HEALTHY BABY TEETH
Did You Know…?
Care of your children’s teeth is a responsibility which actually begins when they are still in the womb.That’s just one of the many reasons to take extra care of your health during pregnancy. Pregnant women should make sure they eat a well balanced diet full of nutritious foods that contain all the vitamins and minerals that their bodies may need during their pregnancy. If you are pregnant and you have any cavities or gum disease, then it’s important to get them treated as early as possible. In the UK pregnant woman are eligible to receive free dental care on the NHS. If you are lucky enough to have a good dental insurance plan then it is likely that you have already been advised that a visit to the dental surgery during your pregnancy would be a good idea.
The Childs Developing Teeth
Your child’s first teeth usually begin to break through the gums from the age of about 6 months old.The exact age will vary greatly between children, so don’t fret if your own child begins to break teeth earlier, or starts later. Every child has 20 primary teeth making their appearance between the age of 6 months and 3 years old. The baby, or milk, teeth usually are only present up until the age of eleven – a child will normally start losing them at around age six.At around six years old your child’s molars should come through. It can be anywhere between the age of twelve and twenty-one years before the appearance of the last of the permanent teeth.
By the time your child reaches the age of eight months or so, it should be possible for your dentist to spot any potential early problems. While only a short term view it’s good to be made aware of any initial concerns should there be any in your child’s near future.While they may not be medical doctors, dentists often have a wide range of knowledge and experience within the dental surgery field which help them advise on a range of related issues. The best reason for taking your child with you when you go to the dentist is familiarisation. You have a better chance of avoiding fear of dentists in your child if you take them with you to your own appointments.
When Should Your Child’s Dental Care Begin?
Parents should schedule their child’s dental visits for every six months. Starting proactive dental care from around the time your child turns one is a great idea. A new mother can do a lot, beginning from the appearance of the very first tooth. There is no need for the use of a toothbrush or toothpaste on baby’s very first teeth. A toothbrush will have bristles which are much too hard for a baby’s teeth and adult tooth pastes have fluoride in them. There are many pros and cons relating to fluoride and although the argument on whether or not fluoride should be present in toothpaste will rage on for many years to come, it’s a good idea to avoid any toothpaste containing fluoride while your child is so young. The toothpaste is actually only a lubricant in any case and the best way to clean your baby’s teeth is to gently wipe the teeth and gums with a soft damp cloth. This will be more than sufficient in removing any sugars from bottled or breast milk and the juices that younger toddlers may drink. Tooth decay can start at a young age due to the sugars found in foods. Simply wipe their teeth and gums after each feed and this will go a long way. At around two years old it is easier to introduce a low fluoride toothpaste into the cleaning regime. You can ask your dentist for advice on choosing your child’s first toothbrush and toothpaste.
Any early dental problems cause by illness, disease or developmental issues should be referred to a specialist pediatric dentist. Your pediatrician may recommend additional treatments for dental problems caused by underlying issues such as poor circulation, for example.
Helpful Tips
1. Avoid Sharing Cutlery.- It is normal for parents and carers to share utensils with their children. The saliva you may leave on the utensil contains bacteria that can cause tooth decay. By practising good oral health habits within your family you can help reduce the risk of early tooth decay in your children. If you do share a spoon with your baby or test the temperature of the bottled milk by taking a sip from the teat, wipe the teat or wipe your baby’s teeth and gums after they have have been fed. If you keep your own teeth and gums healthy, you have less chance of transmitting any tooth decay bacteria to your kids.
2. Don’t Give Baby a Bottle in Bed.- Do not put your infant or small child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or other drink that has sugar in it, because the sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay. Sometime this may be less easy to achieve!
3. A Healthy Diet Will Help Your Teeth. – All the nutrients needed for the development of healthy gums and strong teeth should be provided for in your child’s diet. These include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to avoid too many foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as pastries, white pasta, and white bread. Even the fruits that are so good for your growing child contain sugars which cause rapid tooth decay, so so you will simply need to find the best balance you can.
4. Process of Teeth Cleaning. – You can gently clean around the gums and first teeth with a soft cloth as soon as you see them beginning to break through.Use a very soft toothbrush and water to clean the teeth as more of them come through.
5. Fluoride Can Help Development of Healthy Teeth. – A small amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used by around one year of age.
6. Flossing Time – You should begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as you notice their teeth beginning to touch each other.
7. On Their Own – Your child can learn how to brush his or her own teeth at about 3 years of age. By the time they are four years of age, children should be brushing their own teeth twice a day – in the morning and before bedtime. Even though they are brushing their teeth on their own, you should still watch them and make sure they are brushing their teeth the right way.
As they get older it is important to teach them how best to take care of their teeth – good dental hygiene practices now will help them keep beautiful teeth in the future. Dencover dental insurance have dedicated an entire web site to helping you maintain beautiful healthy teeth and offering tips and advice on the best ways that you can insure your smile.
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