Your baby is teething?? Why don’t you get your baby a Tlismi Moti??

A very known and common notion among parents, Tlismi Moti or amber teething necklaces are not something you would want your child to use after reading the following reasons.

When your child is in pain you might think of all the possible reasons you can to just stop the pain, and when the big words like, this is ancient and ancestral, this is something natural, it will boost your child’s immunity, sets in, you might just start using it without thinking twice.

But the best thing to do now a days is, explore about it in detail first, rather that just listening to some neighborhood aunty and doing the same for your child.

The FDA in December 2018, recommended against the use of any kind of teething jewelry for kids, adults, or even people with special needs. They mentioned in their study that they have even received reports of death and serious injuries to infants and children, including strangulation and choking, caused by teething jewelry, such as amber teething necklaces.

What is teething jewelry??

Teething jewelry can be anything from a necklace, anklet or a bracelet which is worn by the baby or the adult, and is claimed to soothe the teething pain. It can be made up of wood, amber marble or silicone.

The most common teething jewelry available and use by parents in India is the Tlismi Moti. The Tlismi Moti is claimed to be used since the ancient times and has a combination of 5 metals in exact proportion. It is believed to be a natural harmonizer of energies around the oral cavity, thus relieving the teething pain.

There are the amber teething necklaces available in the market which is made up of baltic amber, which is obtained from the fossilized tree resins. They are converted into beads and are worn around the child’s neck. It contains some percentage of succinic acid which is thought to relieve teething pain. But there is no scientific evidence claiming the same.

But is that true??

Does the teething jewelry work or is it even safe??

There are so many misconceptions among parents when we talk about teething. Since the teething jewelry has been introduced since the ancient time, it is still thought upon as the best method to relieve the pain. But does it really help? Or does it impose some kind of risk?

Here are few of the reasons you should totally avoid using the teething jewelry for your child.

Strangulation Hazard

Anything worn around the baby’s neck is not safe. The teething necklaces when worn around the neck of the baby can strangulate or suffocate the baby especially when it is a little tight.

If you are using it for your child, make sure to use it only under supervision. Remove it as soon as the baby is alone, even if for a very short period of time. Make sure to remove it during the sleeping time, whether it is in the day or night.

Choking Hazard

If you are using the jewelry as a bracelet or an anklet, the child can very easily put it in the mouth and the beads might come loose and choke the baby.

So, it is again a big NO.

Only use the jewelry under adult supervision,if you want to.

Source of Harmful Bacteria

The teething jewelry is in the constant contact with the skin, and the skin naturally has bacteria which can get colonized on the teething jewelry thus causing infection to the child.

A research done at a French hospital, showed that there was colonization of bacteria on all the examined necklaces which pose a health hazard to the child, and thus should be avoided.

Injury to the Gums

The teething jewelry can cause injury to the gums when the child tries to put it in the mouth. If any corner is sharp, it might pierce the gums causing bleeding, pain and discomfort to the child. The child might even get intraoral infections.

What is the alternative to Teething Jewelry?

There are a lot of other things you can do to soothe the teething pain your bundle of joy is going through.

1. 1. Use teethers. For the best teethers available, you can visit our link.
2. 2. Use a wash cloth
3. 3. A gentle massage on the gums
4. 4. Fruit nibblers
5. 5. Milk popsicles
6. 6. Become your baby’s chew toy
7. 7. Medication

Good Read: 9 home remedies to soothe teething pain

So, to conclude this, teething jewelry has scientifically less benefits and more troubles and the best thing to do when your baby is teething is to use the other methods to relieve the teething pain in kids.

Disclaimer

This blog provides general information and discussion about dentistry and other health related topics. The opinions and content expressed on this blog are for general conversational purposes only and should not be interpreted as dental or medical advice pertaining to any particular individual. If the reader or any other person has a dental or medical concern, he or she should consult with an appropriately-licensed dentist, physician or other health care provider.

Most of the parents come to us at 32 Sparklets or ask us questions on social media that do we need to start brushing our kids teeth and which is the best toothpaste we can use for the child??

And the answer is YES! Each tooth in the mouth is important and is there for a purpose, whether it is a milk tooth or a permanent tooth. So, it is very very important to start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts in the baby’s mouth. In fact it is very important to start cleaning the baby’s gums and tongue from the first day of birth.

Starting early is the key. Brushing twice a day is a must to have a good oral hygiene and preserve the milk teeth which are important to later have healthy permanent teeth.

Other doubts are pertaining to the toothpaste. Should we use a fluoride free toothpaste or a fluoridated toothpaste for our child?? When should we start using the toothpaste?? Which is the best toothpaste available?? My child doesn’t know how to spit, so should I be still using a tooth paste??

Here this post will help you solve all the doubts regarding what, when, how much of the toothpaste you need to use for your child.

When Should I start brushing my child’s teeth?

Brushing of kids teeth should start as soon as the first tooth erupts in the baby’s mouth. When the child drinks milk or eats food, it starts getting deposited on the surface of the tooth, whether it is a single tooth or many teeth. So, to remove these deposits we need to brush the child’s teeth. If ignored, the deposits will start demineralising the teeth and causing cavities.

So, we need to start brushing the child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts in the baby’s mouth to preserve them and save the child from the discomfort and the pain.

Do not believe the myths like, “You do not need to brush the baby’s teeth until all of them erupt.” or “Milk teeth are not important as they will eventually fall off.”

Why should I use a toothpaste for brushing my child’s teeth?

Toothbrush alone just cleans the surface of the tooth and removes the deposits. But a best toothpaste will help in protecting the tooth from getting decayed. So, it is very important to clean the child’s teeth with an age appropriate toothpaste, twice a day.

Not only will it clean the tooth and protect it from cavities, but it will also give a freshness in the mouth of the baby.

Can I use an adult toothpaste for my child?

It is a big NO. An adult toothpaste contains approximately 1000ppm of Fluoride, which is not safe if swallowed by children especially under the age of 6 years. It might cause fluorosis. A kids toothpaste contains less than 500ppm of fluoride. If the kids age appropriate toothpaste is used in the correct amount and even if it is swallowed by the child, then there won’t be any harm.

So, it is always preferred to use a kids age appropriate toothpaste.

Which is the best toothpaste for my child?

Any kids age appropriate toothpaste is good for your child. But it is preferred to use a Fluoridated kids toothpaste as directed by ADA in 2014. A correct amount of fluoridated toothpaste will help in preventing cavities by reducing enamel dissolution and increasing fluoride uptake of enamel. It helps in creating a fluoride reservoir, and thus preventing cavities. Kids brushing twice a day with an age appropriate fluoridated toothpaste have considerably less number of cavities than kids brushing only once a day.

So, it is advised to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a kids age appropriate fluoridated toothpaste. most of the toothpastes are age specific, e.g. 0-2 years, 2-6 years, 6 years+. According to the ADA you can use a pea size of adult toothpaste once the child turns 9 years of age.

What amount of toothpaste should I use for my Child?

The most important thing is to decide what amount of toothpaste you should apply on the child’s toothbrush.

• Children Below the Age of 3 Years: Smear (Size of a Rice Grain)
• Children Above the Age of 3 Years: A Pea Size of Toothpaste

Water fluoridation is a step taken by the government in most of the countries to help achieve an optimal fluoride level. But in some places in country like ours (India) the level of fluoride in water is high and therefore fluoridated toothpaste can be avoided to prevent fluorosis.

The best thing to do is visit a dentist and get a proper routine dental examination done once every 6 months and your dentist will guide you which toothpaste you need to use for your child.

Which are the best toothpaste available in the market?

There are a plenty of toothpaste available in the market for your child. But which is the best toothpaste is the question.

1. As mentioned above the best thing to do is check for the ADA or IDA seal on the toothpaste.

2. Check for the fluoride level of the toothpaste (prefer a fluoridated toothpaste)

3. Choose the flavor your child likes the best.

Following is a list of best kids fluoridates toothpastes available in the market:

1. Colgate kids- This toothpaste is available in all the ages and different flavors. You can use a toothpaste according to your child’s favorite flavor.
2. Kidodent- This toothpaste is a non flavored kids fluoridated toothpaste.
3. Cheerio- This toothpaste is from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratory and is a gel based kids fluoridated toothpaste. Personally, my daughter loves it.
4. Tom’s of Maine Children’s Natural Fluoride Toothpaste- This is a ADA accepted natural kids fluoridated toothpaste in different fruit flavored. It doesn’t contain any artificial flavors and preservatives.
5. Aquafresh kids Toothpaste- Not just cavity protection this toothpaste also helps in preventing bad breath. It comes in an amazing bubble gum taste which is one of the favorite among kids.
6. Pediflorkidz Toothpaste- Available in four yummy flavors, this toothpaste helps in providing cavity protection and remineralization.
7. Crest Kids /crest cavity protection- This anti cavity bubble gum flavored gel toothpaste protects your child’s teeth from cavities.

Besides brushing your child’s teeth and using the best toothpaste for your child, their are a few other pointers you need to remember for a healthy and a beautiful smile:

1. 1. Avoid sticky food like chocolate, chips and biscuits.
2. 2. If there is no spacing between your child’s milk teeth flossing is a must. For permanent teeth floss twice a day.
3. 3. Visit a dentist once every 6 months for a routine dental examination. First dental visit of the child should be done within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by the child’s first birthday, whichever is earlier. Also, looking at your child’s teeth your dentist might recommend your the best toothpaste for your child.
4. 4. In case required, your dentist will advise if your child needs fluoride varnish application. If yes, you will have to get it done.

Happy Parenting!

This article contains affiliate links which means I might receive a commission if you purchase an item using these links, but this does not mean you will have to pay something extra for these.

Ever wondered when exactly should you take your child for the first dental visit??

Due to the lack of awareness of dental health and hygiene, we as parents do not stress much on the dental visits. Until and unless there is pain or discomfort with both ourselves as well as our kids, we try to avoid as much as possible.

But this definitely should not be the case. Delaying a dental visit leads to a prolonged and invasive treatment, more discomfort and also more cost is involved.

So, when exactly should you take your child for the first dental visit ??

Your child’s first dental visit should be either at the child’s first birthday or within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth, which ever is early.

Many parents feel that it is not necessary to get the teeth examined.

What possibly can go wrong with the kids teeth?

But, what we need to be aware about is, Early Childhood Caries (ECC). ECC is one of the most common dental problems in children and it can start as soon as the first tooth erupts in the babies mouth.

The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry also agrees that the dental visit of a child should be no later than 12 months of age. It also posses a lot of benefits towards the health of the child.

So, why is first dental visit so important??

1. 1. It helps in detecting any problem related to the dentition, the jaws, the gums and the cheeks.

2. Any early cavities can be detected.

3. Your dentist can help you find out a solution to any of the oral habits, like thumb sucking that your child might be having.

4. The craniofacial development can be evaluated.

5. A tongue tie if present can be detected early.

How to plan for the first dental visit??

1. 1. Plan the visit when your child is most active during the day. Never visit during the nap times. A visit during the morning times ends up being the best ones as the child is fresh.

2. Take an appointment before visiting your pedodontist i.e Kid’s Dentist. This will help in shortening the waiting time for your turn.

3. Feed your baby well before the visit, so that he or she do not feel hungry and get cranky.

4. You yourself need to be relaxed as, if you are worried the child can sense it.

What to expect during the first dental visit??

1. 1. Your dentist will examine the jaws, teeth, gums and all the other oral tissues and let you know if anything is wrong.

2. Your dentist will check for any decay, and advise you on fluoride application in case required.

3. Your dentist will inform you if any of the dietary habits of your baby needs to be changed.

4. Your dentist will advise you regarding the oral habits which your child might be having.

5. Your dentist will help you understand how to maintain a good oral hygiene for your child.

During the dental visit your child might cry due to fear or stranger anxiety or any of the other reasons. But, this is totally fine and you just need to console your child and work it out with your dentist.

A dental visit is as important as a visit to a pediatrician for vaccinations and routine examination. Dental health is as important as the overall health and you should not wait for a problem to be there to visit a dentist.

Happy Parenting!

Have you ever wondered how much bacteria that tiny mouth would be harboring when you just forget to clean it or think it is not important yet??

The day one of the new born’s life starts with intake of milk and this milk keeps depositing on the various surfaces in the mouth, the gums, the cheeks and especially the tongue.

It is parents duty to clean the infant’s tongue at least twice a day without failing to remember, as it is said oral health leads to the overall health.

When you remember to give your new born baby a warm water bath and wash the baby’s head too, then why not clean baby’s mouth every day?

It is important and mandatory to help your child have a clean mouth as important it is for you.

How to clean your infants tongue?

1. First and foremost, wash your hands. A new born baby doesn’t have a good immunity and therefore anything that goes into the child’s mouth should be clean.

2. Hold your baby in one arm till your chest such as you can clearly see the babies mouth.

3. Take a clean gauze piece or a cotton cloth and wrap it around your finger.

4. Dip it in luke warm water. Make sure it is just damp and not soaking wet.

5. Gently open the child’s mouth, by pulling down the lower lip a little and place your finger over the tongue.

6. Rub your finger with minimal pressure in circular motion over the child’s tongue to remove any white deposits that could be the milk.

Tips and Tricks

1. If your child is fussy or not in very good mood at the moment, delay the cleaning for until your child is feeling better.

2. Along with the tongue you can also clean the baby’s gums as well as the cheeks.

3. You can also use a silicone finger brush to clean the tongue instead of the gauze piece

4. If you are unable to remove the white patches, do not put pressure, it can be a fungal infection Candidiasis (Oral Thrush), visit a pediatrician.

5. Distract the child and make him or her laugh before cleaning so that he or she opens the mouth on their own.

6. Once your baby starts getting teeth, start cleaning the tooth, using either a silicone finger brush or a normal kids age appropriate toothbrush from day one.

7. Clean the tongue at least twice a day.

Happy Parenting!

Early childhood caries, also formally known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing bottle caries is one of the most common type of tooth decay seen in infants and toddlers. It is most commonly seen preventable disease in children younger than the age of 6 years.

What is Early Childhood Caries?

Any cavity, of any tooth in any child, younger than 6 years of age is know as Early Childhood Caries.

Severe Early Childhood Caries (S-ECC) is any cavity on the smooth surface of the tooth of a child who is younger than 3 years of age.

So, any tooth that has a cavity in it, in a child less than 6 years of age can be considered under the early childhood caries and parents need to take care to take preventive measure to stop the spread to the other teeth.

But the question is…

Why does the ECC Occur?

There are a number of factors which lead to ECC and parents play an important role in preventing it to occur. As soon as the child’s tooth erupts it is susceptible to decay. So, it is our duty to do our best to take care of these tiny teeth.

• The main reason for the decay of kids teeth at such an early age is the night feeds, especially the bottle feed. A child should never go to sleep with a bottle in the mouth containing anything other than water. Any juice or milk in the bottle can lead to formation of a layer over the teeth which acts as the main source of bacteria to accumulate and cause the decay.
• The milk teeth i.e. the primary teeth are as important as adult teeth. So, brushing of teeth should start as soon as the first tooth erupts in the mouth of your baby. In fact, the cleaning of babies gums and teeth should start immediately after birth using a clean cotton cloth or a gauze piece wrapped around the finger.
• The first dental visit of a child should be at the child’s first birthday or, within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth. In case there is any problem, the dentist will let you know and you can take care further on according to the advise.

Never blow on your child’s food, as the bacteria from your mouth can be transferred to your child’s mouth and these bacteria are responsible for the decay of teeth.

How can ECC be prevented?

Early childhood caries can be prevented by taking care of a number of factors.

• Never Let your Child sleep with a bottle in the mouth: First and foremost is not to let your child sleep with a bottle filled with juice, milk or any other sweetened liquid. This reduces the chance of ECC tremendously.
• Brushing of Teeth: Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupts in the mouth. Brushing can be started using a normal silicone finger brush and slowly can shift to a kids age appropriate tooth brush.
  The American Academy of Pediatric dentistry recommends, that the brushing of kids teeth should be done with a grain size of fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts in the oral cavity.

A grain size of tooth paste should be used till the age of 3 years and a pea size after the age of 3 years.

You can click the link below and know the exciting ways to help your child start brushing his or her teeth.

The most important and the best way to help your brush teeth by starting early.

• First Dental Visit: The first dental visit of your child should be at his or her first birthday or, within the first 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth.
  An annual dental check up is important to prevent any tooth decay or any other problem that might be present. Something that is caught early can be treated better.
  In case your child has even a single cavity and is diagnosed by your dentist and treated, it can help in further preventing the spread of infection. May be a normal filling (or restoration) will suffice if consulted early and your child is saved from a slightly intensive procedure like a root canal.

To read more about the first dental visit (which should be mandatory), cick the link below.

• Sharing of Food: Never share food with your child or blow on your child’s food to warm it. This leads to transfer of bacteria from your mouth to your child’s mouth which is the cause of cavities.

How can ECC be Treated?

It is not uncommon to see kids with early childhood caries. May be the reason is lack of awareness among the parents, and an old thinking that the primary teeth i.e. the milk teeth are not very important as they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth. Actually, milk teeth are as important as the permanent teeth are and also form a path for the eruption of the permanent.

Once the cavity or cavities occur, they can be treated by either a general dentist or a pedodontist. If your toddler is having multiple cavities and is unco-operative, the best thing to do is visit a Pedodontist as they are specialist in dealing with the kids dental care, and know very well how to make the kid co-operate and get the treatment done.

The cavities can be filled if they are not very deep and in case deep i.e. approaching the pulp (the center part of the tooth which has all the nerves and blood vessels) a root canal treatment can be done.

If there is just a few cavities the treatment can be done under local anesthesia, if there are more or the full mouth is involved the the treatment might need to be done either under conscious sedation or general anesthesia.

If required a simple fluoride application or pit and fissure sealant can be done to prevent any cavities from forming.

In order to prevent our children from going through so much trouble, it is our duty to take care of their dental health as well, the same way as we keep a good check on their overall health.

Aren’t we always up to date about the vaccination schedule of our child ? Or, if they have a slightest of cold aren’t we worried and visiting a pediatrician stat? Then why not worrying about a cavity they have?? It is as important as any other slightest of health issue your child might have.

Happy Parenting!

Teething is one of the most important milestones your child will achieve. The cute smile of your baby will be more cuter with small teeth coming in. But teething is a challenge for some babies as well as the parents.While some kids have to deal with a lot during teething, some don’t even get to know and get almost all their teeth. There are few things you as a parent should know about your child’s teething.

1. Teething is a natural process

Teething is a natural process which starts anywhere between the age of 3 months to 18 months, and it doesn’t require any medicine. So, it is better to avoid any type of homeopathic teething tablets which someone advices you, as according to the FDA they are not safe for kids under the age of 2 years. These contain a harmful chemical belladonna which can cause complications. Also certain teething gels are harmful as they contain benzocaine which again is not advices for kids under the age of 2 years. They don’t cause any relief in the pain or discomfort in your child. So why put your child at risk?

2. Pain relief during teething

Teething causes a lot of irritation in the gums for certain children. They become cranky and keep drooling and putting everything in mouth. To reduce to the maximum possible extend,massage the gums with a clean cold cotton cloth wrapped around your finger or a gauze piece. Also you can keep a properly washed silicone teether in the fridge ( not the freezer) for about hour and give it to your child to chew. Incase you suddenly found out your child is teething and you do not have a teether yet, you can just cool a stainless steel spoon and give your child the blunt side to chew on but ofcourse only under supervision. Be very careful while buying teethers. Avoid plastic and better go for a silicone based teethers and also avoid teethers with liquid inside. Avoid anything that can break and go inside your child’s mouth.

Incase of severe pain and discomfort a pain killer once in a while wouldn’t hurt for a good night sleep both for the child and the parents. So you can just call your pediatrician and get a prescription for the same.

3. Loss of appetite during teething

Loss of appetite is a common symptom of teething and there is nothing to worry about if your child is eating less or preferring only a certain type of food. Do not force feed your child at all, as it will even cause him or her to eat less. The symptom will go away slowly in a few days and your child will start eating again.

4. Fever and diarrhoea

Teething causes only one degree rise in temperature in kids and any high grade fever which is present should be addressed immediately and you should visit your pediatrician.

During teething kids tend to put everything in mouth which causes stomach infection and therefore diarrhoea. The best is to maintain a very good hygiene by cleaning the babies surrounding and frequently washing babies hands. A pediatrician should be consulted immediately if your child is having diarrhoea.

5. Teething sequence

The lower front teeth ( lower central incisors ) are the first tooth to erupt in the mouth. But the sequence might change in some kids and still there is nothing to worry about.

6. When to start brushing?

Brushing of a kids teeth should start as soon as the first tooth erupts and the cleaning of the gums and tongue should start at birth. A silicone finger brain can be used and then slowly cn shift to a normal kids age appropriate tooth paste.

Starting brushing early helps in maintaining good oral hygiene, prevent cavities and also helps in inculcating good oral habits in your child.

7. When to visit a pediatrician/pedodontist?

A pediatrician should be consulted when
a. Your child is having a high grade fever ( as it is not a symptom of teething)
b. Your child is having loose motions or vomiting
c. There are no other symptoms of teething but still your child has not been eating from a few days now
d. The gums are not pink but blue and swollen
e. Rashes on the babies bodies

So, as a parent sometimes it becomes a task for us to deal with the irritability of our little ones. But we should keep in mind that they are not actually feeling well, though nothing wrong might be visible, and this is new for them. Many of us might have experienced the discomfort we have while getting our wisdom teeth (third molars). It is the same for them. So, cuddle with them, play, listen and understand and give them what they need to get out of this difficult stage with love and care.

Happy Parenting!

We are always in a denial phase when it comes to something we are scared of. But wouldn’t it help more if we can face it and get over with it??

I think Yes.

According to certain studies done, 1 out of every 4 kids is effected by at least 1 cavity by the age of 4 years. This one cavity can be prevented by a normal routine dental checkup which can be done once every 6 months. It might help in detecting any cavity in the initial stage itself and preventing it from decaying the tooth any further.

But how many of us do so. Rarely any. And the reason is we are not aware that the dental hygiene is also important and like the vaccination appointments, and so we should visit a dentist routinely.

So, the first dental visit for your child should be at his or her first birthday. let that be a birthday gift, helping maintain a good oral hygiene.

As it is said, “Oral health leads to overall health”.

Pedodontists (many people are not aware of) are the experts for the kids that age, they are also know as the kids dentist. So as we all have one pediatrician fixed for our kids whom we visit routinely for vaccinations, so should we visit our pedodontist, to be aware of any cavity or any other problem which might be there and can be treated early.

Here I would again quote a saying, “Dentistry is not expensive, neglect is”. Anything caught early will cost less for treatment in dentistry rather than something found once the pain starts. So, it is better to maintain a habit of having a routine dental check up not only for our kids, but for ourselves too.

How should you prepare your child for the dental appointment?

* Take a morning appointment or the time of the day your child is the most active.
*If your child is a little older and it is his or her first dental visit, explain about it and tell why it is important.
*You can take your younger child for the appointment of the elder one. This will help in a positive reinforcement.
*Make the appointment exciting by telling that it would be a pleasant experience and will help in maintaining a good oral hygiene.
*Play dentist with your child prior to the appointment so that it seems a little familiar.

How should you prepare yourself for your child’s first dental appointment?

*Just think it to be a routine dental visit and there is absolutely nothing to panic about.
*As you prepare yourself for an appointment with your child’s pediatrician, the same way you can write down the questions you need to ask your pedodontist.
*In case your child has any medical history, remember to share it with your pedodontist.
*In case you have a dental fear or anxiety yourself, it would be nice to not show those feeling in front of your child instead make him or her comfortable about the appointment.

The first appointments are not usually long and do not include painful procedures, unless and until it is required to relive the pain the child might be suffering from. So, the child should be comfortable and the dentist almost always tries to make a friendly relationship with the kid, so as whenever required, the child is ready to get the treatment done without any hesitation. So, as parents, it is our responsibility, to take our kids for a routine dental check up in in build in them a habit of maintaining a good oral hygiene, and raise them to be responsible adults.

Happy Parenting!!