Preventive Dentistry For Kids

Fighting Back Against Cavities, Gum Disease, And More

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Matt Griffith and our team focus on educating kids about the importance of brushing and flossing, equipping parents with knowledge about important dental concepts, and providing gentle, child-friendly care for patients of all ages.

Prevention is always our #1 goal. With routine visits to our office, great at-home oral hygiene, and a “tooth-healthy” lifestyle for your little one, you can dramatically reduce their risk of tooth decay (cavities). With our help, you can keep your child’s smile healthy and bright for years to come.

When Should Dental Visits Start For My Child?

We recommend that you bring your child to see Dr. Matt for the first time within 6 months of the eruption of their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This is the timeline recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD).

During their first visit, Dr. Matt will clean your child’s teeth and examine their mouth. Then, he will answer any questions you may have about dental hygiene, oral development, and caring for your child’s smile.

How Often Does My Child Need Dental Checkups?

The frequency any patient should be seen by a dentist for regular check-ups should be based on the dentist's caries risk assessment for that patient. Caries risk assessment is a fancy way of saying, "how likely a patient is to get a cavity." Every patient is unique and therefor every patient's caries risk assessment is unique. Dr. Matt follows the caries risk assessment guidelines provided to him by  the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to determine how often your child should be seen for routine check-ups,  x-rays, and cleanings. Dr. Matt typically recommends most children under 12 years of age be seen every 6 months to not only prevent cavities, but to also get them used to going to the dentist. By checking in every 6 months, this will allow him to incrementally build rapport and hopefully some trust with your child such that if they ever do need his help treating a cavity, they'll allow him to help them because he's had time to establish they can trust him.

Cleanings remove plaque and tartar build-up reducing your child's risk of cavities. Oral exams allow Dr. Matt to look for signs of tooth decay, oral developmental issues, and other dental problems. X-rays are important because they allow us to look below the surface of your child's teeth and gums. Routine x-rays allow the team at Kona Pediatric Dentistry to spot the early stages of tooth decay, identify oral developmental issues, and much more.

Understanding Cavities – The Most Common Disease In Kids

Tooth decay (also called “cavities” or “caries”) is the single most common chronic disease both for kids and adults. But with proper at-home oral hygiene and regular checkups at the dentist, you can dramatically reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay.
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• It starts with food particles – Cavities start with food particles, particularly carbohydrates. If these particles remain on your child’s teeth after mealtimes, they become a tasty snack for the harmful bacteria in their mouths. This is particularly true at night, when saliva flow is reduced.
  
  
• Bacteria consume food and excrete acid – As bacteria eat the particles of food on your child’s teeth, they begin to digest it. As part of the digestive process, the bacteria release acid that begins to attack the teeth.
  
  
• Acid weakens teeth, causing decay – Tooth enamel is very strong. But over time, acid buildup wears down the mineral structure of enamel, causing it to soften and weaken. Eventually, this can lead to a hole (cavity) in the structure of the tooth.
  
  

While there are lots of things that can help prevent cavities, including a healthy diet and lifestyle, and checkups with the dentist, prevention starts at home. A great brushing and flossing routine can dramatically reduce your child’s risk of tooth decay.
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When Do I Need To Start Brushing My Child’s Teeth?

As soon as they have teeth to brush! When your child’s first tooth emerges, you’ll need to start brushing it after feedings and mealtimes. Here are some tips that will help you take better care of their smile.
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Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste

No matter your child’s age, they should use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is essential for preventing cavities and strengthening teeth. 

For kids up to three years old, you should use a dab of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. There’s no need to have your child spit it out since you’re not using very much.

For kids over three years old or who know how to spit on command, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
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Choose a brush with a small tip and a large, comfortable handle

For kids up to the age of four, it may be easiest to lie them down on a couch, ottoman, or bed for better access to clean their teeth in the back. Studies have shown that most kids don't actually effectively learn to rinse and spit until 6-7 years of age so we can anticipate any toothpaste we put on their toothbrush they're just going to eat. As long as we're using the correct amount of fluoride containing toothpaste based on their age, we're not going to give them too much to harm them. Dr. Matt is more concerned with parents getting the proper access to brushing and flossing the teeth in the back (where statistically most cavities will occur) than worried about parents feeling the need to be tethered to a sink so their child can rinse and spit.
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Find the right floss for your child

Traditional, old school, "string" dental floss is superior to the floss picks with the handles and Dr. Matt cautions parents from using those as they can be misleading in their efficacy. He advises parents to steer clear of those flossers and he's more than happy to explain why in person.
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Don’t forget about flossing

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends parents assist and or chaperone their children with both brushing and flossing until 7-8 years old. Dr. Matt recommends parents continue to brush and floss their children's teeth for them until the parents feel like the child would do a good job brushing and flossing the parents teeth without the parent going over it afterwards. The takeaway is this; if you wouldn't trust your child with your smile, don't you dare take the training wheels off too soon and trust them with theirs!
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When Can My Child Start Brushing On Their Own?

Your child can start brushing and flossing their teeth on their own at 8 years of age or when you feel like they would do a good job brushing and flossing your teeth without you going over it afterwards.
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Watch their technique

Make sure your child holds their toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. They should thoroughly clean the fronts, backs, and tops of their teeth, as well as the gum line where their teeth meet their gums. It should take about two minutes for them to brush their teeth thoroughly.
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Make it a family affair

It’s best to supervise your child until they're about eight years old. One way to make things a bit more fun is to brush as a family. You can sing songs, play games, and spend quality time with your little ones while still keeping an eye on their brushing habits. This is a great way to lead by example, too!
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Don’t forget about flossing (again)

Flossing is a little more complicated than brushing. Most kids won’t be able to floss on their own until they're 8 years old or maybe older. So once they're done brushing, you’ll still need to floss their teeth until they're ready to learn proper flossing techniques from Dr. Matt and the team at Kona Pediatric Dentistry!
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Take Control Of Your Child’s Oral Health At Our Office

At Kona Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Matt Griffith and our team are always here to help you keep your child’s smile healthy and strong as they grow. Whether you’re new to the area or just new to our office, we would love to meet you and your family. Give us a call or contact us online to book your child’s first visit and see the difference that expert pediatric dental care can make for your little one.

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