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Why Baby Teeth Are Important  Right now, your child has 20 baby teeth. v By about 18 years old, your child will lose their baby teeth to make room for 32 adult teeth.  It is important to know that for 6-12 years baby and permanent teeth share the same space and germs (mixed dentition).  Their adult teeth will be permanent. They will not get another set. So, please help them take very good care of their teeth during childhood. 2

Did you know each tooth has different parts? Let’s take a closer look! 3

 The crown is the white part of a tooth you see when you look into someone’s mouth. 4  The root holds the tooth in the jaw.  The pulp is the innermost layer of a tooth. It contains nerves that feel pain, and blood vessels that carry food to the tooth.  The dentin is a yellow substance that surrounds the pulp. It is harder than bone and makes up most of the tooth.  The cementum is about as hard as bone. It surrounds the dentin in the root of the tooth. The cementum and enamel usually meet where the root and crown join.  Enamel is the hard covering on a tooth. It protects a tooth during chewing.  The gum is the soft, pink tissue that surrounds and protects the root of a tooth.

 We should brush our teeth after every meal. But, sometimes that’s difficult. So, we all should brush at least twice a day. (i.e. after breakfast, before sleeping)  Brushing helps remove plaque from the teeth which is a sticky coating on the tooth caused by bacteria and food particles. If left on your teeth, it can lead to cavities.  To prevent bad breath, make sure to brush your tongue too!  If your child hasn’t begun to teethe, wipe your baby’s gums and teeth with a clean, soft cloth after feeding.  Do not let your child run or play while brushing. A toothbrush is not a toy and this is the most common reason for oral injuries. (Source: Cindy Hallett) 5

 Use a ½ pea-sized amount of toothpaste on a small brush with soft bristles.  Using gentle strokes, make the brush move in small circles over the outside of each tooth.  Remember to do the back of each tooth. v Now, brush the lumpy surface of the teeth. Be sure to remove any food that may be stuck in the grooves. v The recommended brushing time is 2 minutes. Parents, you can use a 2 minute song or timer to help your child keep time while brushing or help by brushing with them. Tooth brushing time IS family time! Tips for Proper Brushing 6

Flossing  Flossing helps to remove food and plaque from between teeth - areas that your brush cannot reach.  Parents should help children floss at least once a day. 7

When Should Your Child Visit The Dentist?  Your child should visit the dentist as soon as his/her first tooth appears, but no later than their first birthday. A dentist is a person who helps us take care of our teeth.  Visit the dentist at least two times a year for routine check-ups following the first visit. 8

Eating Healthy  Eating “tooth friendly” foods can also help keep your teeth in great shape!  Milk and foods made from milk make your teeth strong. They are rich in calcium. v When food is eaten, the mouth becomes more acidic. Teeth are very sensitive to acid and eating cheese helps maintain a pH level in the mouth that is safe for teeth, leading to better cavity prevention.  Fruits and vegetables are also healthy for your teeth. 9

10  Cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth are unable to digest Xylitol, so their growth is greatly reduced.  After using Xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on the surface of the teeth and as a result, the amount of plaque decreases.  Xylitol also helps repair damage to the enamel.

Foods That Are NOT “Tooth Friendly”  Some foods are not “tooth friendly”. These foods contain a lot of sugar and acid. v Sugary foods cause plaque to build up on your teeth. This plaque can lead to cavities. v When you eat or drink anything that contains sugar or starch, bacteria (Strepto- causus mutans) turns them into acids that can attack tooth enamel. (i.e. milk)  You should avoid providing foods that have a lot of sugar and foods that stick to your teeth. (i.e. raisins, fruit snacks, licorice) 11

In addition to the tooth care tips you just learned, here are a few more things you can do to care for your teeth!  Fluoride - Using a toothpaste with fluoride or fluoride varnish helps keep the outside of teeth strong.  Fluoride is a very important ingredient in most toothpastes and some water supplies that help prevent cavities by strengthening and protecting the tooth enamel from acid caused by sugary foods.  Studies show that people who ingest fluoride or have fluoride treatments have lower rates of dental decay. (Source: Cindy Hallett) 12

13  Put only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles for mealtimes. Avoid filling bottles with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. Provide water for drinking between meals.  Infants should finish their bedtime or naptime bottles before going to bed.  If your child uses a pacifier DO NOT dip it in sugar, honey, or put it in your mouth (passes germs) before giving it to your child.  Encourage your children to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent or prolonged use of a sippy cup.

Tooth Decay If we do not properly care for our teeth, we may get cavities. Cavities are holes in teeth caused by plaque eating bacteria (S. mutans). Cavities may or may not be painful. To fix a cavity, your dentist will remove the bad part of the tooth and fill the hole with a filling. Filling materials vary in treatment benefits, color and cost; talk to your dentist for more information. 14

Since our children only get one set of permanent teeth, please be prepared to help them take good care of them! That means helping them to…  Brush at least twice a day.  Floss at least once a day.  Visit the dentist at least two times a year.  Eat “tooth friendly” foods. If you follow the tips above, you’ll surely help to keep all of your children’s teeth healthy and bright! Summary 15

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