Download Baby Teeth: The 411

Baby Teeth: Get the 411
Myth or Fact?
 Dental disease is the number one chronic illness in
children?
FACT!
Baby teeth ARE important
 They help the baby:
 1) Eat well and grow strong
 2) Learn to speak clearly
 3) Help permanent teeth come in straight
 4) They can transmit cavities to permanent teeth if not treated
Infants
 Dental disease can cause infants pain
 But they don’t have the ability to tell you how much pain they
are in
 Dental disease can affect:
 Sleep
 Playfulness
 Ability to develop good language skills
When should your child get their first dental
screening?
 By the age of 1
 The dental screening can be performed by either a
pediatrician or a dentist
Myth or Fact?
 Can you give your child dental caries by kissing
them?
FACT!
Tooth decay is an infectious disease (practice good oral
hygiene to prevent the spread)
Main cause of dental caries (cavities)
 Cause:
 Bacteria
 Reasons:
 1) Inherits bacteria from parents (kissing)
 2) Bottles and nursing
 3) Sugary foods
Nutrition
 How a baby eats affects whether or not they develop
dental caries
Unhealthy snacks:
 Crackers
 Chips
 Cereal
 Candy
 Cookies
 Juice
Healthy snacks:
 Peas
 Carrots
 Bananas
 Pears
 Apples
Should you clean your baby’s mouth if they do
not have any teeth?
YES!
 You can use:

Damp washcloth
 Finger brush
How many times a day should you brush your
child’s teeth?
 A) 1
 B) 2
 C) 3
 D) 4
 Answer:
B (2 times a day!)
(Brush your child’s teeth once in the morning and once at
night)
How much toothpaste should your child use?
 A) Rice sized amount
 B) Pea sized amount
 C) Marble sized amount
 Answer:
A, rice sized amount (A
child over the age of 2 should use a rice sized amount
of fluoride toothpaste)
Tooth brushing demonstration
 Main points:
 1) Brush for 1 minute on the bottom

2) Bush for 1 minute on the top

3) Use small circular motions to brush
Promoting oral hygiene at home
 Break into small groups of three or four
 Share ideas about how to promote good oral habits
and get your kids excited about taking care of their
teeth
 Allow each person in the group to come up with at
least one idea
 Vote on one idea to share with the rest of the group
Promoting oral hygiene
 Light up toothbrush
 Wild Flossers Dental Floss
 Gold star chart
Checking your child’s mouth for signs of decay
 “Lift the Lip” technique
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRodm0Zxvfw&
playnext=1&list=PLA3376CEB4F2182E4
What to look for when performing “Lift the Lip”
 1) Check your child’s gums and look for signs of
swelling or redness
 2)White spots on the teeth= Early signs of decay
 3) Brown spots= Signs of further decay
Fluoride Varnish
 What is fluoride varnish?
 Used to treat early signs of oral disease
 Varnish helps inhibit the progression of disease and
may help reverse the early cavities themselves
 Can be applied in a doctors clinic or dental clinic
 Children 12 months and up should have fluoride
varnish applied 2 or 3 times a year
 Ask a dentist or doctor about fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish
Barriers to healthcare
 Issues of eligibility and insurance should not keep
you from taking your child into the dentist
 In WA state you can call your local health
department and they can help you find resources
when you need it
 Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD)
 Links you to a dentist in your area
Whatcom County Health Department
 Whatcom County Health Department
509 Girard Street
Bellingham WA 98225
 Telephone: (360) 676-6724; Fax: (360) 676-7646
 After hours emergency number: (360) 715-2588
 Email: [email protected]
Pop Quiz!
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Dental disease is the number one chronic illness in children? Myth or fact?
Fact
Are baby teeth important? Yes or no?
Yes, because?
When should your child get their first dental screening?
By their 1st birthday
You can give your child dental caries by kissing them? Myth or fact?
Fact
What is the main cause of tooth decay?
Bacteria
Should you clean your baby’s mouth if they do not have teeth? If so, what should you
use?
Yes, use a damp washcloth or a finger brush to clean their gums
How many times a day should you and your child brush your teeth?
2 (once in the morning and once before bed)
How much toothpaste should your child use? Rice, pea, or marble size drop?
Rice
Pop Quiz Continued
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List a few healthy snacks for children
Peas, apples, pears, carrots, bananas, etc
What should you look for when performing the “lift the lip” technique?
Signs of swelling or redness on the gums and white or brown spots on the
teeth
Name two proper brushing techniques
1) Brush for two minutes
2) Use small circular motions when brushing
Name one way to promote oral hygiene at home
Use enthusiasm, model good oral hygiene; use light-up tooth brushes, etc.
At what age should a child first have fluoride varnish applied AND how
often should it be applied?
Age 12 months
Should be applied 2-3 times a year