Your child’s future growth and development depends heavily on the foundations that you build during his early years.
That also applies to his oral health.
Your child’s initial years are marked by rapid growth and development. And with the flurry of milestones and activities, parents sometimes overlook taking proper care of their little ones’ oral health.
This should not be the case.
Most of the habits that your child picks up as he grows start during his formative years. And as a parent, you would want to give your child a good head start, including in aspects related to his dental and overall health and well-being.
That means teaching your child, as early as possible, the importance of practicing good oral hygiene habits which he should take with him to adulthood. These include regular brushing and flossing, eating healthy and balanced meals, and visiting the dentist at least twice a year.
Ideally, your child should be able to schedule his first appointment with a Sterling Heights dentist at around the age of two.
This will provide you and your child the opportunity to take better care of your child’s teeth through solid advice from a trusted professional, as well as to monitor potential problems before these spiral out of control.
Furthermore, when a child is exposed to the environment of a dental clinic, he develops a sense of confidence and positivity, warding off the fear of the dentist which can undermine his oral health.
Taking care of a child’s teeth requires a solid partnership between parents and dentists.
But what exactly can you, as a parent, do to take better care of your little darling’s teeth? Here are a few practical toddler tooth care tips.
Helping your kid deal with the eruption of his first teeth
Your child’s first tooth will emerge at the age of six months. His first set of teeth will continue to come out until the age of three.
The eruption of teeth can bring discomfort in young children, making them irritable. In order to minimize the effects of teeth eruption, there are a few things that you can do. These include placing a cold spoon or a teething ring in your child’s mouth and using pain relief gels.
Brushing your young one’s teeth
Parents should closely monitor and supervise their child’s tooth brushing until their children reach the age of six.
For toddlers, parents should use an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste. Remember that your child does not need too much toothpaste. A small amount, roughly the size of a pea, will do.
Invest in a soft-bristled toothbrush for your child. In brushing your child’s teeth, make sure that you clean all surfaces using a soft, back and forth motion.
Dealing with thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is a reflex action among babies and toddlers. Simply put, this is normal among children of this age. Ideally, your child should outgrow this habit before the emergence of his permanent teeth.
However, parents should take the necessary steps to wean their children off this habit when it persists upon the eruption of the permanent teeth. Otherwise, this can lead to a few dental health problems, including tooth decay and bite problems.