Prevention

When should I schedule my child's first trip to the dentist? Should my 3-year-old be flossing? How do I know if my child needs braces?
Baby teeth can get cavities and young children can develop dental infections. Baby tooth decay is a serious, infectious and transmissible disease that can spread quickly and lead to infection without proper precautions. The good news is early childhood caries (cavities) are preventable. Have a look at our tips below to assist you in prevention. .

Diet

What your child eats affects his/her teeth – a diet rich in carbohydrates, sugar, and starches can potentially result in tooth decay. Healthy food choices include vegetables and cheeses for snack time and sticky, chewy foods like dried fruits should be avoided. Sugary snacks, juices or soda should be avoided and, if consumed at all, limited to meal times. The dietary choices have a great impact on the health of your child’s teeth

Brushing is key in maintaining healthy teeth – not only does it remove remnants of food, but dental plaque as well. Dental plaque is comprised of bacteria and metabolic waste products. The bacteria multiply rapidly and form a sticky mass that adhere to the teeth and produce aggressive acid. This acid attacks the enamel and initiates the decaying process. We highly recommend:

  • Brushing at least twice a day – after breakfast and before bedtime
  • Brushing all the teeth, not just the front ones and spend at least 2 or 3 minutes brushing using age appropriate fluoride toothpaste.
  • Visit us in order to tailor your brushing techniques to your child’s particular needs

    • Fluoride is a soft colourful mineral and a natural constituent of many food sources, drinking water and even seawater. Your local water supplier will be able to tell you how much fluoride is in your drinking water. The most effective concentration is thought to be one part of fluoride for every million parts of water (1ppm). Scientists have studied the effects of fluoride exposure in great detail and the universally accepted overall conclusion is that a correctly dosed level of fluoride is not harmful but significantly benefits dental health and helps reduce dental decay. Although safe and even healthy at low concentrations, the sustained consumption of large amounts of soluble fluoride salts is dangerous. Children may experience gastrointestinal distress upon ingesting excessive amounts of flavoured toothpaste. Therefore we recommend that you always supervise your child's tooth brushing habits up to the age of seven and only use a small amount of the relevant age‐specified children's toothpaste. Evidence suggests that the caries reducing effect of fluoride is mostly exerted by its topical effect. The amount of fluoride in toothpaste (1000-1450ppm depending on the age of the child) is sufficient to significantly reduce the risk of decay. Nevertheless if your child is already suffering from tooth decay or shows increased risk for it, then your dentist or hygienist can apply fluoride gel to your child’s teeth. These gels are concentrated and therefore additional self‐applied fluoride sources (like fluoride tablets, drops or salt) are usually not required. At Pe’Teeth Dental Studio we perform an individual risk assessment and will inform you how much and what type of fluoride is best for your child.

    Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of the teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and insufficient or irregular cleaning of the teeth. Tooth decay is among the world's most common health problems. Decay can be symptom free and may only be identified by your dentist during a routine examination. If decay is already visible in the mouth and your child is experiencing pain, then the decay has likely reached deeper levels and your child should see the dentist immediately.

    The technical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. It is a common habit for babies to initially grind their teeth, typically while they are asleep. However, if your child still grinds during the night at the age of five or older we recommend to see your dentist. Bruxism can be triggered by several factors such as a misaligned bite, or as a subconscious pain relief originating from the teeth or ears. Frequently bruxism is caused by stress such as changes in the domestic environment or school related problems. A relaxed calm evening routine and discussing daily problems with your child can help to reduce the grinding in these cases. In general, bruxism should stop during puberty, if not then further investigations may be required or a night guard is needed to prevent teeth from getting worn down.

    Interproximal caries are those cavities that form in the areas where adjacent teeth are touching. These interproximal spaces are too narrow for the toothbrush and create a trap where bacteria can hide. To prevent the development of interproximal caries, it is important to start flossing when you notice that your child had adjacent teeth that are touching. Our team is always on hand to assist and guide, and will happily teach parents and children how to use dental floss properly.

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