Prevention
Oral Hygiene Instruction
Though we would love to see our patients more often, the majority of care for your child’s oral health is done at home.
Brushing properly twice a day with a measured dose of fluoridated toothpaste, flossing once a day, and possibly using mouthwash (age appropriate) are the foundation for a happy healthy mouth.
Teaching our patients good habits will help them long into their future. Remember cavities/decay is a completely preventable process. Gingivitis is the most common disease process. Let’s work together to help your child have happy healthy mouths.
Medications
A lot of children's medications can have quite a bit of sugar in them (a personal favorite of Dr. Kwak’s is grape Tylenol-without any dye). Make sure to help rinse out your child’s mouth to prevent decay from medications.
Other medications such as certain asthma medications can cause unwanted oral effects, including fungal infections or dry mouth.
Utilizing water to rinse out the medications and hydrate is a great way to reduce the effects of the medications on your child’s oral health.
Teething
Teething can be a difficult time for the whole family. Your child can go through a lot of issues like discomfort, drooling, diarrhea, low grade fever, diaper rash, and general irritability. We know when our little ones get irritable than it can be tough on us as parents.
Try to use cold teething toys that can soothe your child as they gnaw away. Use Tylenol measured to their body weight as a means of decreasing their discomfort.
Never use Orajel for your little ones because of the potential for toxicity. It provides little to no relief and is very temporary.
Oral Habits
Sucking fingers or thumb and pacifiers–there’s a time and a place to help your child overcome these habits. We call them non-nutritive habits.
Try to wean your child off of these habits early on so they do not become prolonged. Some of these habits that persist past 3 years old can cause unfavorable positioning of your child’s teeth, permanent skeletal changes, and/or cross-bite.
If this problem persists past that point, then certain interventions can be done with a plan with Dr. Kwak.
