The Importance of Positive Oral Health in Children
National Children’s Dental Health Month is Here!
National Children’s Dental Health Month is brought to you by the ADA to create awareness of the benefits of good oral health for children. Mom and Dad? It is up to you to instill good habits and a healthy diet in your child’s daily routine to keep their mouths healthy! Keep reading this blog for tips for a healthy mouth.
Babies
Begin Early! Gently brush a baby’s gums after every feeding with a moistened washcloth or gauze. Once teeth begin to come in you can continue to use gauze and begin to graduate to a fingertip toothbrush, and then to a soft toothbrush made specifically for babies. Only a smear of toothpaste on the toothbrush is needed. Remember, you cannot expect your baby to spit out all of the toothpaste, so use a very small amount.
Toddlers
Once a child turns 2, you can use a pea sized amount of toothpaste on their soft bristled toothbrush. You can allow your child to brush their own teeth, but you should brush them again to ensure all surfaces are gone over properly. Once there are teeth that touch, floss once a day for your child.
First Dental Visit
The first visit to a dentist should occur at 6 months to 1 year old. The first dental visit is important for several reasons. First of all, your child can begin to become familiar with coming to the dentist. Secondly, your dentist can examine and make sure your child’s teeth, hard, and soft tissues in the mouth are developing properly. And lastly, your dentist can discuss oral hygiene, diet, and answer any questions you may have.
For Kids
By ages 5 to 7, your child should be comfortable with going to the dentist. Children can brush on their own, however, you may still need to check and make sure it is being done properly. This is a good time to use disclosing tablets to show your child where they may be missing when they brush. You may still need to help them floss on a daily basis. Use whatever flossing tool you and your child are comfortable with. At 7, it is recommended that you take your child to see an orthodontist to check jaw growth and the positioning of teeth.
Teens
By the teenage years, coming to the dentist should be an old routine. At home, teens should be maintaining their oral health on their own, however, you may need to step in occasionally if you see that twice daily brushing and once daily flossing is not a regular habit. Drinking water to help dilute acids in the mouth should be stressed as well as limiting sports drinks, coffees, and sodas to decrease the chance of tooth decay. If your child is into sports, see your dentist to get a custom fitted mouth guard made to protect from trauma.
Tips
Reinforce good habits by allowing your child to watch you brush and floss your teeth, attend the dentist regularly, and stick to a healthy diet.
Don’t put your child to bed with a bottle, unless only water is in it. Whatever is in the bottle will sit on your child’s teeth all night and could accelerate tooth decay.
Find a manual timer or get a toothbrush with a digital timer to ensure your child’s teeth are brushed for 2 full minutes.
Make brushing time pass quickly by playing a favorite song, listening to a story, or even dancing.