Caring for your child’s teeth should begin before they even show up. Start early and get a routine down!
You may think skipping a few years of taking care of your newborn’s mouth is okay, but infant dental care is just as important as taking care of your mouth during your teen years. So before you skip brushing, let’s talk about the best way to take care of your child’s mouth from the beginning!
Infants
Your child’s mouth and gums should be cleaned at least once twice per day. Use a soft bristle toothbrush or a clean washcloth to wipe germs from their gums. Children less than a year old experience a critical development in their teeth and gums. To ensure they are on track for their development, take your child to the dentist when their first tooth has appeared. This will get them used to visiting a dentist regularly as well as prevent tooth decay. To help prevent decay, send your child to bed without a bottle in their mouth or a bottle filled with plain water. Milk, juice, and other liquids contain sugar which will rot the teeth if not wiped away before bedtime.
Toddlers
Between the ages of 1 and 2, your child should have their teeth brushed twice a day with water and a special baby toothbrush. Make sure to brush their teeth after eating breakfast and before bed. All teeth should appear in their mouth by two years of age. Ask your dentist about any sucking habits your child may have. Pacifiers and thumb sucking, while soothing, can alter the shape of your child’s teeth and mouth. Talk with your dentist about the best way to ween your child out of these habits. Although it seems natural to give your child juice, juice contains vitamins AND sugar. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth which could cause tooth decay. To cut down on the sugar, give them a cup of no-sugar added or diet juice only at meal times.
The Terrible Twos
This age group definitely needs their own category. As your child grows, should their toothbrush. By two years old, your child should be using a child-sized soft bristled toothbrush, brushing their own teeth with supervision, using fluoride toothpaste, and flossing. Make sure your child knows not to swallow the toothpaste. If you are worried, use child toothpaste that is fluoride free. Use a toothpaste with a good flavor they like in an effort to motivate them to brush twice a day. They should also visit their Catonsville Dental Care dentist once a year for checkups.
Taking care of your child’s teeth should change as they grow and start to change. Make sure you are taking care of their teeth to give them the best foundation for a healthy mouth!
Catonsville Dental Care
Regularly seeing your Catonsville Dental Care dentist will help to determine if your child’s dental routines need modifications. For more information on pediatric dental care as well as other preventative dental care services, call Catonsville Dental Care today! Call today at 410-747-1115, or submit any questions by visiting CatonsvilleDentalCare.com