How to Care for Your Child's Teeth
Good oral health starts during infancy before any of a child’s teeth have even erupted. Read on to learn about some of the basics of caring for your child’s teeth as they grow and develop.
How to Care for Your Child's Teeth, Starting at Birth
Although they have not yet erupted, infants already have a full set of deciduous (also called primary or baby teeth) when they are born, and your child’s oral care will begin right away with an examination in the doctor’s office to ensure they are able to nurse or eat from a bottle comfortably and efficiently.
- Before your baby begins teething, gently wipe their gums with a warm, damp washcloth to remove any harmful bacteria and prevent inflammation and mouth sores.
- Start brushing when your baby's first tooth comes in and floss as soon as your baby has two teeth next to each other. Use an infant toothbrush and a small, rice-sized amount of infant toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle as this can lead to tooth decay.
- Once an infant reaches six months, they can usually be weaned from the bottle and switched to a sippy cup which will reduce the amount of sugary liquids that pool around their teeth, helping to prevent tooth decay.
- Your child should be able to learn to spit out their toothpaste after brushing around age two.
- At age three and up, children can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, but they still need to be carefully monitored when brushing so that they do not swallow too much.
- Supervise your children while they brush to help them learn proper brushing and flossing techniques and to make sure they do not swallow their toothpaste.
Visiting the Dentist and Preventing Cavities
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit a dentist starting around their first birthday or when they get their first tooth, whichever happens first. Children should then continue to visit a pediatric dentist about once every six months to monitor their development, help them establish healthy oral hygiene habits, and for professional cavity prevention with fluoride and dental sealants on molars.
To learn more about caring for your child’s teeth at any age or for help educating your child on proper oral hygiene habits, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stewart at Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry.
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