Dental Tips For Your Little One

Pediatric dental care starts as early as infancy. For example, the milk that your infant drinks sits on their gums, which can slowly rot their teeth below the gum line. This may be something you didn't know about tooth care in your little one. As your child grows, there are some things you should be doing to help prevent tooth decay. See below for these helpful tips. 

Infant Dental Care

Wipe down your baby's gums using your finger wrapped in a clean, soft cloth to help remove any residue from milk. Begin in the back and work your way forward, gently massaging their gums as you move along, then repeat on the bottom gum line. Massage your child's gum line to help with pain while your child is teething, applying some light pressure as you do this. You can also use frozen teething rings to help when teething. Once your infant begins to get teeth, you can use a finger brush to clean the teeth, along with a small amount of water. 

Toddler Dental Care

After your child turns about a year old, you can begin using training toothpaste (talk to your child's pediatrician or pediatric dentist first) and a small toddler toothbrush. The training toothpaste comes in a variety of different flavors perfect for your little one. When you begin using fluoride toothpaste, use only a small amount (about the size of a grain of rice), until your child is able to spit out the toothpaste. You should be brushing your child's teeth, but allow your child to help you to get them used to brushing all by themselves. Brush all of their teeth, as well as their gums and tongue. Brush your child's teeth twice per day (once in the morning and once before bed). Be sure to also floss between those teeth, where food can become trapped.

Dental Hygiene Tips

Teach your child about good dental hygiene early so they will understand the importance and continue that pattern into adulthood. To help with this, practice good dental hygiene yourself. Teaching by example is the best way to help your child understand. Eat a proper diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. Skip out on sugary drinks, candy, and other high-sugar foods to help keep your child's teeth healthy.  Visit the dentist every six months. Begin at an early age taking your child to the dentist, and continue taking your child for regular checkups.

Begin taking care of your child's teeth and gums at an early age to help prevent tooth decay. For more information, talk to a pediatric dentist like Waller Ray DDS.


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