Show 27: Tooth Care, Tooth Brushes, and Signing with Baby
Dr. Kerry Maguire, Director of Public Advocacy with Tom’s of Maine talked with us about dental health for your baby. We also talk about tooth brushes we have tested and the amazing things your baby will tell you when she can sign. Plus lots more fun info. We’ve got another fun jam-packed 30 minutes so don’t miss us live at 9:30 am MT on August 24 at www.grapevineradio.com
Check out the FREE Kindermusik Class offer special for Babies and Moms Listeners. You can try a class and know if it works for you! For more information on Kindermusik and music classes in general, check out Show 20.
Pediatric Dental
Dr. Kerry Maguire, a general dentist with advanced training in Public Health talked to us about the need for Pediatric Dental care and to answer our questions regarding what is recommended and why. She has worked as the Director of Professional Advocacy for Tom’s of Maine since 2003. We are grateful to be working with both Tom’s of Maine and Dr. Maguire!
When should we start cleaning our child’s teeth/gums? How?
[Maguire, Kerry] The sooner the better! Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth and gums with water and a soft toothbrush or washcloth once a day – making it part of your routine gets everyone in the habit of including good oral hygiene in overall health care.
What is the recommended age our child should have their first dental appointment. Why?
[Maguire, Kerry] Because primary teeth (baby teeth) begin to erupt at around six months, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the “first visit by first birthday.” Having a complete evaluation by a pediatric dentist or your family dentist helps identify and prevent problems, allows you to ask questions and gives baby a positive first experience at the dental office.
When should we transition to a fluoridated toothpaste?
[Maguire, Kerry] Ask your dentist when you should use fluoridated or anticavity toothpaste to brush you child’s teeth. Most children do not develop a reliable “spit” reflex until age three or older, and your dentist may recommend using a fluoride-free toothpaste until then.
What are some tips you can give us to keep our child from getting cavities?
[Maguire, Kerry] Good oral hygiene beginning at birth is a great start. Taking your child to visit the dentist by age one let’s you establish a “dental home” for them and gives you an expert partner in preventing cavities and other dental problems. To help prevent cavities in primary teeth, avoid using bottles filled with milk or juice during naps or at night. As your child approaches their first birthday, encourage the use of a cup rather than a bottle. Use an anti-cavity, fluoridated toothpaste based on your dentist’s recommendation.
The risk for decay continues as the permanent teeth erupt. Having sealants placed on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, and maintaining regular dental care visits is important.
Sugar and refined carbohydrates in the diet increase the risk of cavities, so limit intake of sweets and include them as part of meal rather than a stand-alone snack.
Finally, taking good care of your own oral health is an important part of your child’s good oral health. Children who grow up seeing parents and caregivers model good health habits value their health more highly. Give your children the tools to take care of themselves by doing the same for yourself.
A personal question here. My 16 month old daughter is a thumb sucker. Should I be worried about future complications?
[Maguire, Kerry] Thumb sucking is normal for infants, and most children stop by age 2. If your child continues to such their thumb, discourage it after age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. Ask your pediatric dentist to suggest ways to change a prolonged thumb sucking habit.
I read about Dental Sealants, do they work and do you recommend them for children?
[Maguire, Kerry] Dental sealants are a terrific way to help ensure the health of your children’s’ teeth. Sealants are a very thin layer of clear or tinted plastic that coats the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants protect the teeth by smoothing out the deep anatomy (pits, fissures and grooves) of the teeth and preventing food from getting lodged there. Sealants are recommended for permanent teeth and primary teeth with unusually deep anatomy.
The articles I read about Dental Health for children they indicate using fluoride drops or tablets if your city’s water supply does not have fluoride added to it. How do we know how much fluoride is in our water?
[Maguire, Kerry] If you live in a community with fluoridated water, you will receive an annual report of your water quality including the level of fluoride added (or deleted) from the natural level in the water to provide optimal cavity-protection. You can also visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website to find out about your community water supply.
If you live in an area without fluoridated water or have well-water, you may want to have you water tested by an independent laboratory to determine the level of fluoride. You pediatrician or pediatric dentist will recommend additional fluoride drops or tablets based that information and the individual risk your child has for decay.
When looking over the Tom’s of Maine website, I noticed a page that linked oral heath with overall health. Tell us a little about that.
[Maguire, Kerry] New research is confirming what dental professionals have know all along – oral health affects overall health, and the reverse is true as well. Although the specific cause is yet to be established, we now know that oral disease – especially periodontal or gum diseases – is related to preterm and low weight birth, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other systemic conditions. Take care of yourself on all levels, including your oral health and that of your family, to get the most out of life and your well-being!
We’d like to thank for the samples they sent to us before this show. We all love the taste and would have a hard time going back to the regular stuff. We are hooked! Our kids 
especially love the kids toothpaste without flouride. And the parent toothpaste is quite good–unique flavors that are not overpowering.
Toothbrushes we Tested
There is a cool toothbrush for the youngest babies. Check out the Babys First Toothbrush from Baby Buddy. Tricia’s daughter Kiera actually asks to brush her teeth with this brush–several times a day. 
Anna likes it enough that she will brush after meals (we leave it in the kitchen and do it before we get out of the high chair). Check it out and check out some other things they have–we like the straps for keeping things attached when baby learns to drop things as well as the closet organizer tags to keep track of the sizes of clothes you have in the closet.
We also tried the American Red Cross Infant to Toddler Oral Care Kit by Learning Curve. It’s a complete infant-to-toddler oral care kit to promote healthy gums and teeth. Contains 1 fingertip toothbrush, 1 gum stimulator, 1 infant toothbrush, 1 toddler toothbrush, 1 toothbrush holder and 1 storage pouch. The toothbrush is soft for older kids so we like it for the 18 month to 3 year age. We espeically like the toothbrush holder–totally cool. You can get this kit at stores like Target.
NOTES: The toddler brush is definately for older kids and if your baby doesn’t like you to stick your finger in her mouth, the fingertip toothbrush won’t work well so you might want to try the Baby Buddy and see if she will brush her own teeth (or just push through and get your baby used to it). Or, try using a soft cloth as Dr. Maguire suggested.
MOTHERHOOD MATTERS CONFERENCE
There is an excellent Conference in Utah in a few weeks that we will be at. Come and meet us at the American Mothers Conference September 8th from 10-2. Tickets are reasonably priced–2 for $15 so bring a friend–and that includes LUNCH if you register by September 1! You can’t beat that. The speakers are great and if you register by August 25th, you can get free babysitting. There will even be a service project so you can feed your soul, your tummy and help someone.
Look for Nancy’s New Book
Baby Signing 1, 2, 3 is Nancy’s new book. Baby Signing 1, 2, 3 is the answer to all your signing questions. Learn how to sign with your baby at every age and every stage. This new book covers your child’s physical, emotional, mental and linguistic development at every age and how signing fits in to the picture. If you are starting to sign with your baby at 4 months or 14 months, this book tells you how to do it and gives you activities to help you and your baby learn to sign quickly and successfully. This is the first book to include a chapter dedicated to signing with children with Special Needs. PREORDER AND SAVE–Order now and save (book ships first part of September will be autographed by author).
