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Oral Care: Teeth Growth and Care | biglittleme.com

So your little one has sprouted their first tooth, and then what next? Check out our Buds Organics Oral Care range of course!

When our little ones were infants, we would have used a wet towel to wipe their gums during bath time or a wipe down before bedtime. But what about new teeth?

The development of gum and teeth structure from infancy to tween years is a fascinating process marked by significant milestones. Here’s a general overview:

Infancy (0-2 years)
– At birth, babies usually have 20 primary teeth, also known as deciduous teeth or baby teeth, underneath their gums.
– The eruption of primary teeth typically begins around six months of age, starting with the lower central incisors.
– By the age of 2, most children have a full set of primary teeth, including incisors, canines, and molars.

Early Childhood (2-6 years)
– This stage is characterized by the gradual replacement of primary teeth with permanent teeth.
– The first permanent molars usually appear behind the primary teeth around age 6.
– Children may start losing their primary teeth and experiencing the eruption of permanent teeth, starting with the lower central incisors and followed by the upper central incisors.

Throughout these stages, proper dental care, including regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups, is crucial for maintaining oral health. Additionally, dietary habits play a significant role in dental development, as a balanced diet supports the growth of healthy teeth and gums.

Now that we know about how teeth grow over time, the next question we usually ask is fluoride or non-fluoride toothpaste? Xylitol and fluoride are both substances that can contribute to better oral hygiene in different ways. Xylitol is found in our Fluoride-Free range of toothpastes!

Xylitol
– Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables.
– It is commonly used as a sugar substitute in chewing gum, mints, and oral care products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
– Xylitol has several oral health benefits:
Reduces Cavities: Xylitol cannot be metabolized by bacteria in the mouth, so it does not contribute to tooth decay. In fact, it can inhibit the growth of cavity-causing bacteria like Streptococcus mutans.
Stimulates Saliva Production: Chewing gum or consuming products containing xylitol can stimulate saliva flow, which helps neutralize acids in the mouth and remineralize tooth enamel.
Inhibits Plaque Formation: Xylitol can disrupt the formation of dental plaque, reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

Fluoride:
– Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in water sources and certain foods. It is also added to many dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
– Fluoride has been shown to have several important benefits for oral health:
Strengthens Tooth Enamel: Fluoride helps to remineralize weakened tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and acidic foods.
Reduces Risk of Cavities: Regular exposure to fluoride can significantly reduce the risk of cavities, especially when combined with good oral hygiene practices.
Inhibits Bacterial Growth: Fluoride can inhibit the growth of bacteria in dental plaque, further reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

Infants and toddlers should use fluoride-free toothpaste primarily because they are at higher risk of swallowing toothpaste while brushing. Here’s why:

Risk of Fluoride Ingestion

Young children, particularly infants and toddlers, have not fully developed the ability to spit out toothpaste after brushing. As a result, there’s a higher likelihood of them swallowing toothpaste, including the fluoride it contains. Swallowing too much fluoride can lead to a condition called fluorosis, which can cause white spots or discoloration on the teeth.

Sensitive Developmental Stage

Infants and toddlers are in a critical stage of dental development. Their teeth are still emerging, and their gums are sensitive. Fluoride-free toothpaste is gentler and less likely to cause irritation or discomfort if swallowed or if it comes into contact with delicate gum tissue.

Precautionary Measure

Since young children may not understand the importance of spitting out toothpaste or may simply lack the coordination to do so effectively, using fluoride-free toothpaste is a precautionary measure to minimize the risk of fluoride ingestion and potential fluorosis.

Focus on Mechanical Cleaning

At this stage, the focus of oral hygiene for infants and toddlers is more on mechanical cleaning rather than the fluoride benefits. Using a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water to gently clean the teeth and gums is sufficient for removing plaque and bacteria without the need for fluoride toothpaste.

Children should transition to fluoride toothpaste when they are old enough to spit out the toothpaste after brushing, typically around the age of 3. Here’s why and when this transition should occur:

Developmental Readiness

Around the age of 3, most children have developed the necessary motor skills and understanding to spit out toothpaste rather than swallowing it. This milestone indicates that they are ready to use fluoride toothpaste safely and effectively.

Increased Risk of Tooth Decay

As children grow older, their diet and oral hygiene habits may change, increasing their susceptibility to tooth decay. Fluoride is highly effective in preventing cavities by strengthening tooth enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in the mouth.

Added Protection

Fluoride toothpaste provides additional protection against cavities and dental decay compared to fluoride-free toothpaste. It helps remineralize weakened enamel and can reverse early signs of tooth decay, providing long-term benefits for oral health.

Establishing Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Introducing fluoride toothpaste at the right time reinforces the importance of good oral hygiene habits and sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Children who use fluoride toothpaste as part of their daily oral care routine are less likely to experience dental problems later in life.

Hope this info has been useful in helping you understand oral care for kids!

 

Happy Lunar New Year

Hope you have been coping well amidst all the mayhem and preps for the lunar new year!

We’ve had some mommas reaching out to us about some food preps on the go for their little ones (View reel here). Our Sip’ns and Kiwigarden snacks are also top of the order lists this week! I can totally understand when kiddo watches everyone snacking on the goodies and they cannot munch on it! Hahaha.

Now we’ve got something to hopefully help keep the little ones occupied! Our fantabulous intern has come up with a drawing and turned it into a colouring sheet for kids!

Download file here!

Share with us your little ones’ colouring and tag us on IG!

Travelling in Japan with young kids – options and tips!

So you have booked your tickets and are making your plans on what and how you want to move about Japan. Here are some tips from our experience with travelling in Japan with our kids!

Transportation:

Eep, so the price of Rail Passes in Japan has gone up so significantly that it makes us wonder whether to travel by ala carte train tickets or via the Rail Passes due to the unlimited train travel (although within the limited time frame. Perhaps these would give you an idea of what kind of costs you can cut back on if you are planning to travel to Japan!

Rail Pass tickets are categorised into Ordinary or Green Car tickets (kinda like first class train tickets). The Ordinary tickets gets you the following types of seats, Reserved and Unreserved. Reserved seats are great if you want to secure a seat during a peak hour or want to book luggage storage – usually last seat with extra space at the back for luggage, so you get a lot of extra legroom. These seats can be booked a few days in advance via a ticketing machine or over the counter.

Kids below the 6 years of age travel for free on Shinkansens. If your child is 6yo and have not entered primary school (elementary school), they can travel for free too. The catch is that they are only entitled to a seat in the Unreserved seat carriage. If you are in a Reserved seating carriage, your child will have to sit on your lap (or can sit on a seat until someone claims their seat). A child’s (6yo to 11yo) train ticket is half the price of an adult ticket. So there can be some savings involved! The Shinkansen seats are quite generous (depending if you booked the luggage storage or you have a luggage in front of you).

TIP: we recommend writing all passport numbers and expiry dates on a little piece of paper you can keep in your wallet so that you don’t have to keep taking all passports out to refer. Reservations require a passport number as the Rail Pass tickets are tied to passport numbers.

TIP: You can send your luggage to the airport ahead of your departure using such transport companies so you handle lesser luggages!

Shopping

You can get some shopping done duty free if you spend 5000yen and above at selected stores. And if you have been looking to grab deals at your nearest Uniqlo outlet, I’ll be glad to inform you that Uniqlo is one of the stores that offers duty free shopping!

If time is tight, you can create an account on the Uniqlo JP website (you will need a Japanese address and mobile – +81 80 xxxx xxxx. I just fill the x with the number ‘1’) and place an order to have it picked up. However it also means you will not be entitled to a duty free purchase.

TIP: when to buy? We ordered our stuff 2 days before our trip. It will take about 2-3 days to arrive at the store, and they will then send you another email to inform you it is ready for collection.

100yen stores

Our favorite has to be Seria! Everything is 100yen in the store (it will be 109yen after taxes). From stationery, to homeware to toys, to footwear. The kids love shopping there cos of the wide variety and the prices (10SGD gets them a lot of stuff and the quality is amazing!). Get the kids to start saving up for their shopping at 100yen stores! My big tip is to think about all the potential containers you need at home (alot of planning hahahah) and then buy.

TIP: You will definitely need a huge recyclable bag! Highly recommending a Shupatto type reusable bag to fit all the goodies in.

Engaging a private driver 

Wakuwaku Tours is our choice for getting around in Japan! We tend to avoid the more touristy areas (4 kids is just insane) and head towards the outskirts. Wakuwaku Tours is able to offer pick up and drop off services, take you on a fully customizable itinerary at your own pace and comfort. We loved the private space we got in the car, not worrying about losing a kid amidst crowds and being able to head up to the mountains without worrying about lugging the luggage around. And yes, we definitely got car seats for our kids too!

For our trip in Sept’23, Wakuwaku was able to recommend us a Disney Music & Fireworks show close to us just because we happened to be there at the right time! It is one of those activities that you wouldn’t have come across unless you are a local. The kids enjoyed the fireworks and music so much!

Follow them on Instagram : @wakuwaku.tours

Playgrounds

There are outdoor playgrounds a plenty too. It is good to give the kids a break, let loose after sightseeing or shopping. Us parents get to take a break too!

 

What are your favorite stores to shop at?

Check our Featured products!

12 Activities and more for School Holidays 2023

The school holidays are almost upon us and for some of us, it means scratching our heads for activities to do! Being a mom of four also means that we are on a budget on finding activites that are free or at low cost.

Here are some of the activities we are looking to do this school hols and hope it’ll come in handy for you too! Read on below for more information regarding some of the listed activities.

 

ActiveSG

Check if your child has ActiveSG credits and use them to offset entrance to the public pools. You can also use these credits to pay for part of the fees for holiday programs.

Check here for the ActiveSG School Holiday Programs

Healthy365 App

Healthy365 App is not just about tracking your step count and earning points to redeem vouchers. Tap on the Explore tab and check out all the various activities for kids too. We were really surprised to see Nerf Mission for kids aged 4 to 6yo!

Free movie screening at St3ps, Changi Airport Terminal 3

Want to take your kids to movies but are worried that they would wander around? Why not take them to Changi Airport Terminal 3, St3ps at B2? They have weekly themes and have a range of movies that are suitable for both kids and teens. Just remember to check their weekly schedule before heading out!

MOE Heritage Centre

One of the National Heritage Board Museum Roundtable member, the MOE Heritage Centre, currently has launched their school holiday program for kids 5 years old and above, Join a guided tour and pretend to be young detectives or participate in a craft session to make a photo frame. Limited slots available and on selected dates too. You can register for the programs here

 

With so much to do, you can take your pick and slowly plan your holidays with your little ones!

Check our Featured products!

 

First Aid Care for kids

Keep these few items handy or on stand by in your first aid kit for kids!

We usually have a box of stuff just for the kids, whether for home or travel:
– children panadol
– children antihistamine
– plasters
– iodine solution
– Buds Organics Save Our Skin lotion (antibacterial properties!)
– Buds Organics Hand Sanitiser (sanitise your hands first before handling any open wounds!)
– Little Innoscents Paw Paw Ointment to soothe itch/wounds

What is in yours?

#biglittlemesg #firstaidkitforkids #firstaid #hometips #sgkids #sgmummies #singapore #budsorganicssg #littleinnoscentssg #sgbabies #outdoorplay #travelling #firstaidkit

POTW: Buds Organics Flouride Free Toothpaste

Product of the week: Buds Organics Oral Care, Strawberry

Who’s having trouble with teeth brushing with their little ones? Enter the Buds Organics Oral Care!

#BLMproductspotlight #budsorganics #teethingmonsters

Buds Oralcare Organics are specially formulated toothpastes that are ultra mild, safe and effective in preventing tooth cavity and maintaining good oral health for every stage of your child’s development.

What makes Buds Oralcare Organics special?

1. It is preservative-free, so safe if the toothpaste is swallowed!

2. It takes a balanced view on the use of Fluoride in toothpaste, while still providing an alternative should you feel your child is not ready to use fluoridated toothpaste.

3. It harnesses the latest scientific findings on the effectiveness of plant actives in oral care to develop this special range of toothpastes that is effective, safe and mild.

a) Aloe vera in tooth gels is used to cleanse and soothe teeth and gums, and is as effective as fluoridated toothpaste to fight cavities, according to the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) clinical, peer-reviewed journal.

b) Phytic acid shows an important affinity for hydroxiapatite, forming a uniform layer that strongly inhibits dissolution of hydroxiapatite crystals, and acts as:

– an inhibitor of the formation of oral plaque
– an inhibitor of cariogenesis
– an inhibitor of enamel dissolution

A combination of these plant actives with natural Xylitol and Fluoride makes the toothpastes very effective in fighting against tooth cavity.

Not only that, it also tastes great! I know cos I tasted all flavours before giving to my kids haha.

Buds for Kids – Fluoride-free Toothpaste, Strawberry 50ml

POTW: Buds Organics Calming Rub Cream

Last week, we had several enquiries from parents about the Buds Organics Calming Rub Cream for their little ones who were having tummy discomfort, mostly colicky babies.

The Calming Rub Cream containers natural ingredients that are known to ease tummy discomfort, ingredients that you and I are familiar with: ginger, peppermint and fennel.

It also contains lavender to soothe your baby. Not only that, it contains aloe vera and portulaca extract to boost your baby’s skin health.

It is the one cream that allows you to safely massage into your baby’s skin. Just a little dab on your finger tips and you can rub it into your baby’s tummy, massaging it to ease colicky symptoms.

You can find it here: https://biglittleme.com/product/buds-calming-rub-cream/

Mummies who have friends with newborns, tag them to request for a sample from us! Simply by commenting and we will get in contact with you.

#BLMproductspotlight

Little Innoscents Mineral Powder

If it’s safe for babies, it is safe for mommas too! The Little Innoscents Mineral Powder is talc free and smells heavenly! It is great in absorbing moisture without caking up at the folds, perfect to soothe heat rash in our humid weather!

Find out more about it here.

#biglittleme #biglittlemesg #littleinnoscents #organic #talcfree #singapore#igsgkids #sgparents #sgkids #sgbabies

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