Parents often have questions about how to take care of their children’s teeth. When should you start brushing? What kind of toothpaste is best? When should you go to the dentist? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you keep your kids’ teeth healthy and cavity free.
Although you don’t necessarily need to brush them yet, you should start cleaning your infant’s teeth as soon as he gets his first tooth. At first, you can just use a wash cloth to clean your infant’s teeth. As he gets more, you can use a soft children’s toothbrush.

Because there is some danger if your child gets too much fluoride, your choice of toothpaste is important. Keep in mind that most brands of kids’ toothpaste are fluoridated. They just have different flavors and popular characters on them to make them more fun for children, but that doesn’t make it safe for your children to swallow too much of the toothpaste.

If using a fluoride toothpaste, use a small, pea-size amount of toothpaste, so that there is little danger of your child getting too much fluoride if he swallows it. And begin to encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste at a young age.

The other alternative for younger children is to use a non-fluoridated toothpaste, such as Baby Orajel Tooth and Gum Cleanser, until they are spitting the toothpaste out.

The timing of the first visit to the dentist is a little controversial. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that children should see a dentist when they get their first tooth and not later than 1 year of age. In contrast, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, unless your child has risk factors for having problems with his teeth, such as sleeping with a cup or bottle, teeth staining, thumb sucking, etc., the first visit to the dentist should be by around the third birthday.

However, an early visit to the dentist is a good way to learn proper oral hygiene at an early age, including avoiding nighttime bottles or cups of formula or juice, proper toothbrushing, and a diet that promotes good dental health. You may also want to see a Pediatric dentist early if your child has a medical condition that puts him at risk of having dental problems, such as Down Syndrome.

Another important topic is figuring out if your child is getting enough fluoride. Children begin to need supplemental fluoride by the age of six months. If he is drinking tap water (either alone, or mixed with formula or 100% fruit juice), and you live in an area with the water is fluoridated, then he should be getting an adequate amount of fluoride. If he doesn’t drink water, or is drinking well water, unfluoridated bottled water (most brands of bottled water don’t have fluoride in them unless the label specifically states that they do), or filtered water, then he may not be getting enough fluoride to keep his teeth healthy. Talk with your Pediatrician or dentist about fluoride supplements.

Water filters are a special concern, because some of them do filter out fluoride. Counter top filters and the pitcher type filters usually don’t remove fluoride, but more sophisticated, point of use filters can. If in doubt, check with the manufacturer to see if the filter removes fluoride.

You should also talk with your dentist about using sealants in your school age child. A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the teeth, hardens, and provides a barrier against plaque and other harmful substances. Sealants can be applied to the 1st and 2nd permanent molars to help protect the grooves and pits of these teeth that can be hard to clean and are prone to developing cavities, and appropriate premolars as soon as possible after they erupt (usually after 6 years of age).

What about flossing? Flossing is an important part of good dental hygiene. You can usually begin flossing once your child is about 3-4 years old, but they likely won’t be able to floss on their own until they are 8-10 years old.

In addition to teaching your children the importance of regular brushing and flossing, routine visits to the dentist and a healthy diet, it is important that you set a good example by also practicing good dental hygiene. If you do not brush and floss each day or regularly see a dentist, then it is unlikely that your children will either.

How do I Best Care for My Teeth as an Adult?
The key to keeping a bright, healthy smile throughout adulthood is to practice proper oral hygiene. Even adults can get cavities, as well as gum disease, that can lead to serious problems.

Throughout your adult life, it’s important to continue to:
1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque the sticky film on your teeth that’s the main cause of tooth decay.

2. Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline, before it can harden into tartar. Once tartar has formed, it can only be removed by a professional cleaning.

3. Limit sugary or starchy foods, especially sticky snacks. The more often you snack between meals, the more chances you give the acids in plaque to attack your tooth enamel.

4. Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.

Patient Education Videos

Consult-Pro is a dental patient education system that demonstrates and explains dental procedures to patients of River Road Dental. This valuable tool helps patients understand their conditions in greater detail and decide on an appropriate solution. If you have ever had any questions regarding treatment that has been suggested we encourage you to browse through the videos to research the procedure or other options that might be available . All of the treatments are explained in detail; from root canals to the difference between a bridge and an implant. Dr. Dounski believes it is important to make an informed decision when it comes to your dental health and Consult-Pro patient education videos let you do just that.

Dr. Dounski understands that dental anxiety is a common occurrence therefore he provides numerous options for you to experience painless dentistry.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Laughing gas has been used in medicine and dentistry for over 100 years. In our office it is used as an additional anesthetic to calm and relax an anxious patient. When the gas is inhaled it lowers the level of pain sensitivity in patients while putting them in a relaxed state. After the gas is administered a local anesthetic could be given to begin treatment. After the treatment is completed patients are given pure oxygen to neutralize the effects of the nitrous oxide.

Topical Benzocaine (Numbing Gel)

Topical anesthetics are used to numb the gum before an injection is given. The anesthetic comes in gel or spray form. The solution is sprayed on or applied with a q-tip a minute before the injection is given to allow for the numbing effect to take place. For added pleasure we offer many different flavors such as pina colada and cherry.

CompuDent Wand

Painful injections are usually caused by shots that are delivered too quickly. The wand is a state of the art anesthetic delivery system which slows down the release of the anesthetic and controls the area to which it is delivered. The Wand allows for a comfortable, pain free injection by delivering the anesthetic with computerized control. It is great to use on kids and anxious adults because it does not look or feel like a syringe which virtually eliminates injection fear.