Professional dental care is not only for adults but also for kids, especially when they are still young. A child's oral health starts as young as infancy. Dental care is an essential habit for a child to cultivate as their own. If you need advice on what to do, check with your local pediatric dentist in Morton, IL.
Children are prone to cavities, and tooth decay, so educating them on the proper ways to care for their teeth is essential.
When to Start Brushing Your Child's Teeth
It's best to start brushing teeth very early, but what if they don’t have teeth yet? It's best to use a wet gauze or a clean, wet cloth to gently wipe the gums after each feeding. As soon as the baby's teeth pop out, you can start using soft-bristled toothbrushes.
Proper Dental Care at Home
Brush Teeth Twice Daily
Brushing the teeth twice daily is enough to remove the build-up of sugar that may cause cavities. A full smile should be brushed for two minutes.
How to Brush Your Child's Teeth
Brushing teeth, especially your child's teeth, does not have to be complicated. A simple process that is easy to do and understand is enough to clean the child's teeth.
- Step 1: Apply a pea-sized or rice-sized amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush. Rice-sized smears are recommended for infants, while pea-sized amounts are recommended for ages three and up.
- Step 2: When brushing their teeth, a 45-degree angle is recommended when brushing, facing toward the gums of the upper and lower jaws.
- Step 3: Gentle movements are the key to brushing the teeth of the child. The gentle motion of brushing back and forth will prevent any discomfort. Repeat the technique until clean.
- Step 4: To brush the front of the teeth, the toothbrush must be vertical, making sure to brush the front and back.
- Step 5: Gently brush the tongue to remove the bacteria on the surface of the tongue.
Dental Check-Ups
Dental check-ups are significant to the health of the teeth. Most children consume a lot of sugar in their childhood. These sugars may become cavities when not removed by brushing the teeth.
Tips on Dental Care for Infants and Toddlers
It's necessary to consider many things when taking care of children's oral hygiene, especially when they are still being taught how to brush their teeth. Below are tips you can do for infants and toddlers.
Infants
Oral hygiene of babies starts after they are born. It is advised to use a soft and clean wet cloth to wipe the gums gently. Brushing the gums twice a day, once after the morning feeding and just before going to bed.
When the first pair of teeth pop out, using a baby toothbrush is advised. The amount of toothpaste is also measured in terms of age. A rice-sized toothpaste is enough for infants.
Brushing the teeth twice a day is the recommended number of times to clean the teeth of infants and toddlers. A dental check-up is also an option to identify any problems earlier.
Toddlers
It is recommended to use toothpaste that has fluoride for toddlers, but only use a pea-sized amount. They can also drink water that contains fluoride and have dentists put a dental sealant on their teeth.
It is necessary to supervise them during the brushing of teeth to help improve their brushing skills. Toddlers generally need guidance when brushing their teeth, which will help lead to good oral hygiene.
Do You Need a Trusted Pediatric Dentist in Morton, IL?
Now that you know what to do to ensure that your children's teeth are healthy and free from cavities, it's time to take them for regular dental check-ups for added protection. Head on over to Smalltown Dental. We have specialists who can cater to your kid's needs.
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