From Baby Teeth to Adult Teeth: A Parent’s Guide to Child Dental Health
As a parent, maintaining your child’s dental care is very important. From the moment the first teeth appear to adult teeth proper dental practices for every stage of development will significantly help you ensure your child’s overall health. Parents need to understand and learn how to care for their child’s oral health at different stages of their teeth development, starting with the first tooth even if it is not visible but requires care. To ensure a healthy smile for a lifetime, regular visits to a dentist in Mequon, WI will help you ensure that your child’s dental care is up to date and any issues will be promptly addressed. Also, read this article which talks about the factors that play a role in your children’s dental health.
Incorporating Proper Oral Hygiene
To build a proper oral health habit for a lifetime it is important to begin practicing oral care from an early stage. When the first teeth emerge at the age of 6-12 months start cleaning the teeth with soft cloths after you feed them. When more teeth start to emerge start using soft bristle small-size toothbrushes with toothpaste that contains fluoride. Reminding them to floss every time after they finish eating and helping them do it in the initial stages. This will build a lifetime habit of cleaning their mouth every time after they eat. After the teeth development make sure you do not feed them just before they sleep causing cavities. As they grow older enough to floss their mouth properly teach them to use mouthwash properly and use antimicrobial mouthwash.
Nutrition For Oral Hygiene
To ensure the strong formation of teeth nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus are essential. Incorporate a balanced diet containing leafy vegetables, dairy products, lean proteins, fruits, and whole grains. Limit the daily intake of processed sugary foods and carbonated beverages these will instigate cavities and tooth decay. Remind them to not eat just before sleeping and to floss their mouth properly after eating every time to remove food particles.
Common Dental Issues
Taking preventive measures is an effective solution, yet some issues will arise as they grow up. If you are aware of how you can solve the issue it will help you to prevent long-term dental problems. Cavities are one of the most common issues in children, which occur due to bacteria feeding on the sugars present in the mouth. This increases the loss of tooth enamel thus elevating the sensitivity from hot and cold food. As permanent teeth start to emerge there is not enough space which leads to misalignment which causes ulcers in the mouth. If the child has the habit of thumbsucking and pacifier even after 3 years of age they might affect the alignment of their jaw and teeth. Early dental checkups for all the issues will help them to cure it faster.
Parent’s: A Role Model
When building habits of proper oral hygiene in children it is important to be a good role model for them, as many of their hygiene habits will come from your habits because they learn from imitation. Starting brushing and flossing with them daily will encourage them. Get them toothbrushes and toothpaste in fun colors. Praising them for their good habits will make them excited to follow the routines. After eating floss with them make them understand the importance and follow the habit of not eating too much sugary food and carbonated drinks.
Do Not Miss The Regular Checkups!
From the time your child starts to emerge to adulthood, regularly check up with your dentist to ensure the oral health of your child is proper. Timely detected issues will help you solve them quickly avoiding too much pain and trouble if it gets serious. This habit of regularly checking up will help your children avoid major concerns even after they become adults.
