Every February, National Children’s Dental Health Month reminds parents and kids alike about the importance of early pediatric dental care. But healthy habits matter all year, and the ones you build now can protect your child's smile for life.
Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood chronic diseases in the country. According to the CDC, more than half of kids between 6 and 8 have had a cavity in their baby teeth. While a small cavity might not sound like a big deal, left untreated, decay can cause pain and infection and make it harder for kids to eat, sleep, and focus, leading to lower performance and attendance in school.
The good news is that most cavities in kids are preventable, and it doesn't take much. Here are seven simple tips our team at Norge Dental Center shares with Williamsburg parents, from your baby's first tooth through the school years.
Even before your child’s first tooth pokes through, you can start a simple oral care routine. After feedings, gently wipe your baby’s gums once or twice each day with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze. This simple practice only takes a few seconds, but it clears away milk and bacteria and gets your baby used to having their mouth cleaned, which makes brushing much easier later on
Once your baby gets his or her first tooth, start brushing twice a day, morning and before bed, with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. Young children tend to swallow toothpaste, so that tiny amount is all they need to get the cavity-fighting benefit safely. Around age three, increase to a pea-sized amount, and keep helping with brushing until your child is about 7 or 8 and can reach every tooth on their own.
If your baby puts up a fight when you brush, try offering the toothbrush as a bathtime toy. Once it feels familiar, many babies are more willing to let you brush. For toddlers, it can help to brush your teeth side by side, sing a song that lasts about two minutes, or let them take a turn "brushing" before you finish the job.
We love our youngest patients at Norge Dental Center! Pediatric dental experts recommend scheduling your child’s first visit to our office by the time they turn one, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in. That may sound early, but this first checkup lets us spot early signs of decay, see how teeth are coming in, and answer your questions about teething, pacifiers, and fluoride.
For kids’ first trips to the dentist, we offer “Happy Visits.” These low-stress appointments give your child a chance to experience our office in a fun and engaging way. During the appointment, we introduce kids to our friend Douglas, the tooth fairy’s favorite pet monster. He helps kids learn how to take care of their teeth.
One of the easiest ways to prevent cavities is to make sure your kids brush their teeth before bedtime. For children over age three, be sure to use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste, which also helps fight cavities.
Make brushing the last step of your child's bedtime routine, and after that, offer nothing but water until morning. Natural sugars in milk, formula, and juice cling to teeth for hours overnight, feeding the bacteria that cause decay, called baby bottle tooth decay.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel. Kids get fluoride in two main ways: on the surface of their teeth, from toothpaste and in-office fluoride treatments, and from drinking water that contains fluoride.
Ask your doctor before using fluoridated water in your baby’s bottle, as too much fluoride can be harmful. For older children, however, fluoridated water offers a safe amount of the super mineral. Most people in the U.S. already have fluoride in their tap water. To check yours, look up your water system on the CDC's My Water's Fluoride tool, read your utility's annual water quality report, or call your water supplier.
Sugar feeds bad bacteria—the kind that causes cavities. You can help your child avoid tooth decay by limiting sugary foods and encouraging well-rounded eating. Healthy fats, proteins, and vegetables are all great options to promote healthy teeth.
Plus, as any pediatrician will tell you, healthy food benefits more than just your kids’ teeth. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins all provide the building blocks kids need to grow healthy and strong.
At Norge Dental Center, we care for patients of all ages, from first teeth to first braces and beyond, so your whole family can see the same trusted team. Our staff makes visits relaxed and positive for kids, starting with Happy Visits and a hello from Douglas.
We offer routine pediatric dental care to help prevent cavities before they start. Our office is conveniently located in Williamsburg and serves families throughout the area. Book your child's appointment or learn more about our family dentistry.
We hear some version of this pretty regularly at Norge Dental Center. A patient gets settled in the chair and, before we’ve even had a chance to take a look, says, “I’m sorry, I know my teeth are a mess,” or, “Please don’t judge me, I haven’t been to the dentist in years.”Sometimes they laugh when they say it, but we can usually tell they’re genuinely embarrassed. They may have put off making the appointment because of it, and by the time they finally come in, they’ve already imagined all the things we might say about their teeth.Here’s what we wish those patients knew before they ever walked through our doors: you don’t need to apologize to us.
Read MoreIt’s hard to believe it’s already back to school time! Backpacks are packed, lunches are being made, and families are getting back into their school year routines.We know how busy this time of year can be. Between school, homework, sports, activities, and everything else on the calendar, dental care may not always be at the top of the list.At Norge Dental Center, we want to help make keeping your family’s smiles healthy a little easier. Here are a few simple dental tips to keep in mind as everyone heads back to school.
Read MoreBrush and floss regularly but still getting cavities? Learn about dry mouth, snacking, acidic drinks, genetics, grinding, and other hidden cavity risks.
Read MoreWhether you’re new to the Williamsburg area, or new to the Norge Dental family… we welcome you to a new dental experience. We are so thankful you are here.
call (757) 564-0804
