Good oral hygiene and regular
visits to the family dentist can prevent cavities in children entirely.
However, proper dental care has to begin before the first tooth appears which
is almost immediately after child birth. According to the experts, an infant’s
teeth normally begin to form during the second trimester of your pregnancy.
During delivery, the baby already has twenty primary teeth, inside the jaw.
Keeping your child’s teeth cavity free!
In-home Oral hygiene:
Dampening a washcloth and
running it over the baby's gums will help clean harmful bacteria. You can also
brush your child’s teeth with an infant toothbrush, utilizing water with just a
little toothpaste till about age two. By the time kids turn 2 most of them can
spit while brushing. Make them use pea-sized amount of paste till the age of 5,
under supervision.
Remember, even babies are
prone to tooth decay if you don’t practice good feeding habits. Putting your
child to sleep with a milk bottle can harm the child’s teeth. If sugar from
milk remains on the teeth for several hours, it can erode the enamel. Severe
cases can even result in cavities and extraction.
Avoid Cavity Causers
- Drinking or eating before bedtime
- Frequent sipping and snacking
- Having too much candy every day
- Not brushing or cleaning before bed
Sealants
Experts believe that sealants
are one of the best tools in fighting tooth decay among children. The material
is a shaded or clear plastic resin that is applied to the back of the child’s
tooth and parts susceptible to cavities. When put on to the chewing surface of
the tooth, the coating acts as a barrier between the harmful bacteria and the
projection. It is extremely effective when applied to a surface that is
susceptible to decay. With a sealant, there is no discomfort or drilling. It
can last for several years but may require regular checking during dental
appointments.
Fluoride
Prescription strength
fluoride under the supervision of a dental expert is recommended bi-annually
for almost all kids. For those kids who are susceptible to developing oral
cavities, fluoride treatments are advised every three months. It is best to
leave the decision to your dentist, who will evaluate the child's risk for
cavities and recommend treatment accordingly.
Professional Help
We all have a family dentist who
takes care of the oral health of our entire family. It is best to take your
child to the dentist regularly. Although most family dentists have the
expertise to handle kids, they might recommend your child to a pediatric
dentist, if need be.
Pediatric dentists specialize
in treating children. They are trained to handle a range of problems associated
with a child’s dental health. The primary goal of any pediatric dentist is
prevention and maintenance by using routine checkups and care to keep gums and
teeth healthy.