Adult teeth will eventually replace baby teeth, so why is it so crucial for your children to take good care of them? A child’s teeth are instrumental in developing their speech skills and are necessary for efficient chewing and digestion of food. They may be little, but they are quite important! Letting your child’s oral health fall by the wayside could mean oral health deficiencies such as pain, which could make it difficult for them to concentrate on school work and social activities.
Tooth decay in children’s baby teeth is a top concern for pediatricians and pediatric dentists because they are so instrumental in shaping a child’s future mouth structure. According to Dentistry IQ, if a child loses their baby teeth too soon (like due to decay), it could negatively impact their permanent teeth alignment.
To be sure that your child has the best head start on their life-long dental health, it’s important to teach proper brushing from a young age. Babies under 18 months should not be using toothpaste to care for their teeth. Using a damp washcloth to rub away harmful bacteria on a baby’s gums should be sufficient. Avoid letting your child fall asleep with a bottle because the constant wash of formula or milk could lead to decaying of their teeth.
Once they reach about two years old, they can start using a small bit of toothpaste. When they reach three years old, they can begin using fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea.
One way to encourage children to brush their teeth at any age is to make a game of it or encourage them to imitate their parents. Brushing as a family can become a fun or soothing routine twice each day. Just be sure that everyone is brushing their teeth for at least two minutes, and flossing once per day (if they have teeth that touch).
Babylon Dental Care is here for you and your family
Despite the lifestyle changes necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic, it is still just as critical to maintain a routine at home while visits to the dentist are momentarily postponed. However, the staff at Babylon Dental Care is ready to serve our clients in emergencies, and we have instilled rigorous health precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of each of our patients. Call us at (631) 983-6665 or reach out online if you have questions about your dental health.
