How often your child brushes their teeth, the thickness of the bristles and the type of toothpaste used may all affect removing plaque and bacteria and preventing tooth decay and cavities.
So how do you know if you’re choosing the right one?

Here are a few considerations recommended by our board certified pediatric dentists, Drs. Fisher & Surger.

Toothbrushes Bristles

Toothbrush bristles are commonly made of either nylon or nylon-polyester blend bristles. While toothbrushes are available in many shapes, sizes, and textures, finding the best toothbrush starts with choosing the right type of bristles.

Soft versus Hard Bristles

For young children especially, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush for their developing teeth.

Soft bristles are best for applying gentle pressure to remove plaque and debris from your child’s teeth and gum line, whereas a toothbrush with hard bristles may be too rough on the gums.

Toothbrush Shapes & Sizes

Comfort is key! Choose a size of brush which coincides with your child’s age and growth development.

Most toothbrush packages will identify an appropriate age for usage. You not only want the toothbrush size and shape to fit comfortably in the mouth, but also want to ensure it is easy to hold and use for your child.

And have fun with it! Using a toothbrush with bright colors or favorite characters will help encourage your child to brush their teeth regularly.

Each child’s mouth will grow and develop differently, so be mindful of your child’s comfort as they brush their teeth. Explore different toothbrushes and adjust accordingly to accommodate their comfort needs.

Electric Toothbrushes

Another option to consider is an electric toothbrush for your child.

Electric toothbrushes provide more movement and cover more of the tooth’s surface area. Its flexible head movement allows your child to reach areas that are harder to brush.

Many brands of electric toothbrushes have a built-in timer, so your child knows they are finished brushing, which will help them develop their oral health routine in the long run.

Remember to replace toothbrushes or brush heads every three to four months or when the bristles are visibly matted or frayed. And don’t forget to floss, too!

Check For The ADA Seal Of Acceptance

When deciding on the best toothbrush for your child, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

The seal assures that the product has been tested and evaluated for safety and efficiency by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs.

To earn the ADA seal, the manufacturer of the toothbrush must provide the ADA with the evidence that:
• All toothbrush components are safe for the use in the mouth.
• Bristles are free of sharp or jagged edges and endpoints.
• Handle material demonstrates durability under normal use.
• Bristles won’t fall out with normal use.
• The toothbrush can be used without supervision by the average adult to provide a significant decrease in mild gum disease and plaque.

Schedule An Appointment

Is it time for your child’s dentist appointment? At Fisher & Surger Pediatric Dentistry, we are committed to helping your child develop a healthy smile.

Our board certified pediatric dentists and team are proud to be a leading pediatric dental practice in Orange County, CA.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

No worries parents! For many children, this behavior is completely normal. Often, children do this as a source of relaxation and comfort. Typically, children stop between the ages of two and four on their own.  However, if your child continues to suck on their fingers or thumbs beyond the eruption of their permanent teeth, dental problems may arise.

How Can Thumb Sucking Affect My Child’s Teeth?

Prolonged and excessive thumb and pacifier sucking can affect your child’s bite as well as the growth of your child’s jaw and bones that support their teeth.

Problems that could affect your child’s physical health include:

• Crowded, crooked teeth or bite issues.
• Speech development issues.
• Misaligned jaw.
• Changes in the structure of the roof of the mouth.

How Can I Help My Child Stop Thumb Sucking?

• Observe your child’s thumb sucking patterns. Sometimes children suck their thumbs when they want to be comforted. If your child sucks their thumb when they’re tired, try letting her or him nap longer.
• Praise your child for not sucking on their pacifier or fingers. Create a chart and reward them for a change in behavior.
• Find alternative ways to help your child relax. You can offer them a blanket, or special toy to play with instead.
• Reminder finger polish, like Mavala Stop, available at www.amazon.com, has a bitter taste which serves as a reminder not to place fingers or thumb in the mouth. Mavala Stop is applied regularly 2-3 times a day on the nail and surrounding skin. This helps the child to become aware of their habit to help them to stop.

When Should I Be Worried About My Child’s Thumb Sucking?

At your child’s dental appointment we will assess your child’s dental needs and discuss any questions and concerns you have about your child’s development. Visit us at our office conveniently located next to Fashion Island in Newport Beach, CA.

Board certified pediatric dentists, Drs. Fisher & Surger, and their pediatric dental team are here to help you every step of the way.

Early Teething Symptoms

At first, your child may experience some discomfort and irritability, accompanied by a lot of biting or chewing on hard objects and drooling.

Additionally, your infant may show signs of gum swelling and tenderness and may refuse food and have sleepless or restless nights.

If you notice signs of fever, diarrhea, or rash, please call your pediatrician.

Baby Teething Remedies

To help with this discomfort and pain, you can give your baby a firm rubber teething ring to chew on. Avoid liquid-filled teething rings or any plastic objects that might break.

You can also gently rub your child’s gums with a wet washcloth. Cool or soft foods are ideal during the teething stage. If it seems to help, you can also give your child a bottle with cool water but try to avoid using formula, milk or juice for comfort as they can cause dental decay.

Teething Order

Teething typically begins at 6 to 8 months old, although some infants might not have their first tooth until 12 to 14 months. The two bottom front teeth (lower incisors) will usually erupt first, followed by the top front teeth (upper incisors). The other incisors, lower and upper molars, canines and lastly the upper and lower second molars will come in.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

Baby teeth, or primary teeth, are very important to your child’s health and development. They help your child chew, speak and smile. Your baby was born with all twenty teeth below their gum. The baby teeth hold space in your child’s jaw for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, it can cause the permanent tooth to drift into the empty space and create problems with crowding or crooked teeth.

Contact Drs. Fisher & Surger

It is important to start your child’s dental care by the first erupted tooth or no later than their first birthday. At Fisher & Surger Pediatric Dentistry, we can provide tips to comfort your child during the teething process.

What should we do?
You can be assured that this is a fairly common occurrence with children and if addressed early is usually easy to treat without any future ongoing problems. If your child has two rows of teeth, first check the baby tooth to see if it is loose. If it is loose, encourage your child to wash their hands with soap and then wiggle the tooth until it falls out. Sometimes the permanent tooth erupts and the baby tooth is not budging. If this is the case, call or e-mail us to discuss the next step. Your child may need to have the tooth removed or given an extra wiggle by the dentist.

What happens if we do nothing?
If your child has two rows of teeth, the permanent teeth will start to deflect and move out of their natural position, which could lead to more future orthodontic care.

Our mouth harbor a host of microorganisms. When you are brushing your teeth, these bacteria can be transferred to your toothbrush. Microorganisms present in the place where you store your brush can also be transferred to your toothbrush. This is the reason why, how and where you store your toothbrushes is crucial.

Below are some tips on how to properly store your family’s toothbrushes:

Consider where to place. If you place your toothbrushes on the counter, make sure they are stored away from the sink and the toilet. Just imagine, every time you’re flushing the toilet, germs can drift and float through the air. You don’t want those germs to be landing on your toothbrush, right? Also, be sure to store your toothbrushes away from the sink to avoid splashing dirty water and soap to your toothbrush.

Do not share toothbrushes. Each member of the family must have their own toothbrush. Sharing must be discouraged. When you share toothbrush, you introduce microorganisms and bacteria into mouths. Remember that microorganisms from your mouth can be transferred to your toothbrush. Hence, never share and make sure that wherever you store them, there is enough space so the toothbrushes won’t touch.

Air it out. Placing your toothbrush in a closed container promotes bacterial and microbial growth. Also, bacteria and germs love dark, damp places. Putting a cover on your brush after using means it will not dry out fast. Putting your toothbrush on a toothbrush holder is ideal as there will be enough airflow for the toothbrush to dry out. Be sure to air it out in an upright position.

Change your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. Your toothbrush must be changed every three to four months. The bristles become worn and frayed and so, effectiveness of cleaning may decrease. Check your kid’s brushes for this type of wear and replace them if necessary. Another benefit of replacing toothbrush is that it reduces the number of bacteria to which your family is exposed.

Clean toothbrush before and after use. Be sure to clean it regularly to prevent accumulation of dust, bacteria and other elements that could contaminate it. Rinsing the toothbrush using an antibacterial mouthwash before use may prevent or reduce how quickly bacteria accumulate on toothbrushes. You may also soak toothbrush in an antibacterial mouthwash after use to reduce the number of bacteria that grow on toothbrushes.

Don’t: Put Sugary Drinks in Your Child’s Baby Bottle
Putting sugary beverages such as fruit juice or sports drinks in your infant’s bottle is not recommended. High amounts of sugar can lead to tooth decay and cause more dental problems as their teeth begin to appear. Cavities in baby teeth can also cause complications in new adult teeth.
Do: Wipe out Their Mouth after Meals
With a damp, clean cloth, wipe out your child’s mouth 15 minutes after each meal – liquid or solid. Doing so keeps their mouth free of sugar and debris that can lead to cavities. A Xylitol wipe, like Spiffies, is great on-the-go option as well.

Don’t: Send Them to Bed with a Bottle
While a bedtime bottle may comfort your infant, it can be very destructive for their gums and developing teeth. When left in your children’s mouth, sugar from formula and milk can lead to tooth decay.
Do: Let Them to Have a Drink before Bed
A good way to get your child off of the bedtime bottle is by giving them a long drink before bedtime. Try to get into a routine that allows them to sip from their bottle before brushing their teeth. This sort of routine will get them accustomed to having a drink right before bed, and prevent them from craving a bedtime bottle.

Don’t: Heat Their Bottle in the Microwave
Microwaves are convenient and quick, but they shouldn’t be used to heat a bottle full of formula. Not only does a microwave heat formula unevenly, it can get formula too hot to drink. Additionally, the extreme heat from microwaves can damage and wear plastic baby bottles.
Do: Heat Their Bottle in a Pot of Warm Water
The best way to warm bottled formula is in a pot full of water upon the stove. To do this, fill a pot that is tall enough to completely cover their bottle. Warm the pot on a low-medium setting for a few minutes. Then, place the bottle in the water and let it heat up for 1 – 2 minutes. Before serving your infant, check the temperature of the formula by putting a dab on the inside of your forearm to make sure that it isn’t too hot.

Don’t: Let Them Walk around with Their Baby Bottle or Toothbrush
As your child begins walking, they’ll also begin falling, which is why you shouldn’t let newly mobile children walk with their bottle or toothbrush. Did you know that every 4 hours a child in America visits the hospital because a facial injury as a result of falling while holding a bottle? You can avoid this by not giving them a walking around bottle, and having them sit down before they drink.
Do: Teach them to Drink from Lidless Cups
You should begin weaning your child off of their bottle around the time that they begin walking – typically ages 12 – 18 months. A good way to do this is by transitioning to a sipping cup, or by letting them drink from lidless cups at meal time. There will be some spilling at first, so try to only give your child water, or a sugarless beverage that’s easy to clean. Introducing them to adult cups at an early age will help them rely less upon the bottle, and diminish the likelihood of them sustaining an injury as a result of walking with a baby bottle.

Check up on Cavities Every Six Months
The best way to prevent childhood tooth decay is by establishing a dental home for your child before their first birthday. Familiarizing them with a pediatric dentist early on will help your child get more comfortable visiting the dentist and keeping their mouths clean. After finding a dental home, visit the pediatric dentist every six months to make sure that their mouths are staying clean!

1. Brush and Floss Regularly.
It may seem obvious that we should all brush our teeth twice every day and floss daily to keep our teeth clean, but many people forget that your gums need cleaning, too. Just beneath the gum line, bacteria can make camp for a long visit. Brushing your teeth (and gums) for 2 minutes twice a day will keep your breath crisp and keep your mouth healthy. Be sure to use a soft-bristled brush. Hard bristles can damage gums and create a bigger problem.

2. Use a Tongue Scraper.
Your tongue is a soft, moist incubator for bacteria. Tongue scrapers work to wake to wake up that bacteria and kick them out of bed. Use a tongue scraper after every meal to ensure there are no left overs still hanging around. The less leftover food particles on our tongues mean less fuel for bacteria growth. The advent of disposable tongue scrapers makes this an easy and convenient way to fight bad breath. Gently scrape from the back of your tongue to the tip and throw away.

3. Avoid Smelly (and Sugary) Foods.
What we put in our mouths can make a huge difference in the outcome of our breath. Sugars from soda, candy and desserts feed the bacteria that give our breath its distinct smell. Try avoiding sugary drinks and candies as much as possible and replacing them with sugar-free gum. This increases the natural saliva flow in our mouths, which is a natural mouth cleanser.

4. Don’t Neglect Regular Cleanings.
That feeling of a completely clean mouth cannot be matched by any home cleaning. Staying on top of your oral hygiene can make a big difference for mouth odor, but there is only so much you’re able do at home. Dentists and professional dental hygienists know all the nooks and crannies that bacteria like to hide in. Going to your regular dental appointments, every six months, will ensure that any spots that you cannot take care of in your daily cleaning regiment are properly tended to.