Smile Stages

Smiles Stages – the First Year

Optimize your own oral health.
Find a dental home for your baby.
Establish a healthy feeding pattern by separating eating and sleeping. Keeping the bottle out of the crib   allows the baby to learn to sleep through the night at a younger age, and avoids a later struggle over taking away the bedtime bottle.
Clean your baby’s gum with a soft gauze and water after each feeding.
Your baby’s teeth will usually erupt between 6-18 months of age. Teething rings are important to help the teeth work through the gum. Try cooling the teething ring in the refrigerator. Give the baby Tylenol Drops when needed, but be sure to stay within the guidelines on the bottle. A surface anesthetic preparation like “Ora-Gel for Teething” may be useful at bedtime or when the baby seems particularly upset, but it washes away in a short time. Be sure to use it according to the directions. As soon as the teeth penetrate the gum, the discomfort begins to go away. Use a soft infant toothbrush as soon as your baby starts teething. Toothpaste is usually not necessary at this stage.
Create an injury-proof environment in your car and home. Proper car seats, safety gates and padding on table edges are important.

Smiles Stages – the Toddler Years

Establish a dental home if not already available.
Try to switch the baby bottle with a sippy cup and reduce pacifier use.
If your toddler has not yet given up the bottle, be sure that it contains only water at naps and bedtime.
Brush your toddler’s teeth thoroughly twice a day. Toothpaste can be introduced.
Give your child healthy, tooth-friendly snacks and avoid repetitive sweetened beverages and sugary snacks.
Be aware of the fluoride content of the water that your child drinks. If it is below O.6mg/L, consider fluoridated bottled water.
Create an injury-proof environment in your car and home. Proper car seats, safety gates and padding on table edges are important.
Report any oral habits or suspicious spots on your toddler’s teeth to your dental home.

Smiles Stages – Three to Six years old

Make sure you are on scheduled visits to your dental home.
Supervise the brushing of your child’s teeth with appropriate amounts of fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day.
Discuss healthy snacks with your child’s school and avoid repetitive sweetened beverages and sugary snacks. Sugars taken with other foods are less harmful so a rule of “no sugar between meals” is a good idea.
Ask your dental home about sealants to protect newly-erupted permanent molars.
Be aware of your child’s fluoride intake and discuss optimum levels with your dental home.
Discuss sports injuries with your child’s dental home and school to prevent possible accidents.
Discuss early orthodontics and the management of oral habits with your child’s dental home.

Smiles Stages – Six years and older

Make sure you are on scheduled visits to your dental home.
Add a fluoridated mouth rinse to your child’s oral hygiene plan and supervise its use.
Keep your child on track with healthy snacks and proper eating habits.
Ask your dental home about sealants if they have not already been placed.
Continue with optimum fluoride levels and add other protective agents according to the recommendations of your dental home.
If your child participates in organized sports, a comfortably fitting mouthguard needs to be worn. Encouraging other families with children on the team to do the same will motivate everyone to be safe.
If orthodontic treatment is initiated, additional preventive measures against dental cavities and gum inflammation must be presented. Counsel your child to help them avoid harmful habits such as tobacco and oral piercing.