The health of your child’s teeth and gums needs special attention and care. Promoting good dental health throughout those crucial developmental years will pay off in the long run including the well-being of your child as study shows that psychological health affects teeth health. You’ll help your child develop good dental practices and reduce the chances of significant dental problems later in life. Many parents are unsure how to properly care for their children’s teeth and gums. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Should I begin brushing my child’s teeth when he or she is a toddler?
What is the best time to take my child to the dentist?
Why should I care for baby teeth if they’re going to fall out anyway?
We’ll answer all of these concerns and more in today’s post, as well as share our best advice for caring for your child’s teeth.
Understand Why It’s Important to Care for Your Child’s Teeth
Whether your child still has baby teeth, permanent teeth, or a mix of both, taking care of his or her teeth is important for many reasons. Most important is the risk of tooth decay. Your child’s teeth are at risk of decay from the moment they first appear. A decaying baby tooth may not seem like a huge deal– especially since it will eventually fall out. However, a decaying baby tooth can cause a lot of problems for the future of your child’s dental health.
When your child loses a tooth because of poor oral hygiene, it impedes the ability of the permanent tooth to grow correctly. It also increases the chances of that permanent tooth coming in with an infection or decay. Tooth decay can impair your child’s ability to chew and eat, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Furthermore, premature tooth loss might make it more difficult for a youngster to learn to utter specific words, resulting in a speech handicap.
When it comes to pacifiers and thumb sucking, be cautious.
Children’s habits of using pacifiers and sucking their thumbs are both widespread. They can, however, harm the structure of your child’s developing mouth and teeth if you’re not careful. To avoid problems, make sure you stop doing both of these things by the age of three. Encourage the use of a pacifier over the thumb if possible, as this habit is more difficult to break.
If your child uses a pacifier, be sure to follow these guidelines:
- Sugar, honey, or any sugary drink should not be used to coat the pacifier.
- Do not use your mouth to wipe the pacifier.
- Use one-piece pacifiers instead of pacifiers with liquid interiors or moving pieces.
From the start, take care of your gums.
Dental treatment for your child should begin before he or she has any teeth. After each feeding, get into the habit of wiping your baby’s gums. You can achieve this in a number of different ways:
- a moist washcloth that is clean and warm
- Wrap your finger in a moist piece of gauze.
- A thimble for brushing the gums of children.
Beginning at the age of six months, take your child to the dentist.
Children should visit the dentist 6 months after teething begins, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. However, your child’s specific requirements may differ. Give us a call to find out what the best time is for your child to come in for his or her first appointment.
Starting early is a wonderful approach to prevent cavities and other dental problems. It also makes visiting to the dentist more comfortable for your child and equips you with the knowledge you need to deliver the finest treatment.
Make an appointment with the dentist for your child every six months. Dental checks and cleanings are recommended twice a year to ensure your child’s dental health.
Brushing your child’s teeth twice a day is recommended.
Continue to wipe your child’s gums and teeth after each feeding as teeth appear. Brush twice a day with an infant toothbrush and a small bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) once the baby’s teeth have grown in. Encourage your child to practice brushing as time goes on. Teach your youngster how to correctly hold the toothbrush and brush his or her teeth. You should also show and assist your youngster in spitting out toothpaste.
When your teeth come into contact, begin flossing.
You can start flossing your child’s teeth as they start to fit together tightly. This usually occurs between the ages of two and six. Assist your youngster in learning how to floss, but make sure the work is done correctly. Many children are apprehensive about seeing the dentist. Taking your child to the dentist on a regular basis is the best method to help them overcome their fear. There are a few additional things you can do, though, to help your child relax.
Stay calm — If you appear hurried or irritated when your youngster refuses to go to the dentist, you’ll just make things worse. Maintain a pleasant attitude throughout your visit.
Choose the correct dentist – Choose a dentist who has experience working with children and knows how to be patient and kind.
Avoid using phrases like hurt, agony, needles, or shot to ensure that the entire dental visit is viewed positively.
Attempt to avoid encouraging – When you tell your child they’ll get a treat after going to the dentist, you’re implying that the dental visit will be unpleasant.
Brushing and flossing
Your child’s dental hygiene should begin when he or she is a baby. Around the age of one or two, begin using a soft child-size toothbrush. At least twice a day, you should clean your child’s teeth with water. You can also use a small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste. This toothpaste is completely safe for your youngster to eat. You can switch to fluoride-containing toothpaste once your youngster is old enough to spit it out. Use only a little amount. Teach your youngster how to distribute it evenly across their teeth, gums, and tongue. Ask your doctor or dentist to show you how to brush your child’s teeth properly.
Until your child is 7 or 8 years old, he or she will most likely need assistance brushing their teeth. They can start using a larger toothbrush around this time. Brushes should be replaced every 3 to 6 months or when the bristles are worn. Brushing teeth for two minutes is recommended for children. Flossing is an important component of your child’s dental hygiene routine. At least once a day, teach your child to floss. To make things easier, you can buy floss with a handle.
It’s also a good idea to teach your child to brush his or her teeth. This aids in the reduction of microorganisms in the mouth.
Make sure your youngster brushes his or her teeth before going to bed, after all eating and drinking (excluding water) have been completed.
Mouth protection
Another important aspect of oral hygiene is safety. If your child participates in sports, he or she should use a mouthguard. This is a soft, plastic retainer that covers the teeth as well as the lips on occasion. It aids in the prevention of damage to your child’s mouth. If you require a custom-fit mouth guard, consult your dentist.
Baby teeth usually arrive between the ages of 4 and 7 months. The two bottom front teeth are normally the first to emerge. By the age of three, most children have all 20 baby teeth.
