As a parent, you should ensure that your child’s teeth are healthy. It is their job to help their child eat and talk. Strong oral care helps your child learn good dental habits as they grow up. Too little oral care can lead to infections or other problems with your teeth.
These tips can help make dental care more fun:
- Choose a toothbrush for your kids. They can choose their favorite color or have a favorite person.
- Let your kids help you choose toothpaste, but don’t let them choose it alone. It’s up to them to choose the flavor they like best.
- Take a look at books or videos that talk about how to clean your teeth.
- Kids should brush their teeth for two minutes with a timer to ensure they do it. Or play their favorite song to help them keep track of the clock.
- When kids clean their teeth well, reward them. Do not give them food or sweets. Instead, offer something healthy or simple, like apple slices or a gold star.
- After your child goes to the dentist, plan a fun thing to do.
Use of Fluoride
Fluoride has a big part to play in the way that teeth grow.You need to make sure your child’s teeth are healthy with fluoride. It is thought to help keep healthy baby primary teeth and adult teeth. It also helps to make teeth strong by making the enamel of the teeth more durable. Most kids get fluoride in their drinking water because it’s in the water they drink. Many cities have to add fluoride to the water that comes out of their faucets because they have to. They don’t remove fluoride and are safe to use. It would help if you did not use “reverse osmosis” water filters because they can make your water taste bad.
If your water doesn’t have fluoride in it, your child may need to take an oral fluoride supplement to make sure their teeth stay strong. Your doctor can tell you if your child needs this. When your child starts going to the dentist, they will get a fluoride varnish or teeth cleaning.
Having too much fluoride can make your child’s teeth look bad and hurt their health. Check to make sure your child doesn’t eat fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash or get it in their eyes or mouth. Follow all the directions for fluoride supplements, as well.
Proper Brushing and Flossing
When you brush and floss, you keep your mouth clean.Start teaching your child about good dental hygiene when he or she is a little boy or girl. A soft, child-sized toothbrush should be used around 1 or 2. You should at least brush your child’s teeth with water twice a day. A small amount of toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride can also be added to help your teeth stay strong and healthy. You can give your child this toothpaste, and they won’t have to worry about it. When your child is old enough to spit out the toothpaste, you can switch to a toothpaste that has fluoride in them. Only use a little. Teach your child how to spread it out between their teeth, gums, and tongue. Have your doctor or dentist show you how to clean your child’s teeth.
Your child will likely need your help brushing their teeth until they are 7 or 8. Around this time, they can start to use a bigger toothbrush. It would help if you change your toothbrush every three to six months or when the bristles start to look worn. Children need to brush their teeth for two minutes, and they should do it every day. Your child needs to floss as part of their oral care. Children should floss at least once a day. If you want, you can buy floss that comes with a handle, so it’s easier to use.
It would help if you also taught your child how to brush their tongue because this is important. Here, you can cut down on how many germs are in your mouth.
Your child should know to brush their teeth before going to bed after eating and drinking everything except water.
Cavities
A cavity is a hole that grows inside one or more of your teeth and then gets bigger. People sometimes get these when they have a lot of bacteria (germs) in their mouths. It can damage your teeth if sugar in food and drinks turns into acid. Children are more likely to get cavities because their teeth can be more difficult to clean, which leads to more cavities. Everyone in your family should look after their teeth.
Diet
Sugary foods and drinks are also bad for kids who eat many of them. It is important to choose healthy foods. Avoid adding too much sugar. Don’t let your child drink a lot of soda or fruit juice. Keep sweet snacks and drinks away from meals. Keep their teeth clean after they have sugar.
Older kids can chew gum without getting sick. It can be good for things like:
- The jaw is getting stronger.
- Saliva is made by salivating.
- Getting rid of bits of food.
- An acid that can cause tooth decay needs to be balanced out.
- Breathing in the fresh air.
However, gum that has sugar in it can cause cavities. You can limit how much sugar gum your child eats, or you can only give them sugar-free gum.
The safety of your mouth
It’s also important to keep your teeth clean and safe. Children who play sports should wear a mouthguard. Retainer: This soft, plastic one goes over your teeth and sometimes your lips. It helps to keep your child’s mouth safe. Your dentist can help you get a custom-fit mouthguard.
Changes from baby teeth to adult teeth
Between 4 and 7 months old, most babies have their first teeth. The bottom front teeth are the first to come in most of the time. At around three years old, most kids have 20 of their first teeth.
As early as six years old, children can lose their baby teeth. They can also lose them as late as 12 years old. As baby teeth fall out and adult teeth come in, your child has a mix of teeth. They might talk to both of you and your child about possible teeth problems at this time, too. Some kids need orthodontic treatment, like braces, to get their teeth in the right place. An adult has 32 teeth. Wisdom teeth, which most people don’t get until they’re in their late teens or early adulthood, are also part of this.
Things to think about
A pacifier, thumb, or finger is normal for babies to suck on. Most kids give up this habit by the age of 4. Prolonged use can cause problems with the way your teeth are aligned. If your child still has a habit of sucking after the age of 4, talk to your dentist. They can keep an eye on your child’s teeth as they grow. Before the front teeth come in around age 6, there isn’t much to worry about in most kids.
Your child will be more at ease if they start going to the dentist when they are young. It also helps you start a good habit of going to the dentist regularly. All of us should see the dentist twice a year.
At Cottleville Smiles, you can get the best Children Dental Care in Cottleville, MO. Could you make an appointment with Us?
