Protect Your Child Teeth Health

Protect Your Child Teeth Health

Parents are responsible for protecting their children’s teeth as soon as teething begins. Washing an infant's gums is important even before the first tooth erupts. It’s vital to start practicing good oral hygiene at these early stages, before decay or damage can occur. In addition to caring for your child’s teeth through their baby and toddler years, parents must set the tone for their growing child. If you instill healthy oral hygiene habits early, your child will continue to care for their smile into their adolescence and adulthood.

Wash your baby’s gums before the first tooth erupts. Use a soft, moist washcloth to clean your baby’s gums and mouth. Begin washing gums even before the first tooth appears. Applying toothpaste isn’t necessary before your baby’s first tooth erupts. You can also use a piece of sterile gauze that has been soaked in a saline solution, such as ¼ teaspoon of salt mixed with a cup of water.

Brush teeth gently with a soft-bristled brush with a small head. Even if only one tooth has grown in, you can start brushing using a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste, such as a smear on the toothbrush, preferably at 1000 parts per million. Encourage your baby to spit out the tooth paste. Children typically master spitting between ages 2 and 3, but begin teaching them to spit when they begin to respond to vocal instruction. Try to make the experience as fun as possible for your baby so they will laugh and enjoy it.

Floss when two teeth grow in next to each other. Begin flossing as soon as two teeth erupt close enough to risk trapping food particles. Use a few inches of unwaxed floss if only a couple teeth have grown, or a longer length if more teeth have erupted. Be very gentle, and try to avoid irritating your baby's sensitive gums as you remove any buildup between the two teeth.

Avoid letting your baby nap with a bottle of juice or milk. Filling a baby’s naptime or bedtime bottle with water helps prevent tooth decay. Don’t give your baby juice before they are 6 months old, and limit juice to meal times rather than before they sleep. Establish routines like only drinking water after brushing teeth at night as early as possible. Steer clear from giving your baby sticky or sugary snacks like candy or soda, especially before naps or bedtime.

Provide your child with a children’s brush and fluoride toothpaste. Give your child an age-appropriate brush, which will be indicated by the product’s label. Using a brush with their favorite cartoon character, color, or other fun design will help encourage them to brush. Children’s toothpaste is great for younger toddlers who have difficulty spitting, but they aren’t all that effective.

Help your child to brush and floss. Assist your toddler with their tooth care while they’re just starting to learn. They should be capable of brushing on their own sometime between the ages of 3 and 6. You might need to offer help flossing even if they’ve mastered brushing.

Wean off pacifiers and thumb sucking by age 3. Pacifiers and thumb sucking is typically harmless, as kids will stop the habits on their own by their toddler years. However, if either continue past age 3, they can cause tooth decay and increase the need for braces later in life.

Schedule regular visits to the dentist. The most common checkup schedule is every 6 months. However, work with your doctor to determine the best exam routine for your child. Every set of teeth is different, and some that are more prone to decay require more frequent professional care.

Teach proper techniques. Make sure your own brushing technique is on point so you can instill in your kids. Brush for at least two minutes, at least twice a day. Use a soft-bristle brush to prevent abrasion, and use circular motions. Floss once a day using floss without wax.

Reinforce the importance of dental care from an early age. Whether your child responds to incentives or warnings, find the right carrot and stick combination that’ll motivate them to brush. Conveying to them as early as possible how important it is to take care of teeth will help them keep up with hygiene as they mature. Remember there are limits to how fun of an activity you can make it out to be. In the end, you might have to simply be strict about tooth care and make them brush and floss.

Provide them with a tooth-friendly diet. Keep sugary foods to a minimum and teach your child to rinse or brush after they have eaten any sugary foods. Try to cut out the juice boxes, too: keep juice intake to a maximum 4 ounces a day. One cup of juice, two cups of milk, and three cups of water, or 1-2-3, is the best guide for kid’s beverages. Swap candy for healthy snacks like fruits and veggies. Don’t peel apples and other fruit. The peel is full of nutrients, and helps to scrub teeth.

Protect teeth during sporting events. If they’re involved in a contact sport, have your child use a soft, plastic mouth guard during practice and games. A mouth guard will protect teeth, gums, lips, and cheeks from injury. You can find one at a local convenience or drugstore, or have your pediatric dentist develop a custom-fitted guard.

Consult with your child’s dentist about applying sealants. It’s increasingly common for dentists to apply a sealant to school-age children’s back molars. Sealants work by filling the crevices of back teeth where food particles can get stuck. The application process is fast and easy, and can protect teeth for many years if your child has a regular dental check-up at least once a year.

For more details please Contact Us....... Sen's Dental Clinic & Braces Center..... 9830464066 / 9163927966.