Dental Tips For Parents

* Start cleaning their teeth as soon as you see them. At first you will want to use a clean, damp cloth for this, and later you can switch to a toothbrush.

* Help them get used to regular dental care with a dental visit around age two or three. Here at Mountain View Family Dentistry we call this their "Happy Visit." We "count their teeth," and, if they're ready to accept it, we will do a light cleaning. This helps them develop positive associations with dental care.

* Choose the right dentist for your child. Most adults who suffer from dental phobia can trace their fear to a visit with a childhood dentist who was rough with them.

* Don't over-prepare them for their first dental visit. We have noticed that when parents worry about that first visit and then go through elaborate procedures for their child, to coach them, to play dentist, to try to help them not be afraid, that the children come in worried and anxious. However, when parents treat the visit as something routine and aren't worried themselves about how their children will react, those children are much more relaxed. We will actually make this be a fun visit for them if you help us by treating it as such.

* Teach them proper home care by brushing for them, and letting them take over when they have enough understanding and dexterity to handle the job. You can make it fun for them and help them spend enough time on the task by adding songs or games to the routine. Continue to supervise their toothbrushing until they can do it reasonably well on their own.

* Don't use scare tactics to get your children to adopt good home dental care practices. Some parents threaten children with scary images of dental care if they don't brush or if they eat too many sweets. This can backfire big time and make the child unmanageable when it comes time for them to actually receive this care.

* Have them use a quality fluoride toothpaste that has a taste they enjoy. But limit the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized drop on the brush. In spite of your instructions to spit out the toothpaste, many children can't help swallowing it. And while a little fluoride strengthens the teeth, too much can cause the teeth to develop unsightly white spots.