The Ultimate Guide to Taking Care of Children’s Teeth
As a parent, your child’s oral health is as important as their overall wellbeing. You may have received advice from the dentist on how to care for your child’s teeth, but it’s important to understand that the responsibility of maintaining your child’s oral health falls mainly on you.
In this blog post, we’ll provide valuable insights on how to take care of your child’s teeth from infancy to early adolescence.
1. Infancy and Toddlers
The earlier you start taking care of your child’s teeth, the better. Even before your baby’s teeth start to erupt, it’s essential to keep their gums clean. You can do this by wiping their gums with a clean, damp washcloth or using a soft-bristled brush with water to clean the gums.
Once your baby’s teeth start growing, you can begin their oral care routine by gently brushing them with a soft, infant toothbrush and water. Introduce a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste, ensuring they spit it out for optimal dental hygiene. It’s also important to not allow your child to drink sugary drinks especially from a bottle of a sippy cup, as this can lead to tooth decay.
Click the link for information from the Canadian Dental Association. https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/cfyt/dental_care_children/first_visit.asp
2. Preschoolers
As your child grows older, they become more independent and curious. This age group requires extra attention to ensure proper teeth care. Reinforce their brushing routine by helping them brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on their brush. Also, ensure that your child spits the toothpaste out and does not swallow it.
While it’s essential to limit sugary foods, it’s also important to be mindful of a child’s snacking habits. Encourage healthier snack options that are low in sugar. Consider fruit, cheese, and nuts as a snack.
3. School-age Children
By now, your child should have a consistent brushing routine. As they become more independent, make sure to supervise and encourage them to brush their teeth effectively. School-age children are always at risk of dental injuries when playing, so it’s important to protect their teeth with mouthguards during sports or significant activities.
Drinks such as fruit juices and soft drinks should be avoided or limited, as they contain high levels of sugar and acidity that can erode your child’s teeth. Encourage water as the go-to drink during mealtime. Staying hydrated is essential. Drinking water helps wash food debris and bacteria effectively from the teeth and gumline.
4. Adolescent
Adolescents often face dental issues such as orthodontic treatment. Supervision against poor habits such as cigarette smoking must also be enforced to prevent bad breath, gum disease, and oral cancer. Oral hygiene habits must be consistently maintained, and your child’s teeth regularly monitored by the dentist to prevent cavities and other dental problems.
To Wrap Things Up …
Children’s oral health is vital and requires consistent attention to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Knowing when to start caring for your child’s teeth, monitoring their brushing habits, selecting healthy snacks, limiting sugary drinks, and of course getting regular dental check-ups are all essential components of good oral health. Bringing your child to a dentist in Victoria, BC will help them feel comfortable with the dentist and learn how to properly brush their teeth.
Oral health has a profound role in your child’s overall wellbeing, so don’t leave their dental health to chance. Follow the steps in this blog post to ensure your child grows up with healthy teeth and gums.
For more information, contact Pacifica Dental today! Visit https://pacificadental.ca/contact/
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog.
The Team at Pacifica Dental.
