At Madison No Fear Dentistry we believe in creating a positive and comfortable experience that will result in a life-long relationship of trust and confidence with you and your child. We recommend that a child's first oral health visit take place no later than 3 years of age. This is an ideal time for our team to evaluate your child's oral, dental and nutritional health, as well as to diagnose any problems which may exist.
During the first visit we will:
1. Inquire about your child’s medical history.
2. Learn about your child’s dietary and feeding habits.
3. Assess the need for fluoride supplements.
4. Evaluate the child’s oral hygiene.
5. Examine the mouth for dental caries or other problems.
6. Perform a caries risk assessment.
7. Implement age appropriate oral hygiene techniques.
8. Introduce the concept of wellness as a lifestyle choice.
9. Provide guidance for injury prevention.
10. Prepare to provide preventive, interceptive or restorative services.
You and Your Baby
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Begin cleaning the baby’s mouth with a clean damp washcloth. Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle, sippee cup or while breastfeeding. This habit may cause cavities when your baby has teeth especially if milk, formula, juice or other sweetened liquid is used. Only water should be put in a bottle or cup if your child cannot fall asleep without it. While your baby is breastfeeding, wipe the teeth with a damp washcloth as soon as he or she falls asleep and stops sucking. Sharing items such as spoons, pacifiers, toothbrushes and toys can spread cavity-causing germs between caregiver and baby and between babies themselves.
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Start a habit of brushing twice a day when the first tooth comes in. Use soft-bristled toothbrushes designed for babies with water or a very small amount of non-fluoridated toothpaste. Fluoride containing toothpaste can be used when your child can spit. Consult your pediatrician or pediatric dentist about other sources of fluoride supplementation for your child.
It is normal for a baby to cry while tooth brushing. Babies also cry when they are bathed, dressed or changed. Be calm and methodical while continuing to give proper care to your child’s teeth.
With time he/she will appreciate your gentle attention to his/her teeth and will allow you to clean without protest.
Heathly Snack Ideas
Healthy school lunches are a very important part of the school day. Why not inspire your children to bring to school some fun and healthy lunches? Involve them with menu planning, shopping and preparing meals. Children who feel they have had a part in preparing their lunches will be more likely to eat them and less inclined to trade with their friends. Let them pick out five or six lunch items they really like and build on those. Offer a new food with a familiar one. Applaud adventurous eating. Cut foods in different ways (i.e. carrot sticks one day and carrot coins another). Allow your children to choose a special food from time to time. Teach them the difference between everyday foods and occasional foods. Rely less on processed, packaged foods and replace them with fresh foods whenever possible. In time, your children will start making healthy choices on their own. Remember most kids will skip foods that take a lot of effort to eat.
Brown paper bags may be convenient and inexpensive, but they rip easily and do not help keep cold foods cold or hot foods hot. Insulated lunch bags are the best choice for school lunches. Often they have two or more compartments so foods and beverages can be kept separate. Some of these are equipped with freezer packs or you can buy them separately. These will keep your children’s lunches cold and, therefore, safe and fresh. Do not leave food out at room temperature more than two hours (one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees F). Always wash your hands before you prepare or eat food and use a clean cutting board. Pack just the right amount of food that can be eaten at lunch so you won’t have to worry about leftovers. If you prepare your lunch the night before, store it in the refrigerator. Don’t forget to include disposable utensils and napkins.
Try incorporating three food groups plus a drink in your children’s sack lunches. Pick and choose from the following suggestions:
LOW-FAT DAIRY: Low-fat milk kept in a thermos or shelf-stable individual drink box; squeeze low-fat yogurt; low-fat cheese in sandwiches; low-fat mozzarella sticks; low-fat cottage cheese; low-fat pudding cups
(Jazz up a low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit or low-fat granola.)
(Jazz up a low-fat yogurt with fresh fruit or low-fat granola.)
FRUITS: Oranges, grapefruit, bananas, apples, grapes, melon balls, strawberries, raspberries, mini applesauce without sugar, or any seasonal fruit
(Peeled and sliced fruit is more likely to get eaten and less likely to be traded than is a piece of whole fruit. Occasionally include surprises such as mini fruit kabobs or fruit cups.)
VEGETABLES: Carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, green and red pepper strips,
celery, broccoli or cauliflower florets with light dressing
(Use all the colors!)
PROTEIN: Sandwiches made of turkey, lean ham, lean roast beef, peanut butter, hummus (chick pea spread/dip), chicken, or tuna
(Try PB&J with Granny Smith apples, ham & cheese roll-ups with dipping sauce, or turkey all wrapped up in a tortilla with low fat cheese and vegetables.)
BREADS & GRAINS: Whole grain or whole wheat bread, pita pockets, bagels, muffins or crackers(Place the fillings on the side so your children can assemble the sandwiches or crackers themselves. Don’t forget to include their favorite sandwich additions such as a little light mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, lettuce and/or tomatoes.)
DRINKS: Water is always a wise choice. If your kids like juice, try packing a 4 or 6.25 oz 100% juice box with a water bottle.
Quick and Easy Lunch Suggestions
Pin Wheel Sandwiches – Spread your children’s favorite sandwich fillings onto tortillas. Roll them up and slice them into smaller pieces (i.e. peanut butter and jelly, lunch meat with cream cheese or Laughing Cow Cheese).
Cookie Cutter Sandwiches – Any sandwich cut with a large cookie cutter (i.e. star, heart, dinosaur, animals, etc.). You can also cut slices of cheese, ham or turkey into fun shapes.
Ham and Potato Sandwiches – To make this silly sandwich, place a couple of thin slices of turkey ham on wheat bread, add a thin slice of cheese and a dollop of mayonnaise. Where does the potato come in? Include a container of five single potato chips which your child can add to the sandwich during lunch. The salty crunch of the chips against the sweetness of the ham is so tasty, they won’t want to be trading this sandwich.
Finger Foods – Sometimes kids, especially younger ones, don’t like to eat a whole sandwich or bowl of food. Instead, try preparing cut up cubes of cheese, grapes, carrot sticks, pretzels, mini crackers, and ham cubes. Place them in a container with individual compartments or just a standard one for a fun lunch. Also try cutting sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles for easier eating.
Ham and Potato Sandwiches – To make this silly sandwich, place a couple of thin slices of turkey ham on wheat bread, add a thin slice of cheese and a dollop of mayonnaise. Where does the potato come in? Include a container of five single potato chips which your child can add to the sandwich during lunch. The salty crunch of the chips against the sweetness of the ham is so tasty, they won’t want to be trading this sandwich.
Finger Foods – Sometimes kids, especially younger ones, don’t like to eat a whole sandwich or bowl of food. Instead, try preparing cut up cubes of cheese, grapes, carrot sticks, pretzels, mini crackers, and ham cubes. Place them in a container with individual compartments or just a standard one for a fun lunch. Also try cutting sandwiches into small rectangles or triangles for easier eating.
Dip It – Kids love dipping stuff. For an easy and nutritious lunch snack, cut apple wedges and serve with a strawberry or peanut butter dip or cut up veggies served with a hummus dip or try a cream cheese dip. For a more substantial lunch, add pieces of pita bread, breadsticks or crackers.
Make Your Own Trail Mix – Combine mixed nuts, raisins or dried fruit, mini pretzels, sunflower seeds, breakfast cereal such as Chex, and a few chocolate chips into a re-sealable plastic bag.
Hot Foods – With insulated food containers (thermos), you can send hot foods to school. Make sure the foods are heated up to at least 140 degrees before you load them into the insulated containers. Some suggestions are: beef and vegetable stew served with a hard roll, chicken noodle soup with whole grain crackers, lasagna with a salad and bread, chicken casserole with carrots and vegetable dip, hot vegan or beef meatballs in a sauce with a roll to make a meatball sub, taco meat or refried beans and taco shells with your children’s favorite taco toppings, chili with whole grain crackers, or combine Bush’s vegetarian baked bean and veggie dogs for beanie weenies.
Lunch Notes – Write cute little notes once in a while to put smiles on your children’s faces (i.e. a simple note with a smiley face saying “I love you”).
Hot Foods – With insulated food containers (thermos), you can send hot foods to school. Make sure the foods are heated up to at least 140 degrees before you load them into the insulated containers. Some suggestions are: beef and vegetable stew served with a hard roll, chicken noodle soup with whole grain crackers, lasagna with a salad and bread, chicken casserole with carrots and vegetable dip, hot vegan or beef meatballs in a sauce with a roll to make a meatball sub, taco meat or refried beans and taco shells with your children’s favorite taco toppings, chili with whole grain crackers, or combine Bush’s vegetarian baked bean and veggie dogs for beanie weenies.
Lunch Notes – Write cute little notes once in a while to put smiles on your children’s faces (i.e. a simple note with a smiley face saying “I love you”).
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