Ask the Doctor

How do I know if my child is getting the appropriate amount of fluoride in their diet?

If you do not reside in a community that has fluoridated water or have the appropriate amount of natural fluoride in your well water, your child will need some sort of supplement in their diet. We can help you determine how much of a supplement your child needs based upon their weight, age, current water fluoride level, and brand of toothpaste.

What is an appropriate diet for my child?

It is important that your child receives a naturally-balanced diet that includes the important nutrients your child needs in order to grow. A daily diet should include the major food groups of meat/fish/eggs, vegetable/fruit, bread/cereal as well as milk and other dairy products.

Can my child’s diet affect their dental health?

Absolutely. It is important that you initiate a balanced diet for your child so that their teeth develop appropriately. In addition, this will positively affect healthy gum tissue surrounding the teeth. Please note that a diet high in sugar and other forms of carbohydrates may increase the probability of tooth decay.

How do I create a diet that is safe for my child’s teeth?

As we stated earlier, initiate a balanced diet. Analyze the frequency in which starch-based foods are eaten. These types of foods include breads, pasta, potato chips, etc. In addition, sugar is found in more than just candy. All types of sugars can promote tooth decay. For example, most milk-based products contain sugar. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a favorite for bagged lunches. Unfortunately, it includes sugar not only in the jelly, but also in the peanut butter. For less sugar and more flavor and nutrients, try replacing jelly with fresh fruit slices (apples, pears, or bananas) or chopped dried fruit. Go easy on the peanut butter, though it is high in fat. Choose the no-salt-added kind for less sodium.

Should I eliminate all sugar and starch from my child’s diet?

Of course not. Many of these foods are incredibly important to your child’s health. Starch-based foods are much safer to eat for teeth when eaten with an entire meal. Foods that stick to teeth are also more difficult to wash away by water, saliva, or other drinks. It is important that you talk to our staff about your child’s diet and to maintain proper dental care.

What helpful information can you give me regarding tooth decay in infants?

Most importantly, do not nurse your children to sleep. Do not put them to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula. When a child is sleeping, any liquid that remains in the mouth can support the bacteria that produce acid and harm the teeth. A simple pacifier or bottle of water is fine.

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

Contact our office as soon as possible.

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

Rinse the knocked out tooth in cool water. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze. If you cannot put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a container of milk, or water if milk is not available.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?

Contact our office as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. Our goal is to save the tooth and prevent infection. Rinse the mouth out with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, it may be bonded back to the tooth.

What do I do if my child has a toothache?

Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. To help comfort your child, rinse out the mouth with cold water and apply a compress.

How can we prevent dental injuries?

Sport-related dental injuries can be reduced or prevented by wearing mouth guards. Childproofing your home can help reduce injuries at home. In addition, regular dental checkups contribute to preventative care.

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

Contact our office as soon as possible.

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

Rinse the knocked out tooth in cool water. Do not scrub the tooth. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with clean gauze. If you cannot put the tooth back into the socket, place the tooth in a container of milk, or water if milk is not available.

What should I do if my child’s tooth is fractured or chipped?

Contact our office as soon as possible. Time is of the essence. Our goal is to save the tooth and prevent infection. Rinse the mouth out with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, it may be bonded back to the tooth.

What do I do if my child has a toothache?

Call our office immediately to schedule an appointment. To help comfort your child, rinse out the mouth with cold water and apply a compress.

How can we prevent dental injuries?

Sport-related dental injuries can be reduced or prevented by wearing mouth guards. Childproofing your home can help reduce injuries at home. In addition, regular dental checkups contribute to preventative care.

What is a gummy smile?

When some children smile, they may show an excessive amount of gum tissue. This is referred to as a gummy smile and may be due to gum irritation and overgrowth from braces, altered passive eruption, habits such as digit sucking or grinding, or skeletal developmental issues.

What is a mouth guard?

A mouth guard is made of soft plastic and comes in standard or custom-fitted versions designed to comfortably fit over the upper teeth.

Why is a mouth guard important?

A mouth guard protects the teeth from sports-related injuries. It also protects the lips, cheeks, tongue, and jaw bone. It can help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries such as concussions. Many injuries to the mouth and head occur when a child is not wearing a mouth guard.

When should my child wear a mouth guard?

A mouth guard should be worn during any sport or activity where there is risk of head, face, or neck injury, including hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, skating, or skateboarding.

How do I choose a mouth guard for my child?

Choose a mouth guard that feels comfortable. If it feels bulky or interferes with speech, it is likely not appropriate. There are multiple options that vary in comfort, protection, and cost. Custom mouth guards provided by a dental office may be more expensive but typically offer greater comfort and shock absorption.