sealant?
A sealant is a tiny plastic coating that is placed on the chewing surface of the back permanent teeth. Sealants keep food and bacteria away from the grooves of these teeth. Sealants will protect teeth from plaque and acids. Plaque can change the sugar and the starch from food into harmful acids that attack the teeth and cause cavities. Sealants protect the grooves of the back teeth by sealing out plaque, food and acids.
Who should get sealants?
All children should have sealants placed on their back teeth as soon as the permanent tooth FULLY erupts. Sealants can only be placed on teeth that have no cavities. That is why it is important to take your child to the dentist every 6 months so that the sealants can be checked and applied. In a lifetime you have the possibility of sealing a total of 20 permanent teeth.
How are sealants put onto teeth?
Sealants are easy to apply and it only takes a few minutes. After cleaning the tooth, the sealant is painted onto the grooves of the back teeth and it hardens. Sometimes a special light is used to help harden the sealant. This procedure is very easy and painless.
Bill Taylor, DDS, MS
Mary Beth Tabor, DDS
Katie Ham, DDS
131 Indian Lake Road
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 824-1700
smile@just4kidsteeth.com
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