A kid’s smile is their gateway to the world and keeping their teeth clean and healthy plays an important role in their overall well-being. That’s why Katherine Chin, DDS, a pediatric dentist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, sees education as a key part of her work. Dr. Chin shares her insights on best dental care practices, common myths and more.

The basics of dental care 

Why is oral health so important?  

Our mouths often act as a mirror, giving us key information about our overall health. Oral issues such as gum disease and sores can signal systemic problems including diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune disorders and more.

Our teeth play an important role in speech, nutrition and digestion. Healthy teeth help keep us feeling our best. By brushing and flossing twice a day for 1 to 2 minutes, we can stop plaque from causing cavities, gum decay and inflammation.

What is a cavity? 

A cavity is a weak spot in a tooth caused by the buildup of bacteria (plaque) in your mouth. This bacteria turns sugar into acid. If that acid is not removed by minerals in your saliva and through proper brushing, it damages our teeth.

“When plaque is removed within 24 to 48 hours, it can be easily brushed away with a toothbrush. If you leave it on there, the plaque becomes hardened, also known as tartar,” Dr. Chin says. “Once it becomes tartar, it needs to be professionally cleaned. Brushing and flossing regularly can prevent this.” 

If left untreated, plaque and tartar can lead to cavities. 

Why is my baby getting cavities?  

Babies can get cavities just like anyone else, usually for the same reasons such as consuming too much sugar, not brushing teeth daily and not getting enough fluoride. However, there are some baby-specific things to keep in mind. Dr. Chin says both breastmilk and formula have sugar, so if your baby falls asleep with milk in their mouth, that can cause cavities. To avoid this, Dr. Chin recommends wiping your baby’s gums and brushing their teeth after each feeding. You can brush their teeth with a small smear of fluoride toothpaste, approximately the size of a grain of rice for infants and toddlers. Babies can get cavities from other people’s saliva, so it’s important to avoid sharing cups and spoons with your baby and to avoid using your saliva to clean their pacifiers.

What is a filling? 

Dentists remove cavities with special instruments and place a filling material into the hole. These are used for small cavities. For larger cavities, dentists place crowns. Crowns go around the whole tooth to help prevent future cavities.

What is gum disease? 

Gum disease, like cavities, is caused by plaque that’s left on the tooth. Gum disease is inflammation and infection of your gums and the bone that supports your teeth.

Common questions about routine dental care and visits 

When do I need to start taking my child to the dentist? 

A child’s first dental appointment is a milestone. You should make an appointment by the time your child turns 1 or when their first tooth comes in. If you think your baby might need to see a dentist before then, contact your primary care provider or the Children’s Hospital Colorado Dental Center.

When does my child need to start using toothpaste? 

Once your child has their first tooth, you can start using a small smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to help prevent cavities. 

How can I make sure my kids are safely using dental products?  

There are a wide variety of dental products available to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. Here are some tips on how to use them properly.

Toothpaste: The amount of toothpaste used depends on your child’s ability to spit out their own toothpaste. If they can’t spit it out on their own, apply a rice-sized grain of toothpaste to a soft-bristled brush. If your child can spit out their toothpaste, they can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Gently brush all surfaces for 2 minutes. You’ll likely have to help your child brush until age 7 or 8. Be sure to store fluoride toothpaste away from young children. While it makes teeth stronger, it needs to be used in the recommended amounts and not eaten. 

Mouthwash: Children under 6 years old should not use mouthwash. If your child is older and they want to use mouthwash, ensure they spit it out without swallowing. You should always store mouth wash away from children.

Floss: Flossing can begin when your child’s teeth touch each other. You’ll need to help them until they are ready to do it on their own, usually around ages 8 to 10. It’s important to keep floss out of reach of children until they can use it correctly.

I’ve heard about fluoride in the news recently. What is fluoride and is it safe?  

Fluoride is a natural occurring mineral found in water, soil and plants. Fluoride adds minerals in your teeth and helps keep weak spots from growing. Think of it as nature’s defense against cavities.

“There are two common ways to get fluoride - through water and through toothpaste. When you get fluoride in your drinking water in a very low amount consistent with the American Dental Association recommendations, fluoride helps form healthy teeth,” Dr. Chin says.

Why is it important to go to the dentist every 6 months? 

“The twice-yearly visits are really important to catch cavities and tooth decay early. This helps us keep them small and possibly reverse them,” Dr. Chin says. “When they become large, our options are more limited. The other important reason to go to the dentist every 6 months is for education, fluoride treatments and a professional cleaning. Things like tartar can only be removed by a professional.”

What’s the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?  

A family dentist is a general dentist that provides care for children and adults. A pediatric dentist is a board-certified children’s dental specialist. This requires an extra 2-year residency training, beyond dental school. Pediatric dentists are taught how to treat young children, children with disabilities, children who may be scared to go to the dentist and more complex needs.

“There are a lot of general dentists that have kid-friendly offices,” Dr. Chin says. “Just because ‘kids’ is in the name doesn’t mean it’s a pediatric dentistry. It’s important to check.” 

You can find a board-certified pediatric dentist through abpd.org. 

At what age should my child see an orthodontist? 

Often, your child’s dentist will notify you of any problems and recommend that your child sees an orthodontist. The orthodontist can help with braces or other therapies to correct any jaw or teeth alignment problems.

Some kids see an orthodontist for the first time when they turn 6, others not until 10 years old or as a teenager. A general guideline is that most children should see an orthodontist at least once by the time their permanent teeth start coming in, usually around age 7.

Helping kids build healthy dental habits  

How can I get my child to enjoy brushing and flossing? 

You understand how important taking care of one’s teeth is, but your little one probably views teeth-brushing as a chore. It only takes 2 minutes and is important for their overall health. Children are motivated by fun, so tap into that with a few simple tricks. 

Play copycat. Bring your child into the bathroom with you while you brush your teeth. Exaggerate your movements, show excitement, make funny faces while brushing and encourage your child to mimic you. 

Make brushing a part of bath time. If your child loves bath time, try brushing their teeth before, so that getting into the tub is a reward. Or brush their teeth while they’re actually taking their bath — they might be more receptive when they’re feeling playful and relaxed. 

Turn the toothbrush into a toy. Have your child brush their favorite stuffed animal’s “teeth” or switch roles and have them brush your teeth for a change.

Go online. Look up a brushing song to sing together as part of your routine, have them watch a video of other kids brushing their teeth or find a book that shows colorful and engaging characters brushing their teeth. This is a good way to time them too — you can say, “brush until the end of the song.” 

Remind them “it only takes two minutes.” Remind your child that brushing their teeth is necessary, not a choice. Think about making their bedtime routine 15 minutes earlier and don’t wait until it’s so late that you and your child are tired.

Your child cannot do a good job cleaning their teeth without your help. Start small, offer your child choices whenever possible, keep at it and avoid getting sucked into a power struggle. Your child will eventually catch on that brushing is a regular activity. 

My child doesn’t want to brush their teeth after breakfast. Is it more important to have them brush before or after they eat?  

While it’s probably slightly better to brush after breakfast, the most important thing is that your child always brushes their teeth in the morning. 

“There’s a lot of plaque that builds overnight,” Dr. Chin says. “If you brush after breakfast that’s great, but if you want to get up and brush right away that’s okay too.” 

How can I help my kid if they’re afraid to go to the dentist?  

Pediatric dentists are trained to make appointments easy, fun and kid friendly. They focus on helping kids feel comfortable and confident during every visit — which can go a long way in shaping how children view dental care as they grow.

“It’s important to talk about all the positive ways that dentists want to help kids by checking their teeth and teaching them how to keep their teeth healthy,” Dr. Chin says. “It’s important if the parent hasn’t had positive experiences that they don’t share their negative experiences.”