FAMILY DENTISTRY by Dr. Dana Coman

(519) 824-8000 Guelph, Ontario

July 2008 A real story: Yesterday I had a little 4 year old for his first dental visit. I know his parents for a few years and I know they take good care of him. His mother brushes his teeth twice a day and yet he has a cavity and several areas of demineralization along the gingival line. The latest recommendation is to have the first dental visit after your baby gets his very first tooth in. The reason for this visit is to allow the dentist to take a quick peek at the tooth and to spend some time with you, the parent, talking about the do’s and don’ts. Even before the baby gets any teeth, wipe the gums with some gauze or a cloth. Around the age of 1 start using the toothbrush and always use the no fluoride toothpaste. For the most stubborn ones, use your imagination-you can brush together or you can sing a song. And don’t give up because persistence is the key. Don’t give the baby a bottle of milk in bed. The sugars in milk will stick to the teeth and the germs in the mouth will have a party. The result is acid that is going to decay the teeth. The other trick to prevent cavities has to do with the frequency of milk intake. When the baby is hungry give him the bottle and after he is full take it away. You don’t want him to keep sipping on the milk because it doesn’t give the mouth time to take a break. At night you always give him the bottle, then you brush his teeth and then you put the baby to bed. Same applies to snacks and juice. Frequent snacking leads to a build up of sugar. Eating a full meal stimulates saliva which helps neutralize the acids. If you serve juice always give it at the end of a meal rather than in between. You want to restrict the intake of juice to one glass a day. Everybody likes chocolate. You don’t have to deprive your child from tasting it, but use moderation. The latest research shows that mothers with neglected teeth give birth to children that are at risk of developing cavities because the germs from the mother are transmitted to the baby. Cavities are preventable. You can always call our office and book an initial free of charge consultation for you or your child.

Copyright 2006-2008 Dr. Dana Coman, DMD