Guidelines for Good Oral Care
- Every child should have a dental visit by age one.
- Children need their parent's help to care for their teeth usually up to the age of 10.
- Flossing can be difficult and it is important to monitor to determine if they are flossing correctly. Floss sticks may work in some instances, but please be careful as they can loosen fillings.
- In general, foods that are good for your child's teeth are good for their body.
- Do not let your child sleep with milk or juice in their bed/crib/ or bedside.
- Limit foods with corn syrup, chocolate syrup and confectioners sugar.
- Brush within 30 minutes of consumption of these items.
- Brush for 2 minutes 2x/day.
- Spin brushes can be effective with parental supervision.
- Use ACT mouth rinse 1x/day or follow manufacturer recommendations.
- Limit the amount of fluoride toothpaste to the size of a grain of rice for children under age 3 and use a "pea-size" for children 3-6 years old.
- Avoid drinking juice, milk, Gatorade and other sugared drinks frequently throughout the day.
- Cavities in baby teeth usually need to have fillings in order to avoid infection and pain in the future. We are relatively conservative and look at the overall history and age of the child before deciding on treatment.
- If you traumatize a tooth please call the dentist as soon as possible. If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, if possible, place the tooth back into the socket. Do not wash off the tooth in water—swish it in milk or spit if there is dirt on it. If unable to place the tooth back into the socket, place it in milk or spit and bring it to the dentist immediately (within 1 hour).
- Visit the dentist every 6 months for a proper cleaning and exam.
- Try to stay positive about the dentist despite any negative experiences you may have had as a child. We really try our best to be gentle and relaxed about care. Children often pick up on little comments here and there that can make them more worried than usual.
- Smiles are the best! Let's keep them that way
Fluoride Use
Additional Links
Fluoride is an important mineral responsible for strengthening enamel of developing teeth. There are many towns in MA that have opted not to fluoridate their water. See below for a list of towns in the surrounding areas of Duxbury Children's Dentistry. Our patients come from all over the state and sometimes from out of state so if your town is not listed please contact us. Fluoride is dosed based on age and usually is prescribed after one year of age. If you have well water you should have it tested with the town to determine the naturally occurring fluoride levels. Do not let your child eat toothpaste as a replacement for fluoride supplementation as this can cause fluorosis (staining) of the permanent teeth when they come in.
Limit the amount of fluoride toothpaste to the size of a grain of rice for children under age 3 and to the size of a pea for children 3-6 years old.
Fluoridated Towns:
Duxbury
Pembroke
Boston
Hull
Scituate
Taunton
Cohasset
Non-fluoridated towns:
Plymouth
Kingston
Wareham
Bourne
Marshfield
Whitman
Hanson
Norwell
Abington
Hanover
If your town is not in either list please ask one of the dental professionals at the office if a fluoride prescription is needed.
Additional Links
Additional Links
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. John's Candies
Information on xylitol candies and herbal anti-cavity lollipops
Crest - Cavity Protection for Babies
Information on good oral habits for kids
https://www.massdental.org/Public/Oral-Health-Topics/Soft-Drinks-and-Tooth-Decay
Information on the impact of sugar sweetened beverages
PBS Video & Activity: Visiting the Dentist
PBS Video & Activity: Visiting the Dentist
* Activity
In this activity, children will demonstrate different ways to keep their teeth healthy.
For the following lesson you will need:
- Cardboard egg cartons (one for every two children plus one demonstration carton). Be sure to sanitize the cartons before use.
- Toothbrushes (one for every two children plus one demonstration brush)
- Cut pieces of dental floss or string for every two children plus demonstration floss
Vocabulary: brushing, flossing, checkup, dentist, dental hygienist
Step-by-Step Procedure:
- Watch Visiting the Dentist and then discuss the questions provided or your own.
- Divide children into pairs and give each pair an egg carton, toothbrush, and dental floss.
- Turn your demonstration carton upside down and tell the children that the carton is pretend teeth.
- Demonstrate the proper way to brush and floss using the demonstration toothbrush and floss.
- Have the children take turns practicing brushing and flossing with their partners.
- Make the materials available during center play.
*PBS WGBH EveryDay Learning
