A polish on your child’s teeth is beneficial to ensure removal of cumulative biofilms, prevent cavities, and promote gum health. An early positive cleaning routine can also help your child familiarise with dental tools and reduce dental anxiety.
Radiographs, or dental X-rays, are indicated at a young age as a baseline to ensure the health of baby teeth AND observe the developing adult teeth! Once we have a baseline x-rays, the frequency of repeating the X-rays will vary among individuals. High cavity risk children may need X-rays every 6 months to monitor conditions. Moderate cavity risk children may receive X-rays every 6 to 12 months. Low cavity risk children may receive X-ray every 12 – 24 months. Your child’s dental care will be customised here at Kiddo Smile Pediatric Dentistry.
Fluoride helps bring the minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, back to the tooth surface. It repairs the parts of our teeth that wear down from daily exposure to bacteria and acidity. Fluoride can stabilise enamel and keep our teeth strong! At our clinic, we recommend fluoride varnish at each recall visit.
Fluoride is a common mineral that occurs naturally, but our daily exposure generally isn’t high enough to prevent tooth decay (most cities add Fluoride to the water supply, but not in Vancouver). If you follow the guidelines for the quantity of toothpaste appropriate for your child’s age, the level of fluoride topical effect is perfectly safe and protects them against cavities!
Optimal fluoride water fluoridation is at 0.7 ppm (0.7mg per 1 litre water). Vancouver does not have fluoridated water. If you live in a fluoridated community, please note some infant formula may contain fluoride from 0.1 – 0.3 ppm. You may want to mix those formulas with non-fluoridated water (such as bottle water) pending on your child’s weight and amount of formula intake.
Fluoride mouthwash can facilitate gum health and reduce cavity risk. It comes in different concentrations. Typically 0.05% sodium fluoride is for daily use, and 0.2% is weekly. The 0.2% product needs prescription in the US but not here in Canada. Read the label and follow instructions carefully. If indicated, we recommend only using mouthwash when your child can consistently spit well. Select the alcohol free ones for children!
For teeth that are deeply impacted by pitting and grooves, sealants are the ideal solution. We can apply a protective sealant to the grooves of the teeth to avoid further food impaction and prevent decay from occurring. Prevention beats cure every time!
Healthy food items are also made of molecules that can be used by the bacteria that causes cavities. For example, rice is made of glucose, and many fresh fruits contain natural sugar. The cause for cavity formation is multifactorial. Having a healthy diet certainly lowers your child’s cavity risk; however, other healthy oral habits (brushing & flossing) are important to go with a healthy diet to truly prevent cavities.
Each time we have food intake, the pH in the mouth tends to drop below pH 5.5 (acidic) and then slowly buffer back above neutral (pH 7) by saliva. Bacteria that cause cavities are more active below pH 5.5. Therefore, when we eat more frequently throughout the day, our mouth is more prone to decay.
If suitable for your family, you can start reducing the frequency of using a pacifier at 6 to 12 months old. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends weaning pacifier use by age 3. Remember, not all babies who have a pacifier habit will develop dental or facial changes. Our dentists monitor your child’s growth and development and let you know if there is indication to intervene sooner.
Similar to pacifier use, it is recommended to wean non-nutritive finger sucking by age 3. However, the finger sucking habit is usually harder to break because it’s always available and you can’t take it away! Most children stop between age 2 to 4.
Stay positive through your child’s habit-weaning journey and support with love and patience! Finger habit is harder to break than a pacifier. The key is motivation. Celebrate little success! Start from reducing frequency first.
Dental accidents among young toddlers are very common. Support your child when they are learning how to walk and run! For older children, remember to wear a helmet when biking and consider a mouth guard if playing contact sports. Before your child is done growing, you can consider boil-and-bite over the counter pre-made mouthguard and change it every half a year.
As your dental home, the doctors at Kiddo Smile Pediatric Dentistry are happy to respond to emergency inquiries for our patients! Existing patients are welcome to email us about the accident with description and pictures. Our dentists will provide instructions for care and determine if it is something that needs to be addressed immediately. We also welcome new patients to schedule consultation or emergency visits for your child’s dental accident in the clinic.
Kiddo Smile, a Vancouver-based Pediatric dental clinic, specialises in prioritising your children in their dental journeys. A fun space and motivational team to provide the best experience to keep those little smiles shining big! Among our areas of expertise are prevention, dental laser treatment, cosmetic fillings, sedation dentistry, tongue and lip tie evaluations, special needs program, and more.
* 1 Thursday per month our clinic will be closed to accommodate the 1 open Saturday.
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What does Fluoride do?
Is it safe?
Water fluoridation
Fluoride Toothpaste
Mouthwash
Fluoride supplement