Maintaining children’s dental health is essential for their general health. Parents and teachers play a vital role in teaching children the importance of good oral hygiene and giving them beautiful smiles as they grow up. Routine dental care and apt oral hygiene measures at home can prevent dental problems and incorporate oral hygiene discipline in children, which will help them in the long run.
This article will guide you through the importance of maintaining kids’ teeth at an early age from a pediatric dentist‘s perspective.
The Importance Of Children’s Oral Health
Healthy teeth are essential for proper speech, chewing, biting, and digestion. A good smile helps boost kids’ confidence as they grow up. Ignoring oral health can lead to tooth cavities, food lodgement, gum swelling, and pain in children.
Hence, as a parent, you must ensure that your kid’s teeth are properly cared for at home. Also, you can consider an occasional visit to your pediatric dentist to ensure that your child’s oral health is maintained correctly to avoid cavities and other oral health issues in the future.
10 Tips for Children’s Oral Health
Let’s explore the best practices for you to maintain your kid’s teeth and overall oral hygiene:
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The Basics
The child’s first dental visit should be before the first tooth eruption in the oral cavity. Newborn oral care involves gently cleaning the gums with a damp cloth after every feed or meal. Make sure your child drinks enough water after every meal. Milk residue remains on the teeth and gums longer, resulting in a carious process.
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Gentle Brushing
When the first tooth erupts, use a finger brush without toothpaste or a soft brush with non-fluoridated toothpaste, as children cannot spit out the toothpaste. Non-fluoridated toothpastes are safe for kids. Kids above three years of age use a brush with a soft bristle and fluoride toothpaste.
Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for kids aged three and above and rice grain for children below three. Brushing teeth is advised twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime. Brushing can be made fun of by having fancy superhero toothbrushes. There are apps on the app store that make the brushing experience fun for kids.
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Flossing
Adjacent teeth need cleaning where the brush does not reach. For such spaces, flossing helps remove food debris and plaque. Milk teeth are already spaced and do not require flossing as they are self-cleansable. However, permanent teeth need flossing after the age of 7. Guide children to floss gently and observe them while they floss to avoid any oral injury.
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Limit Sugar – Add Nutrition
A balanced diet includes fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and proteins. Limiting sugar in snacks and drinks can help reduce cavities and decay, as sugar is the leading cause of tooth decay. Increase water intake as an essential beverage after every sugary meal.
Avoid nighttime feeds, as this deposits sugar in milk on the tooth surface, leading to early childhood caries. Avoid sticky food containing too much sugar. Make sure sugar-containing food is served during meals rather than individual meals.
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Regular Dental Visits
It is important to visit a pediatric dentist routinely. Schedule a child’s first dental visit when the first tooth appears. Early visits help maintain a child’s oral health and establish comfort early so they get used to their dentist from a young age.
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Fluoride Against Cavity
Fluoride prevents tooth decay by reinforcing the outer surface of teeth. Topical fluoride gels, varnishes, and toothpastes deliver fluoride to the teeth. For stronger dentition, they must be applied at the dental office every six months.
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Remineralization
Children have white spot lesions on their teeth, which are the beginning of cavitation. These can be treated minimally by using remineralizing agents. Xylitol and aspartame have remineralization properties. Toothpaste like Remin helps with such white spot lesions.
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Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement in the form of praise or gifts encourages the child to maintain their oral hygiene routine in kids. Kids can be taught to create a reward journal and document the brushing goals they have achieved when they appreciate the little efforts kids make to help them continue doing such things.
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Mouthguards For Safety
Children active in sports should wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard is an oral appliance that protects against forces on teeth, lips, and tongue, preventing oral injuries or trauma.
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Be Observant
Regularly check the child’s mouth for new cavities, teeth, or gum swelling. If you notice any concerns regarding their dental health, such as white spot lesions, swelling, persistent pain, cavity, food lodgement, or discoloration, consult a pediatric dentist immediately.
Conclusion
Early dental care is crucial for your child’s overall well-being. By instilling dental hygiene habits like brushing and flossing and scheduling regular checkups with a pediatric dentist, you can lay a strong foundation for your kids’ teeth health from a young age.
Are you looking for a Reliable Pediatric Dentist in New Prague, MN?
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