One of the biggest mistakes any parent can make is to neglect their little one’s teeth. Yes, those baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by new permanent teeth but it is still incredibly important to properly care for infant’s teeth. Tooth cavities in children can cause a lot of pain, resulting in bad breath and can also affect your child’s ability to eat when the affected teeth need to be removed. It isn’t easy to remove the bad teeth in young children either. Most young children will have to be hospitalised and will require anesthesia in order to get affected teeth removed or repaired.
But caring for your little one’s teeth when they are still small isn’t the easiest of tasks. By the time your child is two and a half years old, he or she will have 20 milk teeth that you need to take good care of. Children at this age and younger are not physically capable of brushing their own teeth and it is up to the parent to do the brushing and cleaning for them. In fact, dental experts advise that you should continue to brush your teeth for your child until the age of seven to ensure that plaque is removed effectively and to give your child the best possible care. Here is a quick guide to help you care for your babies teeth.
You can clean the teeth of small babies by wrapping gauze or muslin around your finger and by applying a little bit of toothpaste. This method is often much better than a toothbrush because you can feel where you are cleaning and the toothbrush cannot harm their sensitive gums. As more teeth start to appear you will need to switch over to a better tool. Get a baby toothbrush with soft nylon bristles and a small head. Remember to replace infant toothbrushes every one to three months.
Different kinds of toothpaste contain different amounts of fluoride which removes plaque and prevents decay. Most kids toothpaste will have age references on the toothpaste itself. Buy toothpaste that suits the recommended age and use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing the teeth of a small child. Children under the age of three should have a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Those older than three can use a toothpaste with a higher fluoride level or even adult toothpaste.
Baby teeth need to be brushed twice a day. The best time is during the morning and right before bed. You can brush your little one’s teeth by sitting him in your lap, away from you. Allow your little one to look in the mirror as you brush and sing a happy toothbrush song to encourage brushing. You don’t have to rinse a baby’s teeth because the low fluoride toothpaste will enhance protection but you should ensure that his or her teeth are brushed properly.
It is important not to allow a baby to sleep with a bottle, especially when a lot of milk teeth have already surfaced. Parents should try their best not to let babies form a habit of drinking during the night and especially not to let them sleep with a bottle.
It is often hard to detect tooth decay in little ones. The best way to ensure that your little one has healthy and strong teeth is by visiting your dentist. At Shine Dental Group we can get your little one’s teeth checked out and we can give you the best recommendations to repair damages that might have already happened in your little one’s teeth.
Organise a dentist appointment for your kids and get educated around the best ways to look after their teeth and avoid expensive dentistry later in life with your local Cranbourne Dental Clinic
We strive for 100% customer satisfaction. If we fell short, please tell us more so we can address your concerns.