Helping take care of your child’s teeth is an important part of maintaining their overall health. If your child experiences bad oral care, serious short-term and long-term consequences can occur. Keep reading for tips on how to provide proper care for your child’s teeth and maintain oral hygiene.
Watch Their Diet
A vital step for taking care of your child’s teeth is to monitor their diet closely. While your child is still an infant, you should make sure they get plenty of calcium, vitamins, and other minerals.
Most formulas have the necessary nutrients for a healthy baby. If you breastfeed, add plenty of calcium and vitamin-rich foods, such as leafy greens, berries, and milk to your diet to ensure there are enough nutrients for your little one.
Anytime you use a bottle, be sure your baby isn’t put into bed with it. In addition to being a choking hazard, once your child’s teeth develop, the milk can soak their teeth while they sleep, which increases the risk of tooth decay.
As babies get older and start eating solid foods, introduce nutrient-rich foods into their diet. Introducing these foods early will encourage good nutrition and healthy teeth as your kids grow.
In addition to eating nutritious foods, increase water intake and limit the amount of carbonated or sugary drinks. Fruit juices should be cut with water and sweets should be given in small portions. If your kids do eat or drink something sugary, they should brush their teeth soon after.
Schedule a Dental Checkup
To ensure your child’s teeth are taken care of, you should schedule a dental checkup for them six months after their first tooth erupts. Generally, the first tooth eruption occurs when a child is between four and seven months old. At the latest, schedule them for a checkup when they are 12 months old.
During your child’s first dental appointment, your dentist can provide guidance on how to care for your child’s teeth, proper diet, and the importance of fluoride.
Prepare for Your Child's Dental Appointment
We understand it can be a scary environment for kids to come to the dentist, even if they’ve been before. Since going to the dentist is a vital step to maintaining your child’s teeth, there are several things you can do to help encourage a positive association with the dentist.
First, make sure you’re going to a dentist you trust and who is good with kids. Talk positively about going to the dentist and you can even play dentist with your kids to make it fun.
Allow your kids to bring along their favorite toy or stuffed animal to help ease their anxieties. Reading books and watching videos about going to the dentist can help make them realize that everyone goes to the dentist and there’s nothing to be afraid of. Some of our favorite books include
- The Tooth Book by Dr. Seuss
- The Berenstain Bears Visit the Dentist by Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Brush Brush Brush by Alicia Padron
- Show Me Your Smile! A Visit to the Dentist (Dora the Explorer)
- Dentist Trip (Peppa Pig)
- Elmo Visits the Dentist by P.J. Shaw
Here at Cornerstone Dental, we do our best to help ease anxieties as well. Our office dog, Mischa, loves children and will sit on their laps during appointments. We also offer blankets and sunglasses for those that get nervous during their appointment.
We also love the video below for some added encouragement to kids going to the dentist.
Teach Good Oral Hygiene Habits
You’ll be in charge of taking care of your child’s teeth while they are young. As your child ages, you can teach them how to take care of their teeth. Brush at least twice per day for two minutes, floss, and use mouthwash. Incorporate it into their daily routine to establish good habits.
Make oral care fun by letting your kids pick out their toothbrush or fluoride toothpaste. There are even toothbrushes that will sing for two minutes while your child brushes.
To help your child understand the importance of taking care of their teeth, create a routine that you can do with them in the mornings and evenings. Seeing you taking care of your teeth will help your kids take care of their teeth.
Cleaning Your Child's Teeth
Before your child’s teeth develop, you can wipe their gums with clean gauze or a damp washcloth daily. According to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, when your child’s first tooth comes in, use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and a grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to clean the front and back of the tooth as well as along the gum line.
Once your child is two years old, you can switch to a kids’ toothbrush, but continue using the same amount of fluoride toothpaste. After kids turn three, you can increase the toothpaste to a pea-sized amount.
Soothing Your Child's First Tooth
If you suspect your child’s first tooth is erupting and you want to make them more comfortable, there are several tried and true techniques you can implement.
Wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and antibacterial soap and rub your infant’s gums with your finger gently. You can allow them to gently chew on your finger, pacifier, or cool teething ring.
It’s important to make sure the ring is cold, but not frozen. There are also topical creams you can rub on their gums and infant over-the-counter pain medication if your baby is having an especially difficult time.
To ensure proper care for your child’s teeth, start brushing as soon as they come in with a fluoride toothpaste. When your kids are old enough, teach them how to care for their teeth and monitor the diet for healthy, nutrient-rich foods.
If your child is old enough for a dental appointment, schedule one with us at Cornerstone Dental today. Dr. Wright can’t wait to meet your child and help them with their oral hygiene.
Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?
If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.
