During the early stages of life, a child goes through his first experience of oral health. Sound dental care habits are imperative to enjoy the benefits of having healthy teeth for a lifetime. It is critical to teach them how to take care of their teeth and normalize the idea of visiting the dentist. Establishing the dentist’s role as a friendly healthcare provider right from the beginning will eliminate dental fear later.
Pediatricians recommend taking your child to the dentist in Sunshine by twelve months of age or within six months after their first tooth erupts. All twenty teeth erupt in the first 30 months of the baby’s birth; while permanent teeth will replace the initial teeth, it is still essential to take care of the teeth. However, many parents do not realize the importance of early dental visits. Keep reading this post to know the importance of early dental care in children.
Dental Care for Kids Under Four
Even before the first teeth erupt, parents can start by wiping the babies’ gums with a wet clean piece of cloth to clean their mouth and get them used to the sensation of brushing. Fidgety toddlers need to be laid down while brushing their teeth, making it easier to access their teeth and control them. Wrapping your child in a towel is helpful to keep their hands from coming on the way while cleaning their mouth. While the regular two-minute brushing rule does not apply to toddlers, cleaning all surfaces like the teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue is essential. Suppose you fear your child will accidentally swallow the paste.
In that case, you can even dip their brush in fluoride rinse instead to get the same benefits as the toothpaste. Also, at this stage, it is essential to ensure that the kids are never left unattended when they are cleaning their teeth to prevent them from hurting their mouths.
Dental Care for Kids Between 5-8 Year Old’s
Kids have now become independent and start to learn to brush on their own it is essential to monitor the child’s brushing habits and technique. At this stage, you can graduate to achieving two minutes mark for teeth brushing. Parents can start setting a timer or using a two-minute song to time the activity. Ensure kids brush well, especially at night, as cavities are most likely to grow at night.
Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride, assist a child with flossing and ensure that their teeth are cleaned well to prevent cavities, and clean the tongue well to avoid bad breath.
Dental care for Kids 9+
Children get more and more independent and can handle brushing their teeth independently. However, it is important to supervise children while they brush their teeth. Therefore, it is essential to teach the children the proper technique to brush their teeth and watch them. In addition, remind your kids to slow down when they brush their teeth and clean their teeth, gums, and tongue to eliminate plaque development.
Finally, ensure that they floss regularly.
Conclusion
Oral care is essential for individuals at all stages of life. Dental hygiene eliminates the unwanted growth of bacteria and plaque in the mouth. Additionally, by starting early, kids develop good dental habits at the early stages of their life. Finally, regular dental visits will ensure your child forms healthy associations about visiting the dentist.
