The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry along with the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommend that a child’s first visit to the dentist occur no later than their first birthday. The most important reason for this is to begin a thorough prevention program. At our office we refer to the first appointment as a “well baby check” and the visit is free of charge. Our goal is to provide information on how to begin caring for your child’s teeth.
Regular dental visits help your child stay cavity free. Teeth cleanings remove debris that build up on the teeth, irritate the gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the fluoride content in the enamel, strengthening teeth and preventing cavities. Hygiene instructions improve your child’s brushing and flossing, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums. Early preventive care will lead to less extensive, and less expensive dental treatment for your child.
At home clean your child’s teeth and gums with a soft infant toothbrush and water or a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Unless advised by a dentist, do not use fluoridated toothpaste until your child is able to spit the majority of their toothpaste out, generally not until at least 3 years of age or older. Remember that most children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth on their own effectively. Even as children become more independent continue to help with tooth brushing.
Dental caries is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States. It is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Statistics show that between 30 to 40% of 3-year-old children has at least one cavity. Once children have reached elementary school the percentage of children with at least one cavity is around 50%. Remember that some baby teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 to 14 years of age. These teeth serve a number of critical functions. Primary teeth:
• Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly
• Are involved in speech development
• Help the permanent teeth by saving space and guiding them into place.
• A healthy smile can also help children feel good about the way they look to others.

For further information regarding your child’s dental needs please go to our website at
davispediatricdds.com or call our office at 760-942-1131.

The American Dental Association (ADA) confirms that infant formula should not be mixed with “optimally” fluoridated water so as to prevent fluoride discolored teeth (fluorosis), according to a November 2009 ADA News Release posted on the internet. (1) This reaffirms a 2006 ADA e-gram (1a) and similar Centers for Disease Control Advisory (1b).

Fluoride chemicals are added to about 70% of US public water supplies and some bottled waters ostensibly to reduce tooth decay.

“Infants who are only fed powdered and liquid concentrate formulas mixed with optimally fluoridated water (0.7 to 1.2 ppm) are likely to exceed a fluoride intake level established by the Institute of Medicine designed to reduce the risk of moderate to severe enamel fluorosis [brown stained and/or pitted teeth],” reports the ADA.

The ADA defines moderate fluorosis as “All tooth surfaces affected; marked wear on biting surfaces; brown stain may be present” and severe fluorosis as “All tooth surfaces affected; discrete or confluent pitting; brown stain present.” (2) Mild fluorosis is white spotted teeth affecting about 25% to 50% of tooth surfaces.

“Parents should call their water companies to learn their water fluoride levels,” says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF) “If fluoride is added, they should demand it be stopped,” Beeber advises.

For example, one small jar of baby food made with mechanically separated chicken delivers more fluoride than a 6-month-old child should receive in an entire day, according to a Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Study.

“People must restore the safety of their public water supplies and protect their children by joining together locally to demand that their town or city councils stop adding unnecessary fluoride chemicals into the public water supplies,” says Beeber. “Parents who want fluoride for their children can easily obtain it at the drugstore,” says Beeber. “But we don’t recommend fluoride at all.”

The USDA lists the fluoride content of some common foods here: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=6312