When should I start flossing my child's teeth?

As your child grows, you may notice that the spaces between their teeth get smaller and that their teeth start touching each other forming very tight contacts.  Not only is this the time when kids get most of their cavities, but it is also the time to introduce flossing to your child.

 

Remember, brushing only removes the plaque on the tops and sides of your child's teeth, not in between!

 

Which Toothpaste to use?

We always recommend toothpastes that contain fluoride.

 

Using small amounts of fluoride (pea size) on a routine basis helps prevent tooth decay as much as 60%.  Don't worry about your child swallowing the toothpaste. The key is the amount of toothpaste used during each brushing. More is NOT better.

 

What is the best way to check or brush my kids teeth?

You should sit on your bed and have your child lie on their back with their head on your lap. This will give you the best angle to see your child's teeth and brush them. Have fun with it and create a game so that your kids look forward to it.

 

My child grinds his/her teeth. what should I do?

Bruxism is the clinical term for teeth grinding and it is often viewed as simply an annoying and harmless habit. Therefore, the majority of cases of pediatric bruxism do not require any treatment.  

The good news is most children outgrow bruxism.  The grinding decreases between the ages 6-9 and children tend to stop grinding between ages 9-12 once they lose all of their baby teeth. 
 

In the rare circumstance that the habit persists into their teen years or if excessive wear of the teeth is present, a night guard may be indicated.