Cleveland Children’s Oral Health Care

Keeping Kids' Smiles Bright

From the time your child grows their first tooth it is important to develop good oral hygiene routines. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums. Never put your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water, as they can develop ‘baby bottle tooth decay’. Older children should brush their teeth at least twice daily with adult supervision. Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces by using circular motions with the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the tooth surface. The circular motions should be repeated for each of the surfaces. Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch.

It is recommended that children start check ups with the dentist when their teeth first start to come in or no later than your child’s first birthday. Some dental problems begin very early in life. By the time a child has dental pain caused by cavities, the teeth require more extensive treatment or removal. Another problem is gum disease. About 40% of children two to three years old have at least mild gingivitis.

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Children need a well-balanced diet, eating a variety of foods from the five major food groups. A lot of ‘snack’ food can lead to tooth decay. The more a child snacks, the greater the chance for tooth decay. Chose nutritious foods when your child snacks. Water is a very important dietary ingredient. Water should not be replaced by soda (pop) or juice in the diet. If possible, soda (pop) should be eliminated. Limit your child’s consumption of juice to 4-6 ounces a day at meal times instead of sipping it throughout the day.

Your child’s first dental visit

Tell your child about what to expect at their first visit. Talk about how the dentist or assistant will help keep their teeth healthy and how they care about children. Speak positively about your own dental experiences. At the visit, the dentist will examine your child’s mouth, teeth and gums. The dentist will evaluate for adverse habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrust and bruxism. Also, home oral care will be reviewed and a schedule for regular dental visits will be suggested.

For more information regarding Children's Oral Health Care call us at 440-461-8200. You may also email us though the “contact us” page on this website.