We Love Families!

Dr. Hurley is very proud of the number of three-generation families that she serves. As parents Dr. Hurley and her team know the importance of keeping your children healthy. We enjoy children and look forward to helping them take care of their teeth and learn about their oral health. It is exciting to watch them grow up as healthy and happy adults. The following are tips on how to take care of your children’s teeth.

DENTAL TIPS FOR CARING FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S TEETH

• Please bring in your child by age three. We make the first visit fun. If you wait until something is hurting they will not have a positive experience about going to the dentist. It will be harder to get them to cooperate.
• Please bring them in twice a year for a cleaning and check up. Little problems become bigger problems quite rapidly. Baby teeth are very important as they hold the spaces for the erupting permanent teeth that start erupting at about 6 years of age. They help with proper speech, and chewing their food.
• Please start cleaning their teeth as soon as they erupt. You can use a wet washcloth and as they get older you can use a soft toothbrush. My son and I used to play a game to have him cooperate with brushing. I would first brush his teeth and then he would get to be the dentist and brush mine.
• Please do not put the baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The sugars from the milk or juice remain on the teeth and can cause decay known as bottle mouth. Do not let the child walk around with a bottle or sippy cup during the day filled with juice or soda. Water is acceptable. Do not have them use a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey.
• Let them watch you brush and floss. Brush and floss their teeth. As they get better manual dexterity they can brush and floss their own teeth. Usually children achieve the manual dexterity to floss by about age 8.
• New Jersey is mostly NOT fluoridated. Please check with your water company to see if they are fluoridated and at what level. Your child will need a prescription from me or the pediatrician for fluoride supplements. Fluoride supplements start at about 6 months of age. Please use a toothpaste
  containing fluoride. A small pea size shape goes a long way.
• Home fluoride rinses can also be used once the child is capable of spitting out any excess.
• If your child has a PERMANENT tooth knocked out, place in milk and DO NOT clean off the tooth as it has tiny fibers that help reattach the tooth. Try to hold it by the crown of the tooth and not the root.
• Prevention is the key! If your child is playing sports a mouthguard is mandatory. They can be purchased at a sports store or custom fabricated at the dental office.