There is no such thing as too early when it comes to oral health care. Do know that even before a child is born, their primary teeth are already present beneath the gums. That is why dental associations highly encourage parents to clean their baby’s mouth even before a tooth erupts. It is best done using a clean, damp cloth or gauze to wipe the gums gently. If a tooth does emerge (usually on the sixth month), their first ever dental visit should be scheduled.
Since children are still too young to understand the importance of oral health care, it is the responsibility of parents to teach them little by little. We at Salt Run Family Dentistry believe that, if everything is performed correctly, children can benefit from it for many years. To help parents secure their children’s oral health, here are some tips.
Early Oral Health Care Tips
For babies without any teeth yet, keeping their gums healthy is a must
- As mentioned above, a clean, soft, and damp cloth or gauze can do the job
- Parents should clean the gums for at least twice a day
- It is best to wipe the baby’s gums after feeding and before bedtime
Doing this gets rid of the notorious plaque that can put the erupting teeth at risk.
If the primary teeth start to erupt…
- Parents can now use a toothbrush (preferably with soft-bristles, small head, and large handle) and a dab of fluoridated toothpaste.
- It is best to start flossing as soon as there are teeth that grow side by side.
- Avoid putting the infant to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Bacteria will take advantage of the sugary liquids to initiate the formation of cavities.
- A sippy cup helps in the transition of children from bottles to glass. However, it should not be used all day long, especially if sugary liquids are placed inside. It increases the change of the front and back teeth in developing cavities.
- Pacifiers are used to help alleviate the pain during teething. Children 2 years old and above should not use this device anymore since it can affect the alignment of the teeth and even change the shape of their mouth.
- Control their consumption of fruit drinks since these contain high levels of sugar.
- Do not let children skip any brushing, flossing, and rinsing sessions. Doing so will not help them convince the importance of these habits.
Despite the observance of the things listed above, children still need the attention of dental professionals. We at Salt Run Family Dentistry can optimize the oral health care parents provide to their children with the help of Children’s Dentistry services!
Your child deserves outstanding dental care services as well, so we provide Children’s Dentistry in St. Augustine, FL! Book their appointment with us at Salt Run Family Dentistry and let us help them achieve beautiful and healthy teeth that can last for many years.