For every parent, as much as it is important to take care of the child’s health, it is equally important to take care of the teeth. Because healthy teeth are important for the overall health of the child.
Additionally, oral hygiene helps establish good dental care habits as your child grows. If oral hygiene is not taught to the child, it can lead to infection, disease or other dental problems.
Actually, the most common dental problem in children is cavity. The truth is that if a cavity is not treated on time, it can cause pain and infection, due to which children have to face problems in eating, speaking, playing and learning.
In fact, children who have poor oral health have a direct impact on their studies, because due to toothache, children often do not go to school and then lag behind in studies.
The good thing about children’s dental care is that cavities can be treated or prevented. Fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third (33%) of cavities in primary (baby) teeth. Apart from this, children who Brush with fluoride toothpaste daily to reduce cavities. There is a problem of.
When should children start brushing their teeth to take care of their teeth?
The truth is that children should start taking care of their teeth even before their first tooth appears. Just because a baby’s tooth is not visible, does not mean the tooth is not there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw.
Let us know that When and how to take care of the little devil’s teeth–
- Until the baby’s teeth emerge, his gums should be gently wiped with a wet cloth.
2. When the baby starts teething, brush with a baby toothbrush.
3. Apply a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to the brush and brush gently.
4. When the baby’s two teeth start coming out close to each other, you can start flossing between them.
5. Around 2 years of age, the child should be taught to spit while brushing. If they don’t learn to spit, they may be more likely to swallow toothpaste.
6. Children aged 3 years and older should only use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
7. It is best if parents take care of the teeth of children younger than 8 years under their own supervision because they can swallow toothpaste.
Often babies go to sleep with a milk bottle in their mouth; milk harms their teeth if it remains in the mouth for hours. This also increases the chances of having cavities in the teeth. This is called ‘baby bottle tooth decay’.
When baby bottle tooth decay occurs, the baby’s front teeth may become discolored, and filled with holes, and pits. Cavities may form and in severe cases, decayed teeth may need to be removed.
To avoid this, when babies turn 6 months old, they can switch from bottles to sippy cups (with a straw or hard spout). This helps prevent liquid from accumulating around the baby’s teeth.
How to take proper care of children’s teeth to prevent cavities
Generally, the problem of cavity in children occurs when the bacteria left on the teeth and the food stuck between the teeth are not removed by brushing properly. Acid builds up on the tooth, causing the enamel to soften until a hole – or cavity – forms.
Ways to keep cavities away by taking care of children’s teeth or maintaining oral hygiene-
- Children should be taught to maintain oral hygiene regularly.
2. To maintain oral hygiene and take care of teeth, teach brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice every day and flossing regularly.
3. Regular use of fluoride hardens the enamel, making it difficult for acids to penetrate. Therefore, toothpaste containing fluoride should be chosen.
4. Sugary foods, candy, and juices destroy enamel and cause cavities.
5. Even children’s sweet syrup medicine can cause cavity due to remaining in the mouth for a long time.
Tips to maintain children’s oral hygiene
- Use fluoride in toothpaste to take care of teeth.
- Don’t forget to brush twice daily and floss every two days.
- Teach to clean the tongue along with cleaning the teeth.
- Protect children from eating excessive sweets.
- If children have dental problems, do not delay in taking them to the dentist.
Expert Tips: Along with taking care of children’s teeth and maintaining oral hygiene, it is also very important to clean hands. Before putting your hands in your mouth, wash your hands with soap or natural foaming handwash.