When Should a Child Start Using Toothpaste?

Parents know that taking care of small children is a full-time job – and along with diaper changes, bath time, and medical checkups, parents also need to take care of their children’s teeth

★ Birth to 18 months: no toothpaste required

Start cleaning your child’s teeth as soon as the teeth begin to come in – but you don’t need toothpaste at first. For babies younger than 18 months, the best way to clean your child’s teeth is with a wet cloth or gauze – without toothpaste. Gently rub your child’s teeth and gums with a cloth over your fingertip – this, along with nursing and/or drinking water, is all the oral hygiene that your child needs at the infant stage. Once your child has more of a “full set” of teeth, you can use a small, soft toothbrush to brush your child’s teeth with water.

★ When to start toothpaste? 18 months

In general, children should not use toothpaste until they are at least 18 months old – and when you do start using toothpaste, make sure it is a safe “children’s toothpaste” made especially for young ones. Young children have different dental needs than grown-ups – and children’s toothpaste is made for this purpose.


★ What to look for in a children’s toothpaste

• Safe to swallow: Most young children tend to swallow while brushing, rather than spitting out the toothpaste – so make sure that your children’s toothpaste is formulated with this in mind.
• Use only a pea-sized amount: Don’t use too much toothpaste – just squeeze a small, pea-size (or smaller) amount onto the toothbrush. Your child doesn’t need much toothpaste to be effective, and you don’t want your child to swallow too much toothpaste.
• Consider low-fluoride children’s toothpaste: Fluoride is an important element of keeping teeth healthy and strong, but too much fluoride can be harmful for young children. Talk to your dentist if you have concerns about fluoride in your child’s toothpaste – several varieties of children’s toothpaste have lower amounts of fluoride or are fluoride-free.
• Fun flavors: Try some different flavors of toothpaste and see what your child likes. Some children – especially at the toddler stage – are very picky about flavors and might be reluctant to use a certain flavor of toothpaste. So be prepared to buy a few different varieties of children’s toothpaste and see which one is your child’s favorite.

Remember: brushing your child’s teeth is part of parenting, and you need to start at a young age. By taking the time each day – before bedtime and in the morning – to clean your child’s teeth with a specially-formulated children’s toothpaste, you will be helping to create a lifetime of healthy dental habits and happy smiles.

Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Huntington Beach 
at (714) 848-4247

Interview With Robert J. Moretta, D.D.S

1. When did you open your doors? What are your specialties?

I have been in practice since 1982. Our office does all phases of dentistry, but we like to concentrate in helping our patients achieve the smile of their dreams.  

2. From your experience, what type of customer searches for your dental services?

Most of our patients are referred to our office from other patients. But anyone who is new to the area or are unhappy with their present dentist also search for us. 

3. What kind of educational and training backgrounds do your dentists have?

I graduated in 1982 from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. I was elected to the Omicron Kappa Epsilon Honorary Fraternity, the highest honor bestowed on the nation’s top dental graduates. I am also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a member the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I am also a graduate of the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, where I studied Advanced Anterior Aesthetics. I also have thousands of hours of post graduate education.

4. How many employees work at your office?  

Presently I have a team of seven.

5. Do you have any current offers for new or existing patients?

We are currently offering a free Sonicare Electric Toothbrush for any new patient after they complete their initial cleaning, x-rays and exam.

6. Please share one last message with our site visitors.

You’ll find that our office will treat you like no other office. We pride ourselves to be on time, we explain any needed treatment and fees to your understanding before we begin, our office offers a level of experience and expertise rarely found and you’ll see that an office that truly likes and enjoys what we do.

Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Huntington Beach at (714) 848-4247.

News Release: Dr. Moretta Is Now an Instructor for California Center for Advanced Dental Studies

Dr. Robert Moretta

We are proud to announce that Dr. Moretta is the newest instructor for California Center for Advanced Dental Studies (CCADS).

Dr. Moretta was selectively chosen to teach graduate dentists the art of Cosmetic Dentistry throughout Orange County, San Francisco, and Vancouver, Canada. For more information about this organization, please visit www.ccads.org.

Don't let Halloween Candy be a Nightmare!

If your kids are like most, they're going to come home from trick-or-treating with lots and lots of candy. And who doesn't love Halloween candy? But we all know that the sugary candies at Halloween bring tooth decay in their wake. By following these simple steps, your family can have all the fun of Halloween without harming kids' teeth in the process!

• Teach your kids the importance of moderation with sweets. They don't need to gorge themselves on Halloween candy all night.
• Make sure your children are brushing their teeth at least twice a day.
• Remember to give your children fluoridated mouthwash every evening.
• Having extra dental flossers around the house is a great way to help kids remember to floss.
• Remember that sticky, chewy candies can cause the most tooth decay! Limit candies like jelly beans, taffy, candy corn and caramels.
• When it comes to gum: choose sugar free! Not only do sugar-free chewing gums neutralize the effects of sugary candy - they help combat cavity-causing plaque!

By teaching your children good oral hygiene, Halloween can be a fun and worry-free holiday! Moderation and good oral hygiene practices are key in helping your kids have a fun and healthy Halloween.

Schedule an appointment with our dentist in Huntington Beach at (714) 848-4247.

Have a happy Halloween!

Dental Implants, the Solution for Missing Teeth!

Millions of Americans suffer from tooth loss, thanks to the many advances in dentistry; dental implants have become one of the best options to replace missing teeth. Here at Sea Cliff Dental, our dentist in Huntington Beach, CA, specializes in implant dentistry. 

There are a few reasons why dental implants are becoming a good and natural way to replace missing teeth and are the preferred choice of our dentists:

• Enjoy what you eat. With dental implants you can easily chew your food just like with natural teeth.
• Long Duration. Dental implants could last forever with excellent care.
• Comfortably use. Forget about removing your dentures and using adhesives to put them in place.
• Feel better about yourself. Dental implants will help you recover your beautiful smile and confidence, they look and feel like your own teeth and allow you to speak without worrying about slippery dentures.
• Oral Health Improvement. They eliminate irritated and painful gums, because they are individually placed so you can have easier access between your teeth and improve your oral hygiene.
• Esthetic. Dental implants look more esthetic than dentures in the way they look, feel and function like natural teeth.

Dental Emergencies - What to do?

What to do if you have a broken tooth?
Rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Use cold compresses on the area to keep any swelling down. Call your dentist immediately. This is a dental emergency that is best dealt with by a dental professional.

What to do if you have a toothache?
Toothache is a common dental emergency. In the event of this problem, rinse the mouth out with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to ensure that there is no food or other debris caught between the teeth.

Never put aspirin or any other painkiller against the gums near the aching tooth because it may burn the gum tissue. If the pain persists, contact our dentist in Huntington Beach.

What to do if objects get caught between the teeth?
Try to gently remove the object with dental floss; avoid cutting the gums. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth.
If you can’t dislodge the object using dental floss, contact our dentist in Huntington Beach.

Keep reading our Dental Emergency Tips

Brushing Too Hard Can Damage Your Gums

The health of your gums is intricately related to the health of your teeth. When your dentist uses the phrase, “brush your teeth,” what he really means is “brush your teeth and gums.”
People believe that brushing their teeth hard means that they are doing well. This is a completely wrong misconception.

It’s often better for your teeth and gums if you use a softer touch. The plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth can be more effectively removed with a softer, gentler scrub. If you brush too hard, not only will your gums be swollen, but you’re also not cleaning your teeth as efficiently as you could be.

How to take care of your Gums?

Follow these tips if you’re one of those “gum scrubbers” who brushes too hard

• Lighten up! If you tend to brush too hard, ask a member of your family to watch you brush and remind you when you start bearing down too hard.
• 45-degree angle. Make sure that your toothbrush bristles are touching your gums at a 45-degree angle; this can reduce the force of the brush against your gums.
• Use an electric toothbrush. If you haven’t been able to train yourself to brush more softly, get an electric tooth brush! Ask our dentist to recommend a good toothbrush that gives your teeth and gums a steady, consistent and gentle scrubbing, just like the professional models used at our dentist’s office in Huntington Beach.
• Use analgesic toothpaste. If you tend to have a case of receding gums, our dentist can prescribe an analgesic toothpaste in order to reduce discomfort and promote healthier gums.

If your gums are straining from the pressure of excessive brushing, know that there is hope. Visit our dentist in Huntington Beach in order to prevent the situation from getting worse, he will show you the correct techniques so you can learn how to brush your teeth and gums!

Remember Poor Gum Health is one of the major causes of Tooth Loss!!!