How to Take Care of Your Child’s Pearly Whites

Your child’s first trip to the dentist is probably the most crucial visit in his or her entire lifetime. This first visit will set the tone of his or her receptiveness to dental care all the way into his or her adult life. You’ve heard of adults who avoid having to go to the dentist at all cost simply because they had a very traumatic experience at the dentist’s chair when they were young. And if you think that you can just skirt away with having to go on dental check-ups, you’re very much wrong. Dentists have noticed a trend among children who didn’t receive proper dental care growing up and having lots of dental problems.

How should you take care of your child’s dental health?

Dental Cleaning

It’s important that you clean your baby’s teeth as soon as they erupt. You can make use of a clean and soft gauze or washcloth to clean your baby’s teeth right after consuming a bottle of milk or eating a meal. When a multiple number of teeth have already erupted, you can make use of small-bristled toothbrush which is soaked in warm water. Consult your baby’s dentist first before you make use of toothpaste. Excessive exposure to fluoride could lead to a condition called fluorosis which can lead to dental stains.

Fluoride Treatments

Public water systems are now fluoridated after experts have found out that fluoride exposure will protect the outer surface of your teeth by thickening the enamel layer and paving way to the remineralization of lost enamel crystals to reverse the process of cavity formation. However, it’s not advisable that you expose your child to too much fluoride since this could lead to fluorosis.

Flossing

Once your baby has teeth which have erupted next to each other, you need to start flossing your baby’s teeth. Your child can do the flossing on their own by the age of six when they are old enough to do it.

Dental Sealants

Sealant procedures help to protect the exterior layer of the teeth from cavity-formation by providing an extra layer separating acidic substances and bacteria, and the vulnerable enamel layer. Sealants may not leave your teeth impenetrable to cavities but this will reduce your child’s risk to dental caries. You still need to control your child’s snacking though. If you intend to give out treats, make sure to give them right after meal.

Dentistry for Kids Studio City CA