You want the best for your kids. However, when it comes to dental care, things can get a bit confusing. There are a lot of myths floating around about pediatric dentistry, and it can be hard to sort fact from fiction. One website says fluoride is bad for teeth. Another says it’s important. Your mom tells you your child is too young for toothpaste, and your best friend says toothpaste is essential. What’s the real truth? Dr. George Georgaklis is an outstanding family dentist in San Diego, offering a full range of pediatric dental care. He can provide valuable information about the best ways to care for your little one’s beautiful smile. Test your ability to recognize dental myths with this brief, informative quiz.
Truth or Myth?
- True or False: Children rarely get cavities.
- True or False: You should begin brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in.
- True or False: Your child should visit a family dentist in San Diego around age 1.
- True or False: Your child should not use toothpaste until age 6.
Check Your Answers with Your La Jolla Family Dentist
- False. Unfortunately, children are just as susceptible to cavities as adults – and sometimes more so. The same process occurs in the mouths of children and grownups. Oral bacteria interact with sugars and starches to form acids. Then the acids start to wear away at dental enamel. If the process goes unchecked, the tooth will eventually develop a cavity. Often, children consume more sugar, as well as sugary fruit juices and milk. Therefore, their mouths already contain a higher concentration of harmful starches. Additionally, children do not usually maintain good dental hygiene on their own. Therefore, you should monitor their at-home brushing and schedule their regular visits with a family dentist in San Diego.
- True. Actually, you should wipe down your baby’s gums with a soft cloth even before her first teeth come in. Once your child starts teething, brush twice a day, typically in the morning and before bed. You should also start flossing as soon as your little one has two or more touching teeth. Continue to brush and floss for child until you are sure that she can do it on her own. Most children can do this by age 5, but it varies from child to child. Continue to monitor her brushing habits, even after she takes charge of her own dental hygiene.
- True. Just as you should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come in, you should also start scheduling dental appointments with your La Jolla family dentist around the same time. At these appointments, we will clean your child’s teeth and check for decay and early misalignment. We love working with kids and know how to keep them comfortable and relaxed during treatment. It is important to begin dental care at a young age, since decay is a cyclical problem. Individuals who have cavities as children are more likely to suffer from cavities as adults.
- False: The American Dental Association® recommends using a smear of fluoride toothpaste for children age 3 and younger. This smear should be no larger than a grain of rice. Children age 3 to 6 should use a pea-sized dollop of fluoride toothpaste. Watch your child carefully to make sure that he does not swallow the toothpaste. However, when you use a small dosage, your child will not come to any harm even if he does swallow it.
About Your Family Dentist in San Diego
If you are looking for an outstanding family dentist in San Diego, you have come to the right place. Dr. George Georgaklis offers a full range of pediatric treatments, including exams and cleanings, sealants, and orthodontic treatment. To learn more about children’s oral health or to schedule an appointment for your child, contact your La Jolla family dentist today.
