Children's Dental Health: What You Should Know

Everyone wishes that babies came with instructions. Being a new parent isn't something easy and you are constantly learning new things. Pregnant women are constantly devouring books about what to expect once their baby arrives and how to take proper care of them. However, one aspect of child care that is often overlooked, even by pediatricians, is their dental health. We tend to forget how important teeth are in so many aspects of life. This is why it is so important to learn about how you can take good care of your child's oral health, and in this article, you will find all the information you need to do so.

Take care of your child's teeth even before they erupt

It is a common misconception that you should start caring about your child's oral health once their teeth start to erupt. The truth is that oral health also involves the gums, and these require some attention from birth. You should use a damp washcloth to wipe your baby's gums after each feeding. This will help remove bacteria and keep the gums healthy.

What happens when they start teething?

Your baby's first tooth can erupt around the time they turn 6 months old. Normally, when this happens their gums can become swollen and cause some discomfort. To give your baby some relief, you could use a chilled teething ring, which will reduce the inflammation. At this point, you can start brushing your child's teeth twice a day with an infant toothbrush and some water. You should abstain from using toothpaste because the concentration of fluoride is too high and it can permanently stain their teeth. Toothpaste is only recommended after your child turns 3 years old.

When should you take your child to the dentist?

Taking your child to their first appointment with a dentist in La Crête should be as important as taking them to the pediatrician. This is recommended around the time they turn 1 year old, but in most cases, parents wait much longer to take them. The importance of taking them from a very early age is that the dentist can examine their teeth, gums, and jaw and diagnose conditions that aren't apparent to the unskilled eye. By identifying these problems early on, they can be treated before any complications.

Oral health habits

Once your child starts growing up and is more aware of their environment, you should start teaching them to maintain excellent oral health habits. You can achieve this if you lead by example. Children tend to copy everything they perceive, so if you let them see you brushing your teeth, they will want to do it as well. You should also try to make it a fun experience, by singing or dancing. This will make them want to do it every day, and in the long run, will develop their habits.

Keep their diet in check

Cavities are extremely common in children, and diet has a big role in this. You should limit the amount of candy they eat. Remember that cavities are produced by bacteria that feast on sugars. It is impossible to completely take all candy away from kids, but at least make sure that right after they eat them, they brush their teeth to avoid tooth decay.

Take them to their regular check-ups

Your child's first dentist appointment shouldn't be their last one. You should find a pediatric dentist in La Crête

with whom you feel comfortable, and take your child regularly. This will help them develop trust with their dentist and will ensure that any dental issues will be identified and treated accordingly.