February is Children’s Dental Health Month and it’s important that your child’s oral health is
important to their overall health. Dental health begins from when your child gets their first
tooth. Tooth decay can occur in babies if their teeth are not being taken care of so it’s essential
that you start your child off well with good dental habits.
As soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts, you should begin toothbrushing with a soft-bristled
toothbrush specifically designed for infants and toothpaste containing fluoride. You only need
to use a small amount (the size of a grain of rice) until they reach the age of 3 and should clean
twice a day, generally after breakfast and before bedtime. After 3, you can use a pea-sized
amount of toothpaste. Once your child is able to swish and spit on their own, they can start
using a normal amount of toothpaste. Typically, this happens when a child reaches 5 or 6 years
of age.
Teach your kids the proper way to brush their teeth. Your child’s dentist can also assist in this
process. If your child has a hard time sticking to their cleaning routine, consider using music or a
counting game to keep them engaged in brushing for two minutes, twice per day (which is the
recommended amount of time). Young children should be assisted or supervised until they
reach about the age of 10 or when they mastered cleaning their teeth on their own. Also, as the
back molars are the most common teeth to get cavities, it’s important to make sure that the
brush goes all the way back in the mouth and to teach your child how to do this when they
begin brushing their own teeth.
Fluoride is very important for your child’s dental health. Fluoride is a natural mineral that can
help prevent cavities and keep the teeth strong. It can rebuild the enamel on the teeth and
protect the teeth from damage. Fluoride can be found in drinking water and toothpaste.
Flossing is another important step in the cleaning process. Flossing gets rid of plaque and food
in between teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. If plaque is not removed, it can harden and
turn into tartar, which can lead to gum disease. Teach your kids how to properly floss between
their teeth. For older kids with braces or fixed retainers, they will need floss products like water
flossers and tooth picks that are designed for those specifically.
If you decide to use mouthwash to maintain your child’s oral health, it is recommended that
you wait until they are 6 or 7 years old, since younger children are at a higher risk of
accidentally swallowing it. Make sure to teach your child how to rinse with mouthwash and let
them know that it’s not safe to swallow it. It’s also best to use mouthwash that is alcohol-free.
In addition to practicing good hygiene habits, it’s also important to pay attention to your child’s
diet as it plays a key role in their dental health. Limit the amount of sugar that they consume, including sugary beverages. Sugar can cause bacteria on your child’s teeth to grow, leading to
cavities.
Always keep up with your child’s dental visits for routine cleaning and checkups. Doing so can
ensure that any potential issues such as cavities are addressed early to prevent the problems
from worsening.
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