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Finding your way around with infants can be quite a challenge, more so when you are a witness to their constant drools and teething pangs. And while you are focusing on relieving your child’s gum pain and making him/her as comfortable as possible, it is equally vital to start thinking about how to care for those pearly whites right at the onset.
If a newborn is born with teeth, those teeth are susceptible to decay and cavities. Children who have cavities in their baby teeth are more prone to develop cavities in their permanent teeth. According to dentists, it is critical to begin an oral care program as soon as possible.
But where must one exactly begin? What is the best way to go about it? This piece will help you get started with understanding your little one’s dental health and cater to their needs accordingly.
Understanding Oral Care for Infants
It is vital to understand that a bacteria called Streptococcus mutans is one reason why some infants are more prone to cavities. It is the principal cause of tooth decay because it feeds on sugar and produces acid, which dissolves the teeth’ protective enamel. Babies aren’t born with this bacteria, but studies have shown that they can catch it via a parent or caregiver’s saliva.
Feeding practices can also affect the health of a child’s teeth. Babies who fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth, or a pacifier coated in honey or sugar, are in danger of developing baby bottle tooth disease. This occurs when sugar builds around their teeth as they sleep and feeds the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, causing decay.
At a tender age, oral hygiene is also essential. When a baby’s first tooth appears, it is time to begin brushing. Brush all around the teeth gently with a small, soft toothbrush and a tiny smear of toothpaste. The fluoride in toothpaste helps to strengthen the enamel on teeth, making them more resistant to decay. Although fluoride isn’t damaging to their health, too much of it might cause dental fluorosis, a chalky white appearance in developing teeth.
Children should begin attending the dentist by their first birthday or six months after their first tooth erupts.
Toothbrushing for Toddlers
You will have to lead the charge until your child gets the ability to brush his teeth. Giving your child something to play with or watch can be a helpful diversion if they are not cooperating. Brushing twice a day and wiping away excess toothpaste with a piece of gauze until the child learns to spit is recommended at this age. Besides, rather than monitoring them, participating at least once in their tooth brushing routine with them can prove to be much more effective.
Preschool and Beyond
You can start putting a little larger, pea-sized dollop of toothpaste on the toothbrush once a toddler can spit. Brushing should be done twice a day, for two minutes each time, for children aged three and up. And don’t forget about flossing which can go a long way in maintaining their overall oral care. Incorporating minor, thoughtful changes and developing healthy dental habits from the beginning will enable them with a strong set of teeth and fearless smiles for a prolonged time.
