Since your child is still too young to understand and learn everything yet, it is every parent’s job to help them along the way. One of the most important things to teach them while early is proper oral care. If practiced early, they are more likely to make it a habit until they grow older—benefiting them in the long run. Doing so is a must since the number one dental problem they may experience is tooth decay.
Unfortunately, many parents think that cavities on their child’s primary teeth are no big deal since these structures are supposed to fall out anyway. However, if the cavities to your child’s baby teeth are left unattended, these can affect even their permanent teeth and also lead to dental troubles in the future. So, how to prevent these adverse consequences? We at Danbury Dental Services prepared some tips for parents to help their little ones. Read on below!
Toothbrushing
Once the first tooth of your child erupts, teaching and helping them to brush at least two times a day is a must. For added protection to their teeth, use a grain-sized smear of fluoridated toothpaste on a child-sized toothbrush.
Use of toothpaste
By the age of three, the child can upgrade to a pea-sized fluoridated toothpaste to help fight cavities. If your child happens to complain about the flavor of toothpaste, it is best to switch to a different flavor. Although it is still quite hard for them to rinse and spit, make sure to teach them not to swallow the toothpaste to avoid the possibility of yellow or brown spots on their permanent teeth.
Proper brushing motions
Young children are more likely to concentrate only on their front teeth when brushing. Although the direction used when brushing does not really matter, it is best to cover each tooth when cleaning thoroughly—top, bottom, inside, and out. Since young children can’t do this effectively yet, make sure to supervise them or brush them yourself.
Sugar
Aside from proper oral hygiene and the use of fluoridated toothpaste, your child’s diet also plays a vital role in their oral health. The most common culprit that can lead to dental troubles is sugar. The longer and more frequent their teeth are exposed to sugar, the higher the risk of developing cavities. That is why it is ideal for parents to teach them to avoid sweets like gum, toffee, caramel, and dried fruits, which tends to stay in the mouth longer. If they do eat these candies, make sure to have their teeth brushed afterward. It is also best not to give them any sugary-beverages in their sippy cups.
Schedule dental checkups
During their appointment, the dentist will check the state of their teeth to know if they are developing properly or if there are any problems present that need immediate attention. To make oral care at home more effective, the dentist will also provide some advice when it comes to oral hygiene.
For protection against cavities, our practice may offer sealants and fluoride applications. In case there is already a cavity present, our fillings service will also come in handy to prevent it from spreading further. And to make sure that any problems which require immediate attention would be handled promptly, we also cater to emergency dental care!
Help your child achieve excellent oral health while they are still young. Aside from providing them dental attention at home, let them also take advantage of professional care with the help of our Pediatric Dentistry services in Danbury, CT! Call or visit us at Danbury Dental Services for your child to get started.