Now is the time to step up your home brushing game. Our routines have all changed and in most households, there has been a tremendous increase in daytime snacking. I know this firsthand since my dryer seems to be shrinking all of my clothes. As many of us find ourselves home with the kids, the number of times we all eat in a day has increased. And increased frequency of snacking on sugary or carbohydrate-loaded treats will increase your family’s risk for cavities. How can you fight back? Get a Gameplan!
•Start a Routine – Brushing needs to happen twice every day. Try for morning brushing but if you miss the opportunity, jump in for brushing at another point in the day, say mid-afternoon. The fluoride in toothpaste works to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities by hardening the enamel. It works better if there are two contact-events per day. Little kids often lack the ability to properly brush all surfaces of their teeth. Many just chomp on the toothbrush and brush just the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Help your child by lifting the upper lip and brushing up on the front upper teeth gumlines. You can also help by reaching the toothbrush around to the side of the back molars where sticky foods accumulate next to the gums.
•Give Rewards – Most kids are motivated by a reward system. Schools use Class Dojo, and “clipping up/clipping down” to help motivate kids to focus and get their work done productively. You can apply the same technique to help your kids get through their twice daily brushing. Make a brushing calendar or use an app like “Brush DJ” and dance it up while you are protecting your baby’s smile.
•Get Creative – Has your stockpile of toothpaste become boring? Try mixing things up by creating your very own homemade version! Squeeze out a little toothpaste into a bowl and try adding coconut oil, baking soda or sweet orange essential oil. Coconut oil is mildly antibacterial and baking soda is an ingredient found in many whitening toothpastes. In your mad scientist quest for better tasting toothpaste, it’s good to be aware that some kids have allergic reactions to cinnamon in toothpaste. It can cause a red, irritated area on the gums called a contact dermatitis. So perhaps save the cinnamon flavoring for your coffee cake!
•Become a Junior Dentist! – If your child has missed their regular dental checkup because of office closures, take up your cell phone flashlight and check out their mouth. Assign this task to the adult in the family who gets the least grossed out by teeth. Look for sticky, fluffy residue along the gumlines. If you see “fuzz” on the teeth, your child is missing these areas when brushing. Check for spots and cracks and loose teeth. If there are any areas of concern, contact your child’s dentist for professional advice.
Tooth emergencies can still occur even when most dental offices are closed. Be proactive and use your cell phone flashlight to investigate if your child complains of tooth pain or soreness or if you notice any swelling around the gums or face. Dental offices using Tele-Dentistry can provide advice tailored to your child’s needs and make an emergency treatment plan if necessary. We can all work together to help kids enjoy healthy and happy smiles without toothaches and pain.
-by Mandy Ashley, DMD, MsEd, MS
About the Author: Dr. Mandy Ashley DMD, MsEd, MS is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and founder of SKY Pediatric Dentistry. SKY Pediatric Dentistry has locations at 234 Natchez Trace in Bowling Green, 280 Burley Ave. in Hopkinsville and our NEWEST LOCATION at 203 Professional Park in Glasgow. With experience and compassion, Dr. Mandy Ashley, her partner Dr. Madison Galloway, and the SKY team provide modern, fun dental care for all children as well as adults with special needs.
***SKY Pediatric Dentistry is offering TELE-DENTISTRY services during our office closure. Just call us at 270-715-5437 for help with any children’s dental pain, swelling or tooth-trauma. SKY Pediatric Dentistry’s innovative approach gives parents an easy option to text a picture of the dental emergency and receive timely advice and information from our Board Certified Pediatric Dentists.
You can visit the website www.skypediatricdentistry.com, check us out on Facebook, email info@skypediatricdentistry.com or call 270-715-5437 for more information on the practice and to schedule an appointment.
