1) Start Proper Oral Hygiene Habits ASAP
Gently clean your infant's gums
and newly erupting first teeth after each feeding with a water-soaked gauze pad
to clean around the teeth and gums.
2) Brush with Care
When your baby's teeth begin to
erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush using no more
than a thin smear of fluoridated toothpaste.
3) Teach Your Children
When your child turns 2, you
can begin to teach your child proper brushing techniques with no more than a
pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. You should follow up their efforts
by gently brushing the teeth again. Modeling correct technique is important.
When your child is about 6 years old, he/she should be developing the dexterity
to do it alone. You can then introduce flossing.
4) Check Your Water
Determine if the water supply
that serves your home is fluoridated. If it is not, discuss supplement options
with your dentist. Keep in mind that toothpastes and various foods may also
contain fluoride.
5) Fight Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Don't let your child go to
sleep with a pacifier or bottle filled with anything but water. When teeth are
frequently exposed to sugar-containing fluids (including breast milk and formula)
for long periods, the potential for decay increases dramatically.
6) Avoid Sugar
Understand that if your child
ingests sugars, it will take the saliva a minimum of 30 minutes to neutralize
the acidity that is created by decay-producing bacteria. A sugary snack every
hour can mean your child's mouth is always acid, increasing the chances for
tooth decay.
7) Make
a Dental Appointment
Your child should see a dentist
around the time of his/her first birthday and then regularly thereafter. It is
important to establish a dental home. Your pediatric or general dentist will
teach you how to prevent dental disease, check for cavities in the primary
teeth and watch for developmental problems, and set a positive precedent for
future visits.
8) Prevent Cavities
Ask your dentist about dental
sealants and fluoride applications to protect your child's teeth. Sealants can
prevent food from getting stuck in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces and
topical fluoride will strengthen the enamel against decay.
9) Keep Your Cool
If you feel anxious about a
visit to a dental professional, try not to convey these feelings to your child.
This is very important for emotional well-being. Encourage your child to
discuss any fears he/she might have about visiting a dentist, but don't put any
new fears into his/her head. It is a good rule of thumb not to mention the
words “hurt” or “pain” as it raises a possibility he/she might not have thought
of.
10) Childproof Your Home
Research has shown that
children under age 7 sustain over half of the dental injuries to their primary
(baby) teeth playing in close proximity to home furniture.
Did you know?
A baby's primary teeth begin forming before
birth — at about the sixth week of pregnancy, and begin mineralizing at around
the third to fourth month of pregnancy. To ensure proper dental development,
the mother's diet must be adequate in all nutrients, especially calcium,
phosphorous, and protein.
Source: deardoctor
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