Now They Can Do It On Their Own

For your kids ages 5-7, now is the time to encourage them to become independent brushers.

• Reinforce 2-minute brushing 2 times a day (in the morning and before bed)
• Use a child's toothbrush in order to reach the hard-to-reach back molars where plaque can collect
• Use a child-safe fluoride toothpaste for cavity protection and remind him/her not to swallow it
• Begin flossing as soon as 2 teeth touch.  Use floss holders or help your child floss until he/she gains dexterity to do it on his/her own

Help Your Toddlers Become Brushing Experts

image:  FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For your toddler (ages 2-4), it is important to help them figure out how to brush on their own.  Here are a few tips:

• Once your child understands not to swallow toothpaste, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to help prevent cavities
• Brush 2 times a day for 2 minutes 
• Try to break thumb-sucking and pacifier habits by age 4, since they can affect tooth spacing
• Schedule regular dental check-ups every 6 months
• Be sure that you are still the primary "brusher" but let your toddler try it out so that they get comfortable brushing. 

Your Baby's Oral Health Care

From the time your baby begins getting teeth it  is important to begin taking care of them.  Anywhere from the ages of 4 months to 2 years old parents should:

• Wipe gums with a soft washcloth after feeding.  This removes plaque and germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
• Once baby teeth come in, brush teeth two times a day with water and a soft-bristle toothbrush
• Schedule the first dental check-up before his/her first birthday
• Do not let your baby fall asleep while drinking milk with a bottle

Children's Dental Health

We look forward to Children's Dental Health month every year!  It is a great opportunity to "raise awareness about the importance of dental health...Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums." ADA.org.

All month long Dr. Travis Evans gets to visit local elementary schools to help teach your children about their dental health.  It is something that kids always love and look forward to every year.  Please visit our blog throughout this month for more on National Children's Health Month!

Football Mouth Guard Clinic Pictures!

We all had a nice summer here in Tualatin and hope that you all did, too! In July we were able to see many of our patients at our Football Mouth Guard Clinic to help make free mouth guards to all football players in the Tualatin Football League. Thank you to everyone who came! As you can see, we had a lot of fun and hope you did, too!

Kris running the check-in table

Melissa and Diana working hard!

Diane and Linda helping to make impressions.

Lauren

Jenna

Melissa as Dr. Rick watches on the sidelines

Happy Halloween!

Don't forget to brush!!

Big News!

We are always looking for ways to improve and make your time here with us as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Because of this, we have recently updated our office by introducing new technology and beginning the process of going paperless!  As part of this transition, our office is the first in Oregon to buy the newest x-ray sensors available that provides the most detail for dental x-rays ever!!  And it's all for you, our patients! We really appreciate your patience and understanding while we continue to learn these new systems to make your experience better and your time spent with us more efficient.  Thank you!