Oral Care Tips For Children - Mothers Pay Attention

As children grow from infancy to pre-teenager age, their oral hygiene becomes one of our biggest concerns as it is an important part of their overall health. Your child's teeth and gum health would solely begin with you - this gives you the chance to put them on the right path for a lifetime of good oral hygiene.

Oral Hygiene for Infants

Toddlers are born with all of their little teeth. They don't appear immediately as they would be hidden beneath the gums. Baby teeth would begin to grow through the gums when the toddler is about 6 months old, however, it is important to care for their mouth even before teeth grow. Here are a few tips that mothers can follow to ensure their toddler's oral hygiene:

• Wipe off any milk remnants with the help of a soft washcloth after feeding. Such a habit helps remove any bacteria that may contribute to tooth decay.
• Once teeth begin to grow, it is essential to brush them twice a day with the help of fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush.
• Mothers must be careful to ensure that their toddler doesn't catch baby bottle tooth decay. We advise taking the bottle away from the child's mouth immediately after feeding.
• It is also advised to schedule your toddler's first dental appointment before their first birthday. This would help our pedodontist examine your child's oral cavity and ensure your child is in good dental health.

Oral Hygiene for Children

With growing age, it becomes a necessity to keep carrying out essential oral hygiene habits to ensure the longevity of your child's dental health. By the age of three, children would have all their baby teeth. They are also known as primary teeth. Teeth would start falling out by the age of six, and permanent teeth would set in. Here are a few tips that children can follow to ensure that their teeth remain strong and healthy:

• Ensure that your child uses a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush their teeth.
• It is advised to brush teeth for about two minutes, twice a day.
• Demonstrate to your child on ways to floss their teeth and remind them to pay proper attention to the back teeth.
• Encourage your child to wear a mouthguard while indulging in outdoor activities. This would keep them safe from injuries.
• Pay a visit to the dentist at least once in six months.

Children and pre-teenagers can also begin to use mouthwashes as it helps keep their breath fresh and also fights off harmful bacteria.

Visit Dr. Malaki to find out more about your child’s dental health. Call our office today to schedule your appointment with us.