Tooth decay is one of the most common afflictions amongst children, and kids who develop cavities in their baby teeth are more likely to develop them in their adult teeth as well. It is important to instil proper habits for oral care and protect your child against tooth decay.
HOW I CAN PROTECT MY CHILD FROM TOOTH DECAY?
Exposure to liquids containing sugar over long durations are a large cause to tooth decay in children, so it is important to limit consumption of fruit juices and soda. Sippy cups promote this exposure, so be sure to only fill it with water and don’t allow them to take it to bed. The earlier they can learn to drink from a regular cup, the better, as it promotes less contact of the fluids with the teeth. It is also important to limit your child’s intake of sugary or starchy foods, specially those that remain stuck in the teeth after eating, like toffee or chewy candies!
WHEN SHOULD MY CHILD SEE A DENTIST?
Taking your child to a dentist regularly is the best way to prevent oral health problems. The first dental visit should occur after your child’s first tooth erupts or they reach their first birthday, whichever comes first. Past the first visit, follow-up appointments should occur every 6 months. Depending on the dentist, and the case, you might be recommended to bring your child every 3 months, to encourage a familiarization with the dentist’s office to reduce anxiety, and to carefully monitor the child’s tooth and mouth development. In addition to regular examinations contributing to development observations, the dentist will be able to suggest proper oral hygiene care and preventative measures where needed.
HOW CAN I PROMOTE MY CHILD’S ORAL HEALTH AT HOME?
At home oral hygiene is very important, and a parent should care for their child’s oral hygiene until they are old enough to take on the routine themselves. Promoting good oral health is as easy as following these simple steps:
- Ensure that your child brushes their teeth twice daily for at least two minutes each time. When the child reaches the age of 2, it is appropriate to use a pea sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a soft toothbrush. Before the child is 2, only water is necessary. And before they have teeth, wipe their gums with clean, damp cloth.
- As soon as they have teeth that touch each other, you should begin flossing their teeth.
- Be aware of excess thumb, finger or pacifier sucking, as these are habits that can cause a future misalignment of the teeth.
- Make sure your child drinks fluoridated water. Usually tap water has fluoridated water, but you will need to seek out fluoridated bottled water if your region’s tap water does not.
- When your child is old enough, positively encourage them to brush or floss their own teeth. Monitor the way they do it to make sure the technique is thorough enough.
- Brush and floss your teeth with your child to lead by example, teaching them the importance of proper oral hygiene.