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Preventing Cavities in Toddlers
Keeping Your Toddler's Teeth Cavity Free
By Laura Cone
Children should not floss until they are 3 years of age, although they may begin brushing at about age 2 with a tiny tooth brush. By age 3 children should have an established routine of brushing their teeth after breakfast and before bedtime. Also, Dr. Bagdade suggests encouraging toddlers to swoosh water around in their mouths and spit it out after every meal or snack.
Before taking a toddler to see the dentist, talk about the differences between the doctor and dentist. Most toddlers are like Vest's daughter and associate doctors with shots. And try not to overload them with too much information and remain upbeat, Dr. Bagdade says. He encourages parents to stay in the room for their toddler's dentist appointments.
Dr. James Bennett with the South Florida Dentistry for Children and Orthodontics in Coral Springs, Fla., says it's important to make an appointment for your child's first oral examination six months after the eruption of the first primary tooth or by age 1.
Dr. Bennett, who has 2 1/2-year-old fraternal twins who both love brushing their teeth, says it's important to establish a "dental home" for your child just as a parent would with a pediatrician. He says the dentist will go over toothbrush techniques with you and your child to prevent cavities.
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It's important to take care of cavities because primary teeth are important – they hold space for permanent teeth to erupt, according to Dr. Bennett. "Early tooth loss has been shown to contribute to impaired speech development, requent absences from school and low self-esteem, and the need for orthodontics when older," he says. "Again, as in the checkup appointment, we show, tell and do for this visit using kid-friendly terms."