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Pediatrics - March '08

Healthy teeth
from the start

Michael Nedley, DDS

Between sodas, sweetened cereals and sugary snacks, children’s teeth can take quite a beating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of children have experienced tooth decay by age 11. Thankfully, cavities and other dental ailments are mostly preventable. “No child is too young to learn proper oral health,” says Michael Nedley, DDS, pediatric dentist at The University of Toledo Medical Center. “The tools they learn will be with them for a lifetime.”

Cavities
“When you mix bacteria in the mouth, carbohydrates and teeth with the appropriate concentrations, you’re going to get a cavity,” Dr. Nedley says. “With cavities, the younger the population, the harder the problem is to treat.” An untreated cavity can lead to pain, abscess formation and even cellutitis, a potentially serious bacterial infection. For children younger than 6 years old, untreated cavities can cause crowding later in life. “If you lose baby teeth from cavities before normal loss time, you are going to have a drifting of permanent teeth that can cause orthodontic crowding.”

Early Childhood Caries (ECC)
Early Childhood Caries are bacteria that decay a child’s teeth, particularly the upper and lower cutting teeth (incisors). Sometimes referred to as “Baby-Bottle Mouth,” it can be triggered by improper bottle and sippy cup use, such as sending an infant to bed with a bottle, which keeps the sugar in their mouth all night. Sugary drinks and snacks also add to decay. Unfortunately, if parents have dental caries, they can pass them to their children by kissing and sharing utensils. “At this point, we’re not just filling holes. There’s an infectious process going on,” says Dr. Nedley. After age 8, children with ECCs can use oral rinses. But for younger children and toddlers, regular brushing and flossing are safer.

Prevention
“Research shows that kids who see a dentist are more likely to have preventive strategies in place, compared with kids who don’t have access to care,” Dr. Nedley says. Nevertheless, all children can practice proper oral hygiene techniques to avoid problems in the future. UT Medical Center recommends:

• Flossing in an upward motion at least once per day to remove plaque buildup.
• Applying a pea-sized amount of low-dose fluoride toothpaste to strengthen teeth.
• Using professional fluoride (consult a dentist for the correct dosage).
• Brushing teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth comes in. For children whose teeth haven’t come through, parents can cleanse the mouth with gauze or a dental wipe.
• Eliminating sugary liquids such as sports drinks, juices and soda, which can corrode teeth.
• Eating fresh vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli, which also clean teeth as they are chewed.
• Drinking milk which provides teeth with calcium, making them stronger.
• Starting to take children to the dentist after their first birthday and every six months thereafter.

It’s never too early for children to learn good oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing with your children is the first step in teaching them proper care. “Tooth ailments are largely preventable, and we have the power to change their outcome,” says Dr. Nedley.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a university-quality pediatrician, call 877-451-2299.