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Creating good dental hygiene habits early in your child’s life is essential to the health of his or her teeth, even when your infant doesn’t have any. By starting now, you can set the foundation for your son or daughter’s oral health later on in life.

When do I start?

The best time to begin brushing your baby’s teeth is before that first tooth ever comes in. Wipe your little one’s gums gently with a soft washcloth soaked in warm water every day. Not only will this help to get rid of bacteria in the mouth, but it will also familiarize your child with a daily brushing routine.

What do I use?

When your child’s teeth begin to emerge, it’s time to switch to a baby toothbrush. Select one with a big grip for your hand and a small head that’s easy to maneuver in your baby’s mouth.

Your little one won’t need toothpaste until he or she is about a year old; and even then, only a small amount is necessary. Apply an amount the size of a grain of rice and move to a pea-sized amount when your infant is about two years old.

By around six years, your child will probably rinse and spit without your help. At this time, you may introduce a child-friendly fluoride mouthwash.

How do I do it?

Until about age five or six, it’s likely your child will still need your help with brushing teeth. Gently scrub over all the teeth and gums, even where teeth have yet to come in. It may be helpful to explain what you are doing and how you are doing it, so your toddler can learn to brush her or his teeth alone.

Paired with regular visits with Dr. Maryam Azadpur at our Simsbury, CT office, proper hygiene habits instilled in your child early on will set up a good foundation for a healthy mouth in the future.

Molars are made up of canyons, caves, pits, and seemingly endless caverns that are a breeding ground for decay. The protective solution is a sealant. When done correctly, a sealant from Dr. Maryam Azadpur of Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry can be most effective in preventing cavities.

A sealant is made up of composite (a plastic-like) material that contains bonding agents to seal to the edge of the tooth. Sealants placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth block food from being trapped. The process in which a sealant is placed is quite precise and painless.

First the tooth is cleaned with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) spray. Then an acid etch is applied to “roughen up” the surface. No saliva is to touch the tooth. This will re-mineralize the area, then a repeat etching is needed. An alcohol-based liquid then dries out the area and it must remain completely dry. The sealant is placed and guided through all the caverns, pits, fissures, and grooves. It is then cured with a special light, which makes it a hard, plastic-like material.

Sealants can last for several years. It is wise to have them examined on a semi-annual basis. If there is a break in the sealant, a high risk for decay is common. If a sealant is damaged, repair is simple, painless, and quick to complete.

Who can benefit from sealants? Anyone! Children often receive sealants as routine preventive care. Adults with deep canyons with stained grooves on their teeth can also benefit from a sealant. The process is quick, painless, and does not require any anesthesia. It is an effective way to lower dental restorative costs.

An investment in dental sealants can reap great benefits as properly cared for teeth will remain cavity free. Our Simsbury, CT location is available to answer your questions so give us a call today!

Because babies’ teeth don’t appear until around six to eight months of age, it’s a natural misconception that they don’t need dental care. But the steps you take as the parent of an infant can help your baby maintain good oral health and develop healthy dental habits in the future.

It’s easy to take care of a baby’s teeth and gums, especially when oral hygiene for your infant becomes part of the normal daily routine. Learn more about how you can promote good dental health for your baby with these tips and considerations.

Taking Care of Baby’s Oral Hygiene

• Dental Hygiene for Birth to Six Months. Cleaning your infant’s gums is as important as cleaning teeth will be later. Hold your baby in your arms, and with a clean, moistened washcloth wrapped around your index finger, gently massage his or her gums.
• Dental Hygiene for Six to 12 Months. After teeth begin to appear, it’s time to switch to a soft, children’s toothbrush for teeth cleaning. New research has shown that fluoride toothpaste is safe and recommended for use once your baby’s first tooth arrives. Gently brush your baby’s teeth after each feeding, in the morning, and before bedtime, just as you did before teeth appeared.
• Good Bedtime Habits. One of the most important things you can do to protect your infant from tooth decay is to avoid the habit of putting baby to bed with a bottle. Use other soothing bedtime activities, such as rocking and lullabies, to help your baby drift off to sleep.
• A Note about Dental Decay. Many people are unaware that dental decay is transmissible. Avoid placing your baby’s bottle, sippy cup, or pacifier in your own mouth to test the temperature. Likewise, don’t share utensils with your baby.

Partner With Your Dentist

Your baby should receive his or her first dental health checkup by the age of six months. Even though your infant may not have teeth yet, Dr. Maryam Azadpur can assess the risk your baby might face for oral diseases that affect hard or soft tissues. Dr. Maryam Azadpur can also provide you with instructions for infant oral hygiene, and explain what steps to add as your baby grows and develops.

Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry is your partner for good oral health, and we’re here to make caring for your baby’s dental hygiene and health easier and more enjoyable for you.

Summer greetings from Simsbury Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry!

There’s nothing quite like summer in Connecticut. We are lucky to be surrounded by so many lovely trails and parks to explore. Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury is a local favorite. It offers swimming (when permitted) and picnicking plus free parking for CT residents. It is also very close to Tulmeadow Farm, which features delicious homemade ice cream. A few other great spots to check out are Roaring Brook Nature Center in Avon and Winding Trails in Farmington, which are both good spots to take children. Remember to check with them before heading out regarding any new protocols and/or hours.

Though life is now guided by health and safety protocols, there are still many summertime activities you can do while social distancing! On a warm day, you can find our team biking, swimming, hiking, gardening, enjoying an outdoor nighttime movie, going for day trips around the state, grilling up a yummy meal, and eating s’mores around a fire.

Sometimes it’s just too hot to cook and stand over a stove on a warm day. A meal that requires minimal effort is key. Ordering takeout always works, or if you want to make something at home, try some summer classics like corn on the cob, kabobs, or summer salads. Shari has a simple summer salad recipe for you to try. All it takes are some mixed greens, strawberries, blueberries, goat cheese, candied walnuts, and poppy seed dressing. You can switch out almost anything for the fruits or dressings you like. Shari recommends using an egg slicer for the strawberries to make it even easier!

Back at the office, our full schedule each day means we are contributing to the health and wellbeing of our community. We heard many heartwarming stories recently of how neighbors are helping each other, especially after the recent hurricane that blew through the area. We truly are all in this together.

Who couldn’t use some new tech these days? Our third quarter Review/Referral promotion kicked off this month and we are giving away $500 to the Apple Store! Want a chance to win? Write a review of our practice on Facebook, Yelp, Google, or our website, and get 1 entry into the drawing. Refer a friend and get 2 entries. It’s just that easy! Drawing will be held on October 1, 2020.

A huge thank you to our patients for their patience while we work to get over 700 appointments rescheduled. There are still lots more to take care of though. If you have a previously scheduled appointment and haven't been contacted about it, it will most likely mean that it needs to be rescheduled. Give us a call at 860-658-7548 to verify. Please DO NOT come into the office if you have not spoken with one of our team members directly.

Here is a picture of Kay, one of our fabulous hygienists getting ready to greet her patients. She has a lot more PPE to put on before seeing them though.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!