Smart Parenting Tips for Your Child’s Oral Health
Good oral care for children is important from an early age. Children with healthy (milk) teeth have a greater chance of good teeth as an adult. Children are also at greater risk of cavities because their enamel has not yet hardened. The Phoenix dentist is happy to give you several tips for oral care for children.
Brushing teeth
Once your child has a first tooth, it’s important to start brushing his or her teeth. To do this, use a small toothbrush with soft bristles. Also, use fluoride toothpaste, but make sure that the toothpaste contains the right amount of fluoride that fits the age of your child. An excessive amount of fluoride can be harmful.
How and how often you should brush your child’s teeth depends on his or her age. We recommend the following:
- 0 to 24 months: brush the teeth 1 time a day, preferably after the last feeding. Also gently massage the gums.
- 2 to 4 years: brush the teeth 2 times a day, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime. Also, start teaching your child how to brush their teeth themselves.
- 4 to 6 years: have your child brush their teeth twice a day under supervision, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime. Make sure that the back molars are also well polished, at this age the first permanent molars come through and these are extra sensitive to cavities.
- From 6 years: have your child brush your teeth twice a day, preferably after breakfast and before bedtime. We recommend brushing the teeth once a day for up to ten years. At this age, you can also teach your child to floss and an electric toothbrush may be used.
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Pay attention to nutrition
Not only brushing teeth but also nutrition has a major impact on the health of your child’s teeth. Cavities are often caused by wrong eating and drinking habits. Baby bottles and spout cups give the biggest problems because children suck on them for a long time. That is why it is preferable to switch to a cup as quickly as possible.
Be further careful with sugary or acidic products. Because the enamel of children has not yet hardened, these products can cause damage to the teeth.
Visit the dental hygienist
It is often thought that a visit to the dental hygienist is only intended for adults, but children are also welcome at the dental hygienist from the moment the first teeth are through. By introducing your child to a dental hygienist from an early age, you can prevent many problems in the future. The dental hygienist can also give you tips on, among other things, brushing teeth, additional oral care, and the importance of nutrition.
A check-up at the dentist
It is recommended to visit the dentist twice a year with children from the age of one year. The dentist checks your child’s teeth for cavities and can perform a fluorine treatment.