As a parent, everyone looks to you for the answers, even when it comes to topics that you may not have any idea about, like children’s oral health and development! Throughout your baby’s key growth and developmental years, you may notice that they become fussy, drool more, or even try to put everything in their mouth. Know that this is completely normal, and having a basic idea of how their smile is changing can help ease some anxiety that you may feel about their new habits. Read on to learn four children’s oral health and development facts that every parent should know!
 
 
#1 Children Should Visit the Dentist by the Time They Turn One 
The American Dental Association as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that children begin visiting their pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth grows in or by their first birthday—whichever happens first! Having your child visit the dentist from an early age will not only help them establish a positive relationship with their dental healthcare team, but it will also allow you to learn about their oral development from a knowledgeable professional.
​
#2 Even Without Teeth, Dental Hygiene Is Important 

Even if your baby doesn’t have any teeth, maintaining a good at-home oral hygiene routine is important. By running a clean, damp cloth along your baby’s gumline at least twice a day, you can help prevent the accumulation of oral bacteria by clearing away natural sugars they’re attracted to that are left by breastmilk and formula.
 
#3 Sharing Germs Can Also Increase Cavity Risk 
Although you may think it’s harmless to share utensils or food with your little one, this can lead to the transfer of germs that can not only cause you both to become sick, but also lead to oral health problems like tooth decay. In fact, a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research found that an estimated 71 percent of cavities in children are spread by the exchange of bacteria from parent to infant.
 
#4 Cavities Are Preventable  
Most people will get a cavity in their lifetime, which is why many people think that this common oral health problem is just a fact of life and not a preventable issue. Fortunately, your child’s pediatric dentist can offer several practical tips and treatments to keep decay at bay, including non-invasive and protective dental sealants and fluoride treatment. Ultimately, helping prevent the development of cavities can allow your child to have a better overall experience with the dentist by minimizing their need for more extensive treatments.
​
About the Author
Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis is the owner and board-certified pediatric dentist at Aledo Pediatric Dentistry. As a parent herself, she understands how important and helpful it can be to have a pediatric dentist on your team that takes the time to explain and listen to you, which is why she’s proud to offer extremely kid- and parent-friendly care. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your child, visit Aledo Pediatric Dentistry’s website or call 817-406-2025.

Keeping your child’s smile healthy starts with what they eat! Many popular snacks are packed with carbs and sugars that can lead to sticky plaque buildup and cavities. But don’t worry, you can still meet their demands for tasty treats while keeping their oral health intact! Read on to find three delicious snack recipes that are not only healthy but also gentle on your child’s smile.
​
Apple Cheddar Quesadillas

This pairing may seem strange at first, but it’s actually a fun take on a traditional New England favorite. Apples are high in fiber and water, which helps clean teeth as your child chews. Pairing these with some creamy calcium-rich cheese is a fantastic match.

They’re also incredibly easy to prepare at any time. First, warm up some flour tortillas. Next, cut your apples of choice into small chunks and place them into a pan with some sharp cheddar cheese. Then, let the mixture melt and cook together for a couple of minutes before placing on a tortilla, folding it over, and cutting it into slices.

Yogurt-Dipped Berries

Nothing is better on a hot day than a cool treat, but instead of sugary popsicles, you can serve your child these super-poppable dipped berries. These will be their next favorite snack guaranteed!

To start, add some flavorful Greek yogurt and a teaspoon of honey to a small bowl. Next, use a toothpick to dip each berry in the mixture before placing it on a parchment paper-lined tray. After freezing them for a couple of hours, they’re ready for munching!

These berries are high in protein, calcium, and various vitamins that will strengthen your child’s smile.

Crunchy Veggie Sticks and Hummus

Ditch chips for this crunchy, savory snack. Carrots and cucumbers are great for teeth because they help stimulate saliva production, which washes away food particles and bacteria. Hummus, made from chickpeas, is a protein-packed dip that won’t harm enamel.

You can either make this one at home from scratch or pick up a dip and pre-cut sticks from your local grocery store. Either way, you’ll be ready to kick the unhealthy, overprocessed carbs in potato chips and serve up something better.

These snacks are a great way to show your child that healthy eating can be both tasty and fun! By swapping out sugary, cavity-causing foods with these wholesome alternatives, you’re protecting their smile and helping them create a healthy relationship with nutritious food.

About the Author

Healthy kids are happy kids and Dr. Adrienne Archidiacono-Jeanis loves to help them learn more about their smiles. She’s a board-certified pediatric dentist with specialty training from the University of Texas Houston. Over the years, she’s dedicated her career to quality dental care for kids and education for children and their parents! To schedule an appointment for your child at Aledo Pediatric Dentistry, call (817) 406-2025 or visit our website to learn more!

There are lots of floss sticks for kids to choose from here are some of our favorites! (we are not affiliated with nor endorse any of these products)

Environmentally Conscious- These flossers are biodegradable, hence reducing plastic waste, they are strawberry flavored + have fluoride infused threads! They come in cute animal shapes + they have plastic FREE packaging made from 100% recycled paper. https://www.ecofrenzy.net/​ . You can purchase these on Amazon click here to purchase. 

Easiest to use- Glide Flossers by Oral-B are by far the easiest to get in and out of in between the teeth, if your kiddos teeth seem to be tight and hard to get floss to go down, this is your best bet! They don't currently sell pediatric specific flossers. These are easy to find at any grocery store or pharmacy. 

Fluoride Free- For a great option without fluoride we love Grin brand kids flossers, also biodegradable! Another great option to check out! Click here for link to website.  

How to care for your baby once teeth erupt. 
The America Academy of Pediatric Dentists has some really great guidelines for new parents. 


Before teeth erupt, clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush at bath time. This helps ready the baby for the teeth cleaning to come. 

When their teeth erupt, clean the child’s teeth twice a day with a toothbrush designed for small children. 

Take your baby to see a pediatric dentist by the baby’s first birthday if they have teeth. The earlier the visit, the better. It is important to establish a dental home to ensure that the child’s oral health care is delivered in a comprehensive, ongoing, accessible, coordinated and family-centered way by the dentist. 

If your baby is placed to sleep with a bottle once their teeth erupt, start to transition to water if its throughout the night. When a child is given a bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice, the teeth can have sugars that stay on until it is wiped or brushed off. If the teeth aren't cleansed by drinking water, getting wiped or brushed, it can cause cavities in babies called “early childhood caries,” formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay. 

Breast-feeding has been shown to be beneficial for a baby’s health and development. Clean your baby's mouth with a wet washcloth after breast-feeding whenever possible, especially at night time. You can also buy tooth wipes that come in individually wrapped packages that helped us out a lot! 

Never dip a pacifier in anything sweet; it can lead to serious tooth decay. 

Wean your infant from the bottle by one year of age.

Fluoride use it or lose it?

Fluoride was found to reduce cavities in the early 1900's & was added in small doses to the water in the U.S. in areas that it was not naturally found. 

Fluoride, in appropriate dosages, for the appropriate patient, is great at preventing cavities. Using a fluoridated toothpaste starting at age 2 will help protect your children from cavities if they are at a moderate to high risk for cavities.  

Check with your city or town about the level of fluoride in your water as some towns have removed it. If you do not have fluoride in your water, you will still get fluoride from secondary sources, such as canned foods or restaurants, check with your pediatric dentist if they recommend at home fluoride toothpaste or in office fluoride varnish at cleaning visits. 

Fluoride has been proven to be safe & effective when used properly, topically and appropriately for a patients need and risk level. 

There are no conclusive scientific studies that have shown that topical fluoride used in a dental setting twice a years will have any adverse effects. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in the soil & water.

Each child has their own unique needs based on their health and risk factors!

#1 Drink more water
Most juices & flavored milk contain more sugar than soda. "Cutting" juice with water has not proved to reduce sugar enough to prevent cavities. Stick with water &  milk & you will significantly reduce your child's sugar intake.

#2 Brush twice a day & Floss at night
Certainly not novel ground breaking information, but sometimes we need to create environments at home to help us stay on track! Using an electric toothbrush will remove considerably more plaque than a manual toothbrush & there are some great children's brushes on the market. Keep floss sticks in clear jars on the bathroom counter so we remember to floss! 

#3 Find a pediatric dentist by age 1
Even if your child has only a few teeth, find a dental office to call home. Children that start coming at very young age become less afraid every visit, & by the time they are late toddler stage they even enjoy it! This will also provide you with an emergency contact if your little one takes a tumble & bumps their teeth or any other unforeseen issues arise. 

#4 Eat more whole foods
It certainly is less time consuming & cheaper to grab a bag of this or box of that for family meals. Most of us do not have the luxury of staying home to churn butter & mill flour, nor can endure the cost of weekly Whole Foods visits. But there are some easy rules you can follow that will make a difference, try to stay in the perimeters of the grocery store. If the product has a list of ingredients you cannot pronounce or have to look up in google, good idea to skip it, and try alternative options. Try swapping out flavored, sugar-packed yogurt for plain whole milk yogurt & add berries & local honey to sweeten it up! Dehydrated fruit, like apple chips is healthier than gummies and still a sweet + easy grab and go alternative! 

#5 Bottle and breast feeding when teeth are fully erupted
If your child is feeding at will & throughout the night, their teeth are consistently covered in milk, which has natural sugars in it,  this can lead to cavities over time.  Just simply keep a wet cloth or tooth wipes close by & gently wipe their teeth after feeding & keep with brushing 2x day!