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By practicing good oral health care with your family, you will help to protect your child's smile and future. Taking your child to the dentist at a young age is the best way that you can prevent problems such as tooth decay. It can also help you learn how to clean your child's teeth and to identify his or her fluoride needs. Tooth decay can occur as soon as teeth begin to appear. Bringing your child to the dentist early will often lead to a lifetime of good oral health care habits and allows your child to become familiar with his or her dentist's office. It is never too soon to begin to properly care for your child's teeth, so begin now. Begin Dental Care Immediately Proper dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth appears. Just because you can't see the tooth, does not mean it is not there because teeth begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. Wiping your child's gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings will help to prevent the buildup of bacteria. When the first teeth begin to appear, you can start using a soft children's toothbrush twice a day. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child to the dentist before his or her first birthday. At their initial visit, the dentist will:
• Check for decay and signs of early development problems
• Explain how to properly care for your child's teeth
• Answer any questions you might have in regards to proper dental health care for your child Early Childhood Tooth Decay On average, a healthy adult visits the dentist twice a year, while the average healthy 2-year-old has never been to the dentist. By kindergarten, about 25% of children still have never seen a dentist, leaving dental decay to be the single most common chronic childhood disease in America. Frequent and long-term exposure of your child's teeth to sugary liquids is commonly called baby bottle tooth decay. Fruit juice commonly causes tooth decay if children are allowed to hold a bottle, cup or box of juice in their mouth all day long. If left untreated, baby bottle tooth decay can result in pain and infection. Prevention tips for parents to decrease the risk of early childhood tooth decay include:
• Wean a child from the bottle or breast by your child's first birthday
• Use spill-proof cups as a transitional step in the development of children
• Don't allow children to use spill-proof cups throughout the day
• Drink sugary beverages through a straw
• Introduce oral health care habits early Caring for your child's teeth begins early and often. By doing so, you are setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy permanent teeth and overall dental health. Begin proper dental care for your child immediately and with the initial onset of your child's first tooth, visit your Canton dentist for assessment. You can pave the way for a lifetime of proper dental health for your child.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Canton Restorative dentist, Dr. Ralph Bozell. Offering a wide array of services including implants, tooth cleaning, whitening, crowns and veneers in Canton, Dr. Ralph Bozell is qualified to handle all of your dental needs.
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