As we gear up for another school year, it’s crucial to prioritize our children’s dental health. At Crested Butte Dental, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help parents ensure their kids maintain healthy smiles throughout the academic year and beyond.

Primary Teeth, more commonly referred to as Baby Teeth, have extremely thin enamel compared to adult teeth. This means that cavities form and grow faster. Something that would take 3-5 years to become a problem in an adult can take as little as 6 months in kids. This is why it is very important to visit the dentist every 6 months starting around age two.

 

Diet: The Foundation of Dental Health

1. Stick to Milk and Water: Avoid juice, soda, and energy drinks. These beverages are high in sugar, offer no nutritional value, and can lead to cavities and addiction with repeated exposure.
2. Limit Sticky Snacks: Gummy fruit snacks, fruit rolls, and dried fruits are high in sugar and can get stuck in teeth, potentially causing cavities.
3. Balance Carbohydrates: Pair simple carbs (crackers, cereal, bread) with protein-rich foods like cheese, milk, or peanut butter. This helps prevent carbs from turning into sugar and sticking to teeth.
4. Schedule Snack Times: Avoid all-day snacking, which creates an acidic environment in the mouth. Instead, have designated snack times. Continuous (under 90min breaks) exposure to food and non-water drinks is a HUGE factor in tooth decay.
5. Check Sugar Content: Aim for no more than 6g of sugar per serving in foods.
6. No Food Before Bed: Avoid giving food or milk (including breastmilk) right before bed (or during the night), especially after brushing.
7. Bottle Habits: Never let your child take a bottle to bed with anything other than water. Pooling milk can cause cavities.
8. Breastfeeding Tip: Ensure your baby doesn’t fall asleep while latched, as breastmilk is high in sugar and can cause cavities if it pools on the teeth.
9. Avoid Sharing Utensils: Don’t share spoons, cups, straws, or food between parent/caregiver and child to prevent the transmission of cavity-causing bacteria. Cavities and Periodontal Disease are contagious!

Brushing and Flossing: Building Good Habits

1. Start Early: Begin brushing twice daily as soon as the first tooth appears. For infants without teeth, gently rub their gums with a warm washcloth.
2. Floss Regularly: Start flossing when teeth develop contacts or earlier to establish the habit.
3. Use a rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts until they are able to spit out their toothpaste.

Breathing and Sleeping

Mouth Breathing leads to an increased amount of cavities and gum disease in both kids and adults!

Watch for these signs that may indicate sleep-related issues:
– Tossing and turning
– Snoring or gasping for air
– Mouth breathing
– Clenching and grinding
– Sleepwalking or night terrors
– Prolonged bed wetting

If your child experiences any of these symptoms, please consult with us. We have a sleep questionnaire available and are happy to discuss this further.

At Crested Butte Dental, we’re committed to your child’s oral health. By following these guidelines, you can help ensure your child maintains a healthy smile throughout the school year and beyond. Remember, establishing good dental habits early on sets the foundation for lifelong oral health.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you and your family on your journey to optimal oral health.