How to Care for Your Child’s Teeth

It’s important to start oral care for your child before their teeth emerge. The American Dental Association advises initiating dental hygiene for infants pre-teething to safeguard gums from infections. This practice ensures healthy tooth development.

Maintaining the baby teeth decay-free supports the growth and health of permanent teeth. Decay in baby teeth may harm the underlying permanent teeth, leading to irregular growth and crowding issues if a baby tooth is lost due to decay.

Proper Infant Oral Hygiene

Most infants start teething around three months, with the initial teeth typically emerging between six to nine months. By their first birthday, a baby may have about eight to nine teeth, though natural developmental disparities can lead to variations in this count.

Commencing gum cleaning early in a baby’s growth is advised. You may softly clean the baby’s gums and teeth with a gentle cloth or a soft baby toothbrush. Using toothpaste is not essential at this young age, but opt for a toothpaste designed for infants if preferred. You can contact Mona Lisa Dental for recommended infant dental care products.

Choose the Appropriate Toothpaste

Various toothpaste types serve specific purposes, underscoring the significance of selecting the appropriate one. When a child experiences tooth sensitivity, a dentist might suggest a particular toothpaste for desensitization, emphasizing cautious use. Dentists routinely advise children to brush with fluoride-containing toothpaste to enhance tooth strength. Strengthened teeth are less susceptible to cavity formation.

Stick with Water

Drinking juice or soda all day can harm children’s teeth by exposing them to excessive sugar and acid, leading to enamel erosion. When kids go to sleep with juice or milk, the issue worsens as the sugars linger on their teeth during the night. This can result in plaque buildup and acidic damage to the teeth. Baby bottle tooth decay often occurs for this reason. Instead, opt for water at night after brushing teeth and encourage children to drink water instead of soda during the day.

Clean Your Child’s Teeth Morning and Night

When your child’s teeth start showing up, keep cleaning their gums and teeth after each feed. Once the little one’s teeth are out, use a baby toothbrush with a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a rice grain) to brush twice daily. Over time, motivate your child to explore brushing. Show them how to grip the toothbrush and brush correctly. Additionally, demonstrate and assist your child in learning to spit out toothpaste.

Wear a Mouthguard

When your child gears up for a game, there’s much to remember, including helmets, shin guards, cleats, water bottles, and more. Among the essentials is a mouth guard, crucial for preventing future dental issues despite seeming bothersome now. These dental shields cushion impacts, helping children avoid injuries as highlighted by the American Dental Association, which credits mouth guards with preventing over 200,000 dental injuries. While commonly associated with school sports like lacrosse and football, mouth guards are beneficial for various activities such as snowboarding, rock climbing, or any sport putting your child’s mouth at risk of injury.

Endnote

Ensuring your children’s teeth remain healthy naturally is quite manageable. Establishing good habits and offering some guidance can pave the way for your child to enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles. Begin early, utilize the appropriate tools, and promote a well-balanced diet. By adhering to these straightforward methods for dental care, you can help maintain your child’s strong and beautiful teeth for years to come.