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You might think babies don’t need to brush their teeth, especially when they don’t have any. But by starting good habits like brushing when your child is young, you can lay the foundation for them to continue those good habits into adulthood.

When do I start?

The best time to start brushing your baby’s teeth is before he or she has any. Develop the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with a wet, soft washcloth or gauze every day. There is no need to use toothpaste, just wrap the gauze or cloth around your finger, moisten it with a little water, and gently rub it over the gums.

This helps your little one get used to brushing while it eliminates bacteria in the mouth that can harm emerging teeth. You don’t need to apply a lot of pressure or even take very long: just a quick, gentle rub over the gums will do it.

What do I use?

When your child’s teeth begin to come in, you will need to switch from a cloth to a baby toothbrush. Find one that has a grip big enough for your hand, but a head that is small enough to maneuver easily in your infant’s mouth.

You don’t need to use any toothpaste until your son or daughter is about a year old. Even then, though, you’ll want to use just a tiny amount: about the size of a grain of rice. When your toddler is about two years old, you can use a pea-sized amount.

By around six years of age, your child will probably rinse and spit without your help. At that point, you may want to introduce a child-friendly fluoride mouthwash.

How do I do it?

Your child probably won’t be able to brush his or her teeth alone until about the age of five or six. This means that you will need to do it. To brush your child’s teeth, gently use the brush over all the teeth and gums, even areas where the teeth have not come in yet.

As your child grows and becomes more independent, you can allow him or her to hold the toothbrush while you guide your child’s progress. Make sure you talk to your child while you are brushing, and explain why you brush: what you are doing and how you are doing it.

In addition to regular visits with Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody, instilling good oral health habits in your child early on will ensure a lifetime of good dental health.

We love hearing for our amazing patients! Take a look what they're saying about their experience in our office.

A pleasure to have my teeth cleaned and gums checked.

Very bright and cheery office/friendly, helpful and efficient staff/Dr. appears very knowledgeable and efficient and kind.

I always feel like family with Dr. Cardinale and staff.

Fit us in even though we did not have an appointment, and fixed a problem that was causing bleeding.  Very grateful!

Jayme is a delight.  She makes cleanings a nice experience.  Enjoy her fun personality.

Kenny is very thorough & recommended hydro floss to me.

Love Jody and Dr. Moody!

Good visit...good staff.

Great job by all =-)

Excellent work!!

It is a pleasure to visit the Dentist (which is not the norm)  Very well informed, state of the art equipment, very well trained staff.  Have already recommended my friend.

Love this office, pleasant, helpful love the entire staff.

Definitely one of the best dental experiences I've ever enjoyed, especially Dawn and Dr. Cardinale!  I felt my questions were answered and my needs met.  Jody was the best Dental Hygienist I've ever had the pleasure to experience.

Was no looking forward to choosing a new dentist, but I certainly made a good choice!

Whenever I come across friends looking for a dentist, I highly recommend Cardinale Dentistry.  I have to say, this has been the best all around experience I have ever had with a dentist.  Plus, the staff are all very friendly and pleasant.

Although going to the dentist is not as fun as when I was a child, the staff and hygienist are great and make the experience as excellent as it can be.  Thank you!

I am truly at a loss to provide recommendations that would improve the operation.

In my experience, these are the best dentists, both Dr. Cardinale and Dr. Moody, and the best staff, providing the best dental care that I have ever had.  Thanks to everyone.

Enjoy coming here as much as one can enjoy going to the dentist!

Always a pleasure to come to your office.  Kenny is great!

As always, excellent service.

Our team from Cardinale Dentistry understands the diagnosis of periodontal disease can be scary and confusing, but the good news in most cases is that it is treatable and manageable with a little work on the part of the patient.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gum tissue, bone, and supporting structures for the teeth. In the past it was known as pyorrhea. Diagnosis is commonly made through a combination of dental X-rays, periodontal readings (called probe depths), and visual clinical findings.

The mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body and can provide clues to the patient’s overall health. In fact, the first signs of some chronic diseases appear in the oral cavity; they can be a hint for the dentist to refer the patient to a medical doctor for a thorough exam.

If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to premature tooth loss, sensitivity, and chronic or acute mouth pain. If you have diabetes, you are more prone to periodontal disease and can experience greater difficulty controlling your blood glucose levels. The body ends up spending so much energy fighting the infection in the mouth that it cannot achieve balance elsewhere. Studies have shown that once periodontal disease is treated, the glucose levels become more responsive to control as well.

Standard treatments can include scale and root planing, medicated mouth rinse, and in some cases antibiotic therapy or laser therapy to help control bacteria while promoting healing. Periodontal disease can range from a few localized pockets to extensive and severe infection that may require surgery.

The process of scale and root planing may entail two to four appointments for treatment, with follow-up maintenance exams every three to four months to help prevent the spread of disease. In most cases you will be numbed for comfort during the procedure. After treatment you may feel a little sore—but you are taking steps to improve your health!

Scheduling an appointment with the Naples, FL office of Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody will give you an accurate diagnosis and a range of treatment options. Periodontal disease is “silent,” which means you will not always experience pain as a signal of infection. When caught early and subjected to proper oral hygiene care on a daily basis, treatments are usually successful.

At Cardinale Dentistry, we have been creating beautiful smiles for years. Whether you have visited Dr. Vincent Cardinale and Dr. Chris Moody and our team for a week or for your entire life, we would love to hear your thoughts about your experience! In fact, we encourage you to leave a few words for us below or on our Facebook page!

We look forward to reading your feedback!