Dental care for infants and toddlers
Want your kids to keep those pearly whites shiny and healthy as they grow? Well, who wouldn’t want that?
Well, are you ready to learn the ultimate secret to having perfect teeth? Well, get ready for this – it’s just good dental hygiene!
Have you ever thought for a moment that there will be some rocket science revelations here? Sorry if this has disappointed you, but the secret is to establish a good dental routine at a young age (as soon as the first baby tooth appears!).
A baby with good dental hygiene can prevent various dental problems such as cavities, gum disease, and abscesses. Mind you, these dental problems are not only painful, they may even require one or two treatments, which can be quite expensive too! Additionally, good dental hygiene can also have a long-lasting effect on facial appearance and speech development.
Promoting the development of healthy baby teeth
Your baby’s teeth begin to develop even before he is born. When your baby is 6 to 9 months old, the first tooth (also called a baby tooth or temporary tooth) will usually start to appear.
Take care of your baby’s milk teeth as if they were gold. They will serve as the basis for how mature teeth will eventually form.
How can dental problems in babies be prevented? In addition to proper brushing and regular visits to the dentist, there are still several things you can do to make sure your baby’s or any young child’s teeth stay healthy. Here are some suggestions that you may find helpful:
o Load up on calcium. Make sure your baby drinks enough milk and begins eating calcium-rich foods when he is old enough to do so. This will help ensure proper tooth development and can also help maintain good dental health.
Say no to sugar! Avoid foods and drinks rich in sugar. You may also want to try sugar-free medications whenever possible.
o Minimize contact with sugar – Sugar is not good for your baby’s dental health. However, if it cannot be avoided, try feeding your baby sugary foods only during meals. It will minimize the amount of time sweet foods spend in your child’s mouth and can help lower the risk of developing dental problems later.
o Do not add sugar to the bottle. Sugary drinks in the bottle are an absolute no-no, as they can play an important role in promoting tooth decay. When feeding your baby juice, dilute it first and ask him to drink it from a cup.
o Opt for healthy alternatives – Offer your baby some cheese or fruit as snacks between meals. These contain essential nutrients vital for good dental health.
o Children sucking their thumb or fingers should be discouraged. This is an unhealthy dental habit that can affect the development of your baby’s teeth.
o Try to avoid using pacifiers (also known as pacifiers). These can also affect your baby’s teeth. And please, if you’re going to use them anyway, don’t dip them in honey or fruit juices! That will do double the damage!