subject: How To Care For Your Child's Teeth- Start Early, Making Brushing And Flossing Normal Part Of Their L [print this page] Practicing good oral health in your family will help protect your child's bright smile and future. Taking good care of your child's teeth is important because even baby teeth help your child chew food and speak clearly. Baby teeth hold space in your child's mouth so that permanent teeth can grow straight. If you start your child off with good dental habits, your child will find it easier to keep those good habits forever. As a parent, it is important that you set up appropriate habits for your child to give them a strong, healthy smile.
Start Visiting the Dentist during Infancy
Cleaning a child's teeth should begin when the first tooth is visible, because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Wipe your baby's teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. A leading cause of tooth decay among young children is known as "baby bottle syndrome," which is when an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night and the baby falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. Prolonged exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids that pool around the teeth can cause discoloration and decay.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday. At your child's first dental visit, your dentist will:
*Check your child's teeth for decay and signs of early developmental problems
*Explain how to care for your child's teeth
*Answer any questions or concerns you might have
Watch What your Children Eat
The dietary habits of school children encourage an increase in sugar intake, which can lead to a greater risk of cavities. Parents can help their children prevent tooth decay and cavities at school by monitoring their eating habits. Offering healthy snack alternatives such as apples, bite-size carrots or other foods that are naturally sweet can help in the long run. Additionally, parents can instruct their children to avoid candies, chocolate, caramels, soda, chocolate milk, and other foods that contain refined sugar.
Cavity-causing organisms feed on sugar, turning it into an acid that attacks tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. Sticky, chewy candy can linger on teeth throughout the day. If your children do eat sugary snacks at lunch, they should brush and rinse with water or eat a piece of fruit to help clean tooth surfaces and gums. In addition, parents should consider sealants applied by their dentist as another way to protect their children's teeth from cavities. Sealants are a thin coating of bonding material that is applied over a tooth, and acts as a barrier to cavity-causing bacteria.
Your child's teeth are important for eating, talking, and learning, therefore your child should visit a dentist by the time he or she reaches one year of age. By taking a few steps early in your child's life, you can establish a pattern to help ensure that your baby continues to have a healthy smile throughout their life. Contact your family dentist in Santa Monica to schedule an appointment for your child, to further maintain good oral health.
