How should I care for the teeth of a child with a cleft palate?
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Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:If your child has a cleft palate, make sure you keep all the necessary appointments and follow the advice of your doctors and orthodontists. Fixing a cleft palate can be a lengthy process, but general oral hygiene is important throughout. Keeping your child's teeth clean and healthy not only helps them pave the way for their adult teeth, but is important to help them speak more clearly. You may need to use a softer brush during your child's daily brushing, but your physician or dentist should be able to help you find the best tools and methods to keep your toddler's teeth healthy during the realignment.If your child has a cleft palate, make sure you keep all the necessary appointments and follow the advice of your doctors and orthodontists. Fixing a cleft palate can be a lengthy process, but general oral hygiene is important throughout.... More -
Dr. Diana Blythe of Pediatric Associates answered:In a child with cleft palate, the tissue and teeth are there, just in a bit of a jumble. Surgeries can help put the puzzle pieces back together. Until then, think of the teeth as regular teeth and brush them using toothpaste and a soft toothbrush. Use the same rules as with any child. If your child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste, you can use fluoride toothpaste, otherwise use non-fluorinated toothpaste.
In a child with cleft palate, the tissue and teeth are there, just in a bit of a jumble. Surgeries can help put the puzzle pieces back together. Until then, think of the teeth as regular teeth and brush them using toothpaste and a soft toothbrush.... More
