How to Maintain Child Dental Health?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that parents take their children for a first dental visit by the time of the child’s first birthday. If the child has a tooth erupt sooner than that, parents should bring the child too see a pediatric dentist sooner than the first birthday. Child dental health requires early adoption of good oral health habits.
Even before bringing a child to the pediatric dentist, though, parents need to begin working with their child’s dental health habits at home. After each infant feeding, parents should take a clean, wet washcloth and gently wipe down the baby’s gums. While wiping, the parent should massage the gums as well. When teeth begin to erupt, parents should brush them gently with a very tiny amount of fluoridated, child-safe toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Once a child reaches the age of two or three, parents should work with the pediatric dentist to begin teaching the child proper dental health care techniques. The child can be taught how to brush his teeth properly as well as how to floss. It is important to remember, however, that children are not capable of doing brushing and flossing as it needs to be done until they reach the age of eight. Parents will need to follow up and brush and floss with the child until that age for proper child dental health.
Children begin losing their baby teeth between the ages of five and seven. For most kids, this can be rather exciting. When a child naturally loses a baby tooth, no special care is required, although the gum area may be a little sensitive for a day or two.
For good child dental health, most pediatric dentists recommend fluoride supplements. Most children can get the fluoride they need from the water that they drink; however, some may need to have additional fluoride drops or supplements. The child’s pediatric dentist will be able to ascertain what the child needs—parents should not give additional fluoride without the dentist’s concurrence because too much fluoride can stain the teeth permanently.
Some pediatric dentists recommend sealants for good child dental health. A sealant is a plastic material that is applied directly to the teeth—especially the back molars. The material hardens and provides a barrier against plaque and cavities. The sealant works to close up all of the grooves in the teeth. These can be used in children who are at least age five.
Child dental health is not all that difficult to maintain as long as routine brushing and flossing are completed and regular dentist visits are kept. However, the key factor to getting kids motivated to maintain their own dental health is to model good dental health yourself. Parents who do not model good dental practices are not encouraging their children to follow good dental care practices. It is essential that parents routinely brush their own teeth and floss—and visit the dentist themselves. Their child’s dental health depends upon it, because kids model their parents’ behavior.