Hi FIT4MOM friends,
My name is Emily Markle and I am a general dentist at Lippian Family Dentistry. I am a Texarkana native. I grew up and graduated from Redwater ISD then went on to complete my undergrad at SAU in Magnolia, AR. I married my high school sweetheart, Josh, in 2015 and we moved to Houston, TX one month later. This move allowed me to follow my dream of being a dentist. I graduated from University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston in 2019. We moved back home and I have been with Lippian Family Dentistry since. I am a proud mom to Hudson, who is 15 months old. He is the light of our lives. We also have 3 dogs and a cat that always keep the house in chaos.
I am so excited to be on the blog this month answering some dental questions for my fellow FIT4MOMs so let's get started!
*Disclaimer: I will be quoting from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA). If you have further questions follow up with your personal dental provider or come see me at Lippian Family Dentistry- We truly have the BEST team!
When should my child start seeing a dentist and how often?
We recommend your baby see the dentist by age 1 or no later than 6 months after their first tooth emerges. This is not a hard/fast rule. At these first few visits we are trying to get your child acclimated to the environment in the office and educate the parents on dental hygiene and good dental habits. Don’t stress about this appointment or about how your baby will act. They will probably cry and it's okay, it helps us see all their teeth! I promise the earlier you start the habit of going every 6 months the easier it will become!
What toothpaste do you recommend for toddlers?
I tell parents any toothpaste with fluoride is our favorite. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay. Experiment with different brands or flavors until you find one your kid tolerates. Some kids are sensitive to flavors. Some brands make unflavored options, but this may be a little harder to find. You can get it on Amazon if all else fails. Parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Once children are 3 to 6 years old, then the amount should be increased to a pea-sized dollop. Perform or assist in your child’s tooth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively.
Does misalignment of baby teeth indicate future problems with adult teeth?
So, not always! As dentists we love to see spaced out baby teeth. This lets us know there will be plenty of room for the adult teeth. When baby teeth are misaligned or very crowded this can sometimes foreshadow crowding or misalignment in the permanent teeth due to spacing. This is another reason seeing the dentist every 6 months is so important. They can intercept these things and send for an orthodontist consult if braces are necessary! Orthodontists prefer seeing patients for an initial exam around 7 years old if crowding or concerns are apparent. Your dentist can help guide you on these issues.
How important is flossing?
Flossing is SO important. It gets the worst reputation because it feels like a chore, trust me I think so too! But it is the only thing that effectively will clean plaque & bacteria in between your teeth. If plaque and bacteria is left in between the teeth, it can lead to cavities in between the teeth or tartar buildup that can lead to gum disease. One tip to make flossing easier is to get the floss picks and put them in your car or shower. You will be amazed at how much more likely you are to remember to floss when stuck in traffic or in your daily shower.
What if I miss a night or two of brushing my toddler’s teeth?
Mama, don’t stress! Jump back on the wagon the next day! When first starting to brush your kid’s teeth, you have to form a habit just like with yourself and that’s hard. Set an alarm or do it during bedtime to help get it in to the routine. You got this!
Any tricks for brushing toddler’s teeth?
Whew, this is one of those tough things no one told you about motherhood! What has worked for us is letting him brush, then I brush and we pass it back and forth. We cheer every time he lets us brush. It's not always perfect but something is better than nothing. Some kids do well with brushing while in the bathtub. Experiment with different toothpastes to find one they enjoy as well. Honestly too, there are nights he cries and I just have to prop his mouth open and do it anyway. It's all about habits and I’m hopeful it gets easier! LOL
Just remember children cannot effectively brush their teeth alone until they can tie their shoes, the dexterity is just not there. So, as they get more independent just make sure you “spot check” and brush as well.
Is it OK for my child to drink sweet tea or orange juice or milk?
Yes! But in moderation and please remember they need to drink water following all sweet beverages and never put a sweet drink or juice or milk at night in a bottle or sippy cup. The longer the sweet drink stays on the teeth the more likely you are going to see brown or white spots forming. These are tiny cavities. Brush and floss for prevention!
Thank you guys for your questions! The AAPD has great resources on their website if you have more questions or just want to browse. Thanks for having me!
Cheers,
Emily Markle, DDS