Being on top of dental health for kids keeps them healthy and smiling

When your baby is born, he or she has a set of twenty baby teeth under the gums, waiting to come in between six months to a year. Around age three, the whole set of baby teeth usually has emerged. Baby teeth are important because they hold a space for the child’s permanent teeth. Taking care of your child’s teeth helps with chewing, speaking clearly and having confidence. Get your child off to a good start and keep it going with this important information from our Plano pediatricians about dental health for kids.

Dental care for children three and under

Before your baby’s first tooth appears, you should clean the gums with a damp washcloth to remove harmful bacteria.

As soon as you see the first tooth, get a child-sized toothbrush and apply a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste and brush gently. You can use a pea-size drop of toothpaste for kids three and over. Just make sure that your little one spits out their toothpaste.

Here are other tips to help promote dental health in kids aged three and under.

• Once your baby has two teeth that touch each other, you can gently floss the teeth with child-friendly tools.
• The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you take your child for the first dental visit at age one. Your dentist can apply fluoride varnish to your child’s baby teeth to prevent tooth decay.
• You should avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle. Exposing tooth enamel to the sugar in formula, juice or milk for a prolonged time encourages tooth decay.

Dental health for kids after age three

Taking care of your child’s teeth as they age includes ensuring that they see the dentist every six months. This is essential for preventing tooth decay and maintaining good oral health. Your dentist will apply dental sealants to your older child’s teeth, providing substantial protection against tooth decay. The dental staff also educates parents and children about dental health for kids.

Kids should brush twice a day, supervised by you until they are brushing and flossing properly, usually around age eight. Additionally, if your child plays sports, they should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth.

Nutrition can affect your child’s teeth

Our Plano pediatricians know that kids eat sugar, but there are ways to let them have occasional treats while still taking care of your child’s teeth at the same time.

• Encourage your child to drink tap water with fluoride instead of juice or soft drinks.
• Try to avoid sugar-laden treats before bedtime.
• Brush after eating sugary snacks or rinse the mouth with water.
• Avoid sugary treats between meals.
• Try to provide healthy snacks most of the time like raw veggies, yogurt or cheese.

Contact us to learn more about dental health for kids and all your pediatric healthcare needs.