Kids and dental health

Maintaining good dental health plays an important role in our overall well-being. Here are a few tips to ensure proper dental care in kids.

Parents must start giving proper dental care to their baby even before the baby’s first tooth appears. In fact, teeth actually begins to form in the baby in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, a baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which would be completely developed. Run a damp washcloth over the baby’s gums  after feedings. This will prevent the accumulation of damaging bacteria.
Do not let your baby sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth. The sugars from juice or milk that remain on the baby’s teeth for hours, could result in the disintegration of the enamel, creating a serious condition known as bottle mouth.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), a child’s first visit to the dentist must take place by his/her first birthday. Such dental visits can help a long way in the early diagnosis of dental problems.
When your child is around two-and-a-half years old, all his primary teeth would have developed. At this stage, the dentist will begin to apply topical fluoride. Fluoride helps in strengthening the tooth enamel, prevents the most common childhood oral diseases, dental caries, or cavities.
Make your child brush his teeth at least twice a day. Routine flossing will also help in maintaining a healthy mouth. Use only a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste for toddlers. When your child’s permanent teeth grows in, the dentist will help in sealing out the decay by applying a thin wash of resin to the back teeth, where most of the chewing process happens. This protective coating is known as sealant and prevents bacteria from building up in the crevices of the molars.
Call your dentist if your child complains of tooth pain. The pain could be a symptom of a cavity that must be treated. Today, new materials such as Silver, Tooth-colored resins, Crowns and Composite resins are being used by the pediatric dentist for filling and repair options.

Filed Under: Good Dental Health Practices

Tags: dental • health • kids