February is National Children’s Dental Health Month! To celebrate, we want to talk about the tiniest members of our families with the tiniest teeth: babies! Whether you are a first-time parent or just had your fifth, the cutting of the first tooth is an exciting (and painful) experience. For those involved with baby’s first tooth, there are a lot of questions. Come visit us to get all your questions answered, but in the meantime, here are the answers to some questions we hear frequently!
When should I take my baby to the dentist?
Taking your baby to their first dentist appointment should occur sometime after their first tooth comes in and no later than their first birthday. At this appointment, your dentist will examine their teeth for cavities and can also show you how to properly clean your child’s teeth. Your dentist might also guide you through how to handle habits like thumb-sucking.
How should I care for my baby’s first teeth?
Start cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as they appear. Begin by wiping the gums with a clean, damp washcloth. You can also use a finger brush or another toothbrush designed for babies’ sensitive gums. Use toothpaste without sugar if at all possible. We don’t recommend brushing your baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste because babies tend to swallow it and ingest too much fluoride. Make sure to brush their teeth twice a day, just like you do!
How can I prevent tooth decay for my baby?
While baby teeth are temporary, it is still important to take care of them and prevent cavities. These first teeth also set the foundation to make sure adult teeth come in properly. One common cause of infant tooth decay is the frequent exposure of baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar. This exposure occurs most often when a baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier. Good habits that will help prevent this decay are regular brushing, avoiding juice, finishing bottles prior to bedtime, and encouraging general healthy eating habits.
Can breastfed babies get cavities?
Yes! Natural breast milk, just like formula, contains sugar. So it is important to care for your baby’s teeth from day one in either case. Make sure to wash your baby’s gums with a wet washcloth every day and brush their teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth erupts.
How can thumb-sucking affect my child’s teeth?
Babies and children often suck their thumbs as a way to soothe themselves. However, this habit can result in improper development of the oral cavity and misalignment of the teeth. Thumb-sucking can even cause changes in the roof of the mouth. Pacifiers can affect the teeth in a similar manner. Typically, kids stop sucking their thumbs by the time their permanent teeth are ready to erupt, but it is important to try and stop the habit before that time comes.
The days when we were limited to plain white Colgate toothpaste are long gone. Today’s toothpaste market is inundated by alternatives to traditional products. Plain Colgate sits on shelves next to natural toothpaste, sparkly and glittery options for kids, and everything in between.
Homemade toothpaste, a lesser known alternative, is growing in popularity because of its all-natural ingredients, inexpensiveness, and America’s love affair with ‘doing-it-yourself’. Most homemade toothpaste ingredients can be purchased at any health food store or at online retailers. But, using the wrong homemade toothpaste recipe could lead to enamel damage or cause an imbalance in your mouth’s microbiology. To make sure you and your family are using safe and effective homemade toothpaste, here are some Falmouth Dental Arts approved recipes for you to try.
The following recipes should all be stored in a clean container of your choosing.
Coconut Oil Toothpaste – Recipe 1
Ingredients
2 TBS calcium powder (you can grind up calcium tabs in place of powder)
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp xylitol (about 1 packet)
2 TBS coconut oil (preferably extra virgin unrefined)
3 to 4 drops cinnamon essential oil (for flavor)*
2 to 3 drops nutmeg essential oil (for flavor)*
Mix all dry ingredients first, then add the coconut oil and stir until the mixture is blended. Add the essential oils and mix until smooth.
Coconut Oil Toothpaste – Recipe 2
Ingredients
½ cup coconut oil
2 to 3 TBS baking soda
2 small packets of stevia powder
15 to 20 drops of peppermint or cinnamon essential oil (for flavor)*
10 drops myrrh extract (optional for flavor)*
Melt or slightly soften the coconut oil then mix in all other ingredients and stir well. Mix using a fork if you are using semi-hard coconut oil and use a spoon for liquid coconut oil. If you melted the coconut oil using a heat source, stir the mixture as it cools to prevent the baking soda from separating.
Remineralizing Toothpaste
Ingredients
5 parts calcium powder
1 part diatomaceous earth (optional)
2 parts baking soda
3 parts xylitol powder
3 to 5 parts coconut oil
Mint, cinnamon, orange, or myrrh essential oils (for flavor)*
Mix all of the dry ingredients together. Add the coconut oil slowly until the mixture has a smooth texture. Mix in the essential oils to taste.
Tooth Powder
Despite the different name, tooth powder is very similar to toothpaste and should be used in the same way.
Ingredients
4 TBS bentonite clay
2 tsp baking soda
1 ½ tsp finely ground unrefined sea salt
½ tsp clove powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 ½ tsp ground peppermint leaves**, spearmint leaves, or 5 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil (for flavor)*
1 ½ tsp unrefined stevia powder
¾ tsp activated charcoal
Mix all ingredients together.
If you have questions about which homemade toothpaste is best for you, give us a call and we’ll help you make a decision based on your oral health needs.
*Essential oils can be potent, so start with a few drops then add more to taste. Make sure to use therapeutic-grade essential oils that are safe to ingest. Feel free to substitute other essential oils if you prefer.
**Ground peppermint tea can be used in place of ground peppermint leaves.
Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth. And like toothbrushes, there are different types of floss. Which is the right floss for you? We’re going to break down the differences between types of flosses and give some tips on how best to use this important dental tool.
Waxed vs. Unwaxed
The biggest decision you have to make when it comes to floss is whether or not to use waxed or unwaxed. The choice is completely up to you and each has their own pros and cons, but the main determining factor seems to be tooth spacing.
Those with tightly positioned teeth tend to prefer unwaxed floss. It is thinner than waxed floss and can therefore more easily slip in between tightly packed teeth. The downside to unwaxed floss is its tendency to break and shred.
People with more space between their teeth prefer waxed floss. Since they don’t need to worry about needing a thin floss to get into tight spaces, they can afford to use the thicker, more durable waxed version. Waxed floss also has the added benefit of less friction as it moves across your teeth and gums.
Unwaxed Nylon vs. Polytetrafluoroethylene
That’s right, we said polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as PTFE. Your typical floss (waxed and unwaxed) is made from nylon, whereas PTFE floss is made from the same material as high-tech rain gear like Gore-Tex. When used as a floss, PTFE is great for tightly packed teeth AND is less prone to breakage. For those with tightly packed teeth, the choice is between unwaxed nylon or PTFE, and this comes down to personal preference – some prefer the feel of one over the other.
Waxed Nylon vs. Dental Tape
We discussed the reasons why those with wider spaces between their teeth prefer waxed floss. Dental tape, a broader, flatter alternative to floss, is also great for loosely spaced teeth. Again, the choice here is personal preference with regard to what feels better.
Proper Flossing Technique
Here’s a short video on proper flossing technique in case you need a refresher.
How you floss is very important, so let’s review proper techniques and common mistakes.
DO use an arm’s length of floss. Any shorter and you won’t have enough to cover all of your teeth.
DO wrap 6 inches of floss around your middle fingers and use them to control the movement of the floss.
DO move the floss in an up-and-down motion between where the tooth and gum meet to remove food particles.
DO use a new and clean section of floss each time you move in between two new teeth.
DO floss once a day.
DON’T slide floss lengthwise between your teeth, as this could injure your gums.
DON’T move floss in an overly aggressive manner. Pushing too hard or flossing too fast won’t remove any more bacteria than flossing gently and could harm your gums.
DON’T skip days – make sure you floss every day!
Flossing with Braces
Having braces is no excuse for a lax attitude toward flossing, but having orthodontics does make it more difficult to floss successfully. For those with braces, we recommend using waxed floss with a floss threader. Use the threader to pull the floss between the wire of your braces and your teeth, then floss between your teeth as you would normally. Remove the floss and repeat this process with the next two teeth.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to floss this way for every space between your teeth, top and bottom. But remember, the benefits are worth it – a happy healthy smile once your braces are taken off!
Still have flossing questions? Give us a call at 207-781-5900 – we’re happy to help!
Gift giving during the holiday season may feel like a stressful endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be. For those of you who don’t want to buy the usual surplus of toys and electronics (“They’re only going to use it for 6 months!”), the idea of dental-themed gifts may appeal to you and prove to be a wonderful alternative gift solution. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we’re all about gifting good oral health. We want you to have cavity-free, clean teeth year-round, so we hope that you can find the perfect gift for someone on your list among the suggestions we’ve listed below.
For the kids: Tooth keepers are small containers that serve as a practical receptacle for the tooth fairy – tooth or reward – and they can also serve as educational tools to help children understand the differences between baby teeth and adult teeth. There are wooden and plastic varieties, both of which can serve as a fond memento of childhood later in life. Thanks to this timeless quality, they are great contributions to any child’s holiday gift roundup.
For the adventurous at heart: Did you know that there are different flavors of toothpaste other than mint? For example… bacon? With this gift, someone’s tooth-brushing grind can become reinvigorated with exciting new flavors! Not a fan of bacon? Don’t worry – there are a variety of flavors out there, ranging from mango to cupcake, lavender, and more!
For the photo-opportunists: How many times do we look in the mirror a day? Most people are very aware of their personal appearance because we’re constantly meeting ourselves in the mirror! For the socialites and selfie enthusiasts on your list, we recommend the confidence-boosting gift of a professional whitening so that they can rest assured they’ll always be looking their best for the camera.
For those on-the-go: Whether carrying it in your pocket or in your purse, gum is a quick and reliable way to freshen your breath at any moment. We recommend sugar-free gum that bears the official ADA Seal of Acceptance. Other gums with sugar result in plaque bacteria and the production of acids associated with tooth decay, whereas sugar-free ADA-approved gum does not. So put some ADA-approved gum into everyone’s stockings this year! You’ll be doing them a favor.
For the techies: Gifting an electric toothbrush to a friend or family member can really level up his or her respective oral hygiene routine. Electric toothbrushes can clean teeth efficiently with spinning brush heads and resilient bristles. Depending on the brush, electric models range from expensive to affordable, but make sure to consider the cost of replacement bristles for the recipient. Regardless of what type you choose, these toothbrushes have been shown to be effective at preventing a majority of plaque build-up.
For those who go the extra mile: While the name might have you drawing question marks, oral irrigators are great gifts fit for any adult or dental-conscious teen. Like floss, oral irrigators are designed to clean between teeth. But the difference is this tool directs a stream of water between teeth to remove pesky food particles that cause tooth decay. Oral irrigators are great tools for those who have denture or braces, or anyone who wants that extra assurance they’re cleaning their mouth well.
Who ever knew dental-themed products could present so many gifting opportunities? For specific recommendations on products or brands, feel free to call us at (207) 781-5900.
Following routine oral care responsibilities during the holiday season can prove to be challenging. This is the time of year when sugary, delicious sweets are a staple at every holiday party and gathering you attend. It’s a time of tasty meals and sweet drinks. The holiday season is when the threat of cavities becomes all too real. To help you mind your dental hygiene, we’ve put together some oral health tips anyone can successfully follow. At Falmouth Dental Arts, we want your teeth to be clean, cavity-free, and happy!
Eat your sugars all at once. Too much sugar consumed in one sitting can be overwhelming for your taste buds, but it’s actually in the best interest of your teeth to do so. If you’re going to eat sugary desserts during the holidays, do your best to eat them in one sitting. Stretching out the consumption of sugarcoated treats will only expose your teeth to risk of cavities longer. With long exposure comes the chance for the bacteria in sugars to produce acid and eat away at your enamel. Do your teeth a favor and limit your teeth to one brief taste of sugars.
Maintain your routine. Even during the holiday season when our lives are busy with hosting holiday parties and traveling to see family and friends, it’s critical to maintain your dental hygiene routine. Brushing your teeth should be a priority at least twice a day, but try for three if you’re consuming more food than usual. You don’t want food particles to get lodged between your teeth this holiday. Be as thorough with brushing and flossing as possible.
Aim for the best teeth-friendly treats. If you’re attending holiday parties with buffets and feasts, try to aim for food types your teeth will love. Options including cheeses, meats, or nuts are great choices that will help protect your enamel. These foods are known to neutralize acids and provide the calcium and phosphorus needed to keep minerals in your teeth.
Avoid the worst foods for your teeth. If possible, try to avoid foods like candy, cookies, cakes, breads, muffins, chips, or dried fruits. These foods are known to contain sugars that will produce bacteria and acid on your teeth. Keep your dental hygiene a number one priority by avoiding these cavity-causing foods.
Maintaining optimal dental care during the holidays is a challenge we all face. Tasty desserts and warm bread may call to our taste buds, but if you indulge try to do so in moderation. Long exposure to these foods may cause you a cavity or two. Do your best to make smart, healthy food choices during the holidays. Above all else, remember to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after meals.
If you have any questions about how best to maintain healthy teeth and gums this holiday season, please give us a call at 207-781-5900. Happy holidays!
