Baby teeth are very important for your child’s oral health. They have a huge role in the development of the child’s mouth as they preserve the space for future adult teeth.
Taking care of your child’s teeth and ensuring good oral hygiene habits for your child will make their jaws grow strong and allow them to have a healthy smile for the rest of their lives.
Here’s some advice to care for your child’s teeth:
- Getting at least 1,000 mg of calcium per day while you’re pregnant. Calcium deficiency affects the development of the child’s teeth and makes them more susceptible to cavities.
- You should begin to take care of your child’s teeth around the age of one, when the first baby teeth appear. Use a child-size brush and water to brush your child’s teeth. Once your child is old enough to spit out toothpaste, you can begin using it.
- Applying fluoride at an early age will strengthen, prevent cavities, and provide further protection for the child’s teeth. Some of its sources are fluoridated tap water, foods and drinks containing fluoride, and low-fluoride toothpaste. Your child will have regular fluoride varnish once he or she starts visiting our office.
- A healthy, balanced diet is very important for the child’s dental health. A healthy diet includes fruit, vegetables, and low-sugar food & drinks. In case he or she insists on having a sugary snack, you should serve it along with their meals. Make sure their teeth are brushed afterward.
- Start teaching your child, when old enough, to brush his or her teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes, make sure that all tooth surfaces are clean. Check for signs of early cavities once a month.
- When your child’s teeth begin to appear, around the age of one. Bring him or her to a family dentist for their first dental visit. Regular visits are required for routine cleanings and checkups. Consult your dentist to determine how often your child requires a check-up, but it’s usually every 6-12 months.
If you are pregnant or have a new baby please contact our office (312) 943-6444 with any questions you have.
