Did you know that baby teeth play a very important part in the overall health of your children? In years past parents looked at baby teeth as a temporary fixture until the child was old enough for their adult teeth to grow in. However, baby teeth play an important role.
Primary and permeant teeth are essential to aid in properly chewing food and for proper digestion. Keeping primary (baby teeth) also helps with space maintenance, and allows for the adult teeth to come in properly.
Below are guidelines set by the ADA on how you should care for your children’s teeth.
It’s important to care for your baby’s teeth from the start. Here’s what to do:
- Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth during the first few days after birth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or washcloth. As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. A baby’s front four teeth usually push through the gums at about 6 months of age, although some children don’t have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months.
- For children younger than 3 years, start brushing their teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use of the appropriate amount of toothpaste.
- For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth thoroughly twice per day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing and remind them not to swallow the toothpaste.
- Until you’re comfortable that your child can brush on his or her own, continue to brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a child-size toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. When your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin flossing their teeth daily.
At Fuller Dental we see families of all ages. It is our goal to properly educate children from a young age how to properly care for their teeth.
5 Things to Avoid Tooth Decay
- Clean Teeth– The average person brushes for 20 seconds but it takes 2- 3 minutes to really clean your teeth. Floss Daily to prevent teeth and gum disease. Brush daily after meals and before bedtime. Always make sure that your child brushes after eating candy and stick foods.
- Drink Water and Sugar Free Drinks– Drink Water between meals.
- Use Fluoride Wisely- Use a small amount of toothpaste (pea size) brush for at least 2 minutes and spit out excess when done without rinsing with water.
- Sugar Free Gum- Gum with sugar can cause more decay, but gum without sugar has been shown in studies to reduce decay.
- Have teeth checked by and a professional fluoride application every 6 months.
We look forward to seeing your smile! Call 336-226-0855 today to schedule your child’s dental appointment.