Children can easily get tooth decay at a very early stage. It is always important to prevent cavities by teaching your child dental care early in life. Having a dentist, who is a professional Periodontist in Pittsburgh, to check your child yearly can help make sure they keep a beautiful smile all the time.
If you are worried that your child might get cavities early in life, then below are some easy tips on how to protect and maintain the healthiness of your child’s teeth and gums.
- Teach Your Child Good Habits
For infants, parents should gently brush the gums of a baby. Water or a soft washcloth can be used to clean the toothbrush. At the first appearance of teeth, use an infant toothbrush with fluoridated toothpaste to brush the teeth twice a day. Flossing should also be done when the teeth start to touch each other, and this routine should be done before bedtime. Avoid giving your kid food or drinks, except water, after brushing to avoid the buildup of cavities and bacteria. You can ask your dentist for techniques in flossing as well as to inquire about when your child should start using a mouthwash.
- Always Get A Checkup
Upon your kid’s first birthday, seeing a dentist is vital to check their gums. Yearly visits to a dentist can help cure any signs of the cavity and avoid risking any gum diseases. Also, preventive care can save you money as such symptoms of diseases are cured early. Maintaining oral health and regular checkup prevents Gum disease according to Pittsburgh Dental Implants and Periodontics and makes sure your kid has a healthy set of teeth and gums.
- Avoid Feeding Your Baby Sugary Liquids
Never let your child sleep or nap with a bottle of formula, milk, or juice in the mouth. Since sugary liquids cling to teeth, it can feed bacteria which causes decay of teeth. Make sure only to feed your child a bottle of water if you need to give a drink to take to bed.
- Avoid Feeding Your Child Juice
The juice is a sugary drink that can lead to tooth decay, so it is not a healthy choice to feed your child all day long. Opt for non-sugary drinks and food instead during mealtimes. Try to use juice as a treat only every once in a while and limit your kid to no more than four ounces a day only.
- Remove The Pacifier By Age 2 Or 3 Years Old
Pacifiers, when used in the long term, can affect how your child’s teeth develop and line up as well as change the shape of the mouth. If your kid is still using a pacifier at the age of three, or you are unable to remove it from your child’s needs, you can always consult the help of a doctor for expert advice.
- Be Strict On Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing
Always coax your child to brush their teeth, floss, and rinse all the time. Be patient with them as they might need your supervision until the age of 6. It might take them until the age of 10 to perfect their flossing skills so always give them a helping hand and make sure they understand that it is a daily necessity. Letting your child choose a toothpaste to motivate them. Give them stickers or other small incentives or make brushing a family activity to motivate them to join and imitate grownups.
Final Word
Always motivate your child to clean their teeth. Teach them the importance of brushing, flossing, and rinsing to instill within their minds that it is a daily necessity. Also, don’t forget to always take regular cleaning and checkups at your local family dentist.