4 Tips for Taking Care of Your Child’s Teeth
Encouraging and promoting proper dental hygiene during a child’s formative years put them well on the path to developing healthy dental habits. Put intentional care and attention to your child’s gums and teeth. Failure to which, your child may be at the risk of tooth decay which could, in turn, affect their ability to chew and eat, causing poor nutritional health. Here are some tips for taking care of your child’s teeth.
Brush their teeth daily
Ensure that you brush your child’s teeth at least two times a day. In the morning and at night. Use fluoride-based toothpaste to keep cavities away. In the first few months before the teeth show, wiping the gums with a wet cloth should suffice. Be careful about the amount of toothpaste you use to brush your child’s teeth.
If your child is younger than three years, an amount the size of a grain of rice is okay. If they are older, use toothpaste the size of a pea. When children are young, they may not know how to brush their teeth well. Assist them until they can do it on their own. Also, when teeth start to touch, ensure that you clean between them. Try to get out any food particles between the teeth and under the gums. Flossing is effective for preventing cavities between teeth.
Eliminate thumb sucking and pacifiers early enough
Most children suck their thumbs or use pacifiers to soothe themselves. The habits are quite commonplace with most children. However, too much of that could damage the shape of the child’s developing teeth and mouth. To be safe, eliminate the habits by the time they turn three. If your child uses a pacifier, do not coat the pacifier with sugar or honey. Also, avoid cleaning the pacifier with your mouth.
Take your child to the dentist often
Start taking your child to the dentist less than a year after teething starts. When you start early and take them regularly, it is easier to catch any dental issues. Be on the lookout for dental problems like speech lisp, excessive mouth breathing, toothaches, and grinding teeth. If you notice these or any other concerning issue between visits, find an emergency dentist whom you can contact when there is an issue that requires instant help. That said, frequent visits to the dentist are a great approach to taking care of your child’s dental health.
Watch your child’s diet
Sugary foods and drinks are some of the most significant culprits for cavities. What your child consumes affects their baby teeth. You need to take special care to prevent cavities. Limit sugary foods and drinks. Steer clear of acidic food as well. Be cautious of things like sodas, fruit juices, gummy bears, raisins, and candy. They promote bacteria growth and plaque buildup. Do not share your spoon with the child. You could pass cavity-causing bacteria through saliva.
Wrapping up
Healthy teeth play an integral role in a child’s overall health. When a child is in proper dental health, they can talk and eat without any problems. It is, therefore, necessary to encourage oral care. Set good dental habits as the child grows to avoid infections and other teeth problems.
