A Toothy Smile

Good Morning Moms, today our guest on SavvyMom TV is Dr Edward J. Barrett, a staff member of the Pediatric Dental Trauma Research Group at SickKids Hospital and Assistant Professor at The University of Toronto. He also runs his own private practice in pediatric dentistry in Toronto (so we figure he knows his stuff). We are thrilled to have him share his recommendations on how to care for our children’s teeth.

But doctor, they’re just baby teeth. Can’t we just leave them and wait for them to fall out?
I hear this daily and it is both sad and disheartening Sad, because the little people who are attached to the baby teeth are left to bear the results of decisions that ultimately leave them in worse conditions than they arrive in and disheartening because despite all the advances in dental care, children continue to get cavities.

Okay, so let’s start at the very beginning then—when do I have to bring my child to the dentist?
A child’s first dental visit should occur within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth. You can expect the dentist to examine the child’s teeth (or tooth) and acquaint you with what to expect developmentally in your child’s mouth, how to care for their teeth and how to prevent problems.

Do I really have to bring my child to the dentist every six months?
No. I usually ask to see cavity-free children under three annually after the first visit, then transition them to semi-annual visits around the age of four.

My 3 year old lets me brush his teeth but when can I let him do it on his own?
My childhood dentist told my parents: “He can brush on his own when he pays his own bills!”. My answer is that parents are responsible for brushing their children’s teeth until at least the age of about 4 when their fine motor skills allow them to do a reasonable job and they are able to spit voluntarily. Even then, parents should periodically check your child’s teeth to ensure that they are properly cleaned.

How long should I brush for and what is the best way to brush?
Quality is more important than quantity so a good technique is important. Ideally the ‘brusher’ should be in position to see the teeth and brush so that you can observe what you are doing. Stand behind the child while they are looking upward and hold the toothbrush like a pen or pencil. Next, place the tooth brush at an angle of about 45 degrees to the gumline and gently move the toothbrush forward and backward cleaning only two or three teeth at a time. Ask for a demo from your dentist or hygienist—they’ll be happy to show you the ropes.

What about those fancy electric toothbrushes?
As long as you use the proper technique, it does not matter whether you use a ‘manual’ or ‘electric’ toothbrush. Just remember the electric toothbrushes don’t know how to brush your child’s teeth: you do. They are useful for children who need some encouragement to brush, or children with various physical challenges.

Do I REALLY have to floss my child’s teeth?
In a word: yes. Brushing takes care only of the parts of the tooth that you can SEE while flossing gets rid of the bacteria and food debris that accumulate between the teeth (usually between the molar teeth in the back). Lack of flossing is the cause of more than 75% of cavities that are seen in baby teeth.

What about toothpaste?
It’s all about the fluoride, really. My preference is for parents to use only water and a toothbrush until the time when the child can spit purposefully (usually around 3 or 4 years old). At this point, fluoridated toothpaste can be introduced but care should be taken to use only a minimal amount of toothpaste (minimal meaning the size of a grain of rice because there is several hundred times more fluoride in toothpaste than there is in tap water).

Thank you Dr. Barrett, it has been a pleasure. We appreciate your help and your shiny white teeth. You are so savvy.

For more information on keeping that smile healthy, Dr. Barrett recommends this website.

Dr Edward J. Barrett
(416) 413-0550
1849 Yonge St. Suite 510

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