Smiles Are Forever

There’s nothin’ sweeter than a healthy, toothy grin.
We asked Dr. Montsérrat Bouvier, mom to 12-year old Sofia and 5-year old twins Ariana and Jordi, a few questions about taking care of our children’s pearly whites.

What is the recommended age to start bringing your child to the Dentist?
By the first birthday. This first visit would be mostly of a preventive nature to review diet, toothbrushing, thumbsucking, etc., and getting an initial exam of the child’s dentition and bone structure.

How often should I book visits for them?
Ideally, you should book a visit every 6 months to catch any problems at their onset. Regular visits help the child get acclimatized to the dental office environment and feel comfortable with the doctor.

What is a realistic age to expect my child to brush her teeth on her own?
Brushing and flossing should be supervised up until 7 to 8 years of age. Dr. Montserrat lets her kids do it on their own once a day and supervises at bedtime.

Is kids’ toothpaste effective? It tastes so sweet.
Fluoridated toothpaste is not recommended for use up to the age of 3 (until they can adequately spit it out as excess fluoride ingestion can be detrimental to the formation of the permanent teeth). Use either plain water or non-fluoridated toothpaste until then.

Do you recommend automatic toothbrushes or the regular kind?
Both are fine as long as soft bristles are used and thrown out when they are frayed. Involve the kids and get them to choose one with a character they like, helps with those fussy brushers!