Dental Health in Children: A Guide for Parents

One of your main responsibilities as a parent is to guide your child in practicing healthy habits, one of which is oral hygiene. Dental health in children is of significance not only for having a nice smile but also for the overall well-being of a person. Through proper oral care and healthy habits, the child’s teeth can be kept healthy, strong and free of any diseases for the whole of their life. Early childhood oral hygiene care, allowing the child to develop the correct habits, makes it easier for the child to grow up with the correct habits for oral hygiene.

In this guide, we’ll discuss some compelling tips to guide your son or daughter through various dental stages and needs, from a single tooth to the time of teenage period. By informing your child about the importance of oral hygiene and the schedule of the dentist, you will be able to enable your child to form dental habits that will even outlast the toughest periods of life.

1. Start Oral Care Early

Good oral hygiene commences at the very moment your newborn’s first tooth appears. The fact that baby teeth are short-lived does not mean that taking care of them is not as important as lifespan dental health. These are the first measures to take to ensure the growth of healthy mouths and teeth in children:

• For Babies: Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft, damp cloth or, one of the baby toothbrushes before the teeth emerge. This can remove bacteria and maintain clean oral health for a baby.
• When Teeth Appear: Give your baby a soft-bristled toothbrush and make use of clean water for brushing as soon as the first teeth of your baby comes out (which is usually around six months). Avoid using toothpaste until your child is old enough to spit it out, which is about 2 years of age.

2. Establish a Brushing Routine

The moment your child has a full set of teeth, it is time to instill a brushing habit. A good standard is for each child to brush their teeth at least twice, once in the morning and once before bed; however, more times are also good. Here are some strategies to make brushing an enjoyable and effective experience.

• Use Fluoride Toothpaste: Children are able to use toothpaste with fluoride which not only makes their teeth cavities free but also makes it safe for them. For kids of less than 3 years of age, you can only use a tiny amount of toothpaste, probably the size of a grain of rice. From the age of 3 to 6, they can use a pea-sized amount.
• Make It Fun: Buy your child a creative toothbrush with some fun characters on it they like or bring in a bit of music to play as they brush to make the session joyful for your child. Additionally, you can let them select the flavor of the toothpaste they want to use.
• Teach Proper Technique: Help your child to know the right way of brushing by doing it for them until they become mature enough to do it on their own. Show them to do circular motions when brushing, touching all teeth, and do not miss the tongue.

3. Flossing is Key

Flossing is very important for the mouth and complete dental care, especially flossing is more needed when the baby teeth are fitting tightly and touching each other. The early flossing habit is the first step towards preventing plaque continuity, as brushing itself is not enough to reach. You can go as follows:

• Use Children’s Floss: A kid can handle floss easily, or he/she can resort to floss re-usable where they only require to pull as much as they want. The latter is designed with small hands in mind in order to make the young users less scared but more inspired to floss.
• Supervise Until Age 10: Although children start to do the brushing on their own, they may not be able to undertake the flossing task effectively. Monitor this activity for them for they have not mastered the skills of completing this task.

4. Watch for Cavities

In kids, tooth decay or dental cavities can form very quickly if it is a result of the child eating food with a high sugar content, or they are frequently taking sweetened drinks. Critical early indications of cavities to watch out for are:

• Visible Holes or Brown Spots: These are clear signs of tooth decay
• Pain or Sensitivity: If your child experiences toothache or the sensation of hot or cold foods, it might be a hole in the tooth

Tooth decay can be prevented by not providing your child with sweet snacks and beverages, and by ensuring that your child brushes and flosses their teeth on a regular basis. Besides, it is a good move to add healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, and cheese that can make the teeth be in a better position against tooth decay.

5. The Importance of Regular Dental Visits

Going to the dentist for a regular dental check-up is the only way that your child’s oral health can be kept in good condition. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children ideally have their first dental visit by the age of 1 or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. It is very necessary to take your child to the dentist’s office regularly in order to ensure that their teeth and gums are developing correctly.

• What Happens During a Dental Visit?: During these visits, the dentist will detect the early signs of cavities, make sure that your child’s teeth are coming in the right place, and offer advice on the brushing and flossing techniques.
• Fluoride Treatments: Your dentist may use fluoride varnish to coat your child’s enamel and stop cavities, if they are at high risk.

6. Teaching Healthy Habits

It is a known fact that children follow the examples of the people that are closest to them and it is for this reason that parents provide an indirect role model about keeping good oral hygiene. Also, you can fit braces to your child to ensure better oral health.

• Avoid Sugary Snacks: They should not consume foods and drinks sweetened with sugar as this might lead to tooth decay. Reduce the intake of sugary snacks and urge them to go for healthier options.
• Drink Water: Be sure your child is drinking water throughout the day at all times. Water helps wash away food particles and bacteria from the mouth, especially after meals.
• Chew Sugar-Free Gum: When your child is old enough (about 5 or older), sugar-free gum can be used to stimulate saliva production that protects the teeth.
• When to Get Sealants: Sealants are normally applied when your child’s first permanent molars appear, usually around age 6. Sealants can last for several years and thus help prevent cavities during the vulnerable years.

Conclusion

A child’s dental health is a significant part of his confidence and positive attitude towards life. A healthy smile is an unquestionable characteristic of a happy and successful life. Needless to say, promoting a child’s oral health and hygiene also means ensuring the longevity of healthy teeth and gums.

At Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, we provide children with a variety of services, beginning with early dental check-ups, including preventive treatments such as fluoride varnishes and dental sealants. If you want top-notch oral care to keep your child’s smile healthy, this is the place for you, so schedule your appointment now!