Caring for Permanent Teeth:

It is so exciting when your children’s first teeth are loose and their permanent teeth begin to come in. Dr. Lee recommends these six tips to care for your child’s permanent teeth.

·      Parents should continue to help the children, 6-8 years old, brush their teeth twice a day until they can show that they can do a good job on their own.

·      Use a soft toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste

·      Teach the child to spit out the foamy saliva

·      Begin flossing the child’s teeth daily as soon as any teeth are touching each other

·      Talk to the dentist about the child to make sure they are getting the right amount of fluoride

·      Sealants

Permanent teeth can last a lifetime if your child takes care of them. From the beginning of the first permanent tooth coming in to the last, it is critical to have your child take care of their teeth.  For more information contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team.

Children’s Smile and Dental Care

Your children’s smile brings you joy.  The best way to keep your child’s smile healthy is to begin dental care early in life. Teaching good habits of brushing and flossing of their teeth early in life keeps teeth healthy.  Healthy teeth help your children chew and enjoy food, help build self-esteem and create healthy smiles!

Begin Dental Care Early in Life

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends parents take children to a dentist no later than their first birthday.   Parents can start to provide dental care for their babies, toddlers and older children at home:

·      Begin cleaning the baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean washcloth

·      Baby’s front four teeth erupt at about 6 months of age (some children have their first tooth at 12-14 months); 

·      Brush twice daily with an infant toothbrush

·      Floss daily when baby teeth touch each other

·      For children younger than 3 years old, use only a “smear” of fluoridated toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) on the bristles of toothbrush; brush 2x daily.  Parents continue the supervision and remind the child not to swallow the toothpaste

·      For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and brush 2x daily.  Parents continue the supervision and remind the child not to swallow the toothpaste

·      After age 6, continue to brush and floss the children’s teeth daily until parents are comfortable that the child can brush on his or her own

                              Contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today for more information. 

Why Does Nutrition Affect Oral Health?

Nutrition is critical to the overall health of your mouth. The food you consume everyday is a vital element to your smile. Dr. Anna Lee, recommends consuming healthy foods to help keep your smile in tip-top shape.

A poor diet can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.  Researchers believe that tooth decay progresses faster and is more prevalent in people with poor nutrition.  Foods high in carbohydrates, sugars and starches contribute to the production of plaque acids that attack the tooth enamel. These acids cause tooth enamel to break down and cause tooth decay.

Contact Dr. Anna Lee & her team today for more information.