DENTAL CARE
Proper dental care begins before a
baby's first tooth appears. Just because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean
they aren't 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.
Running
a damp washcloth over a baby's gums daily will help clear away harmful
bacteria. Parents can brush kids' teeth as they come in with an infant
toothbrush, using water with just a smear of toothpaste until about age 2.
Around
age 2, most kids can spit while brushing. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste,
with supervision, until around age 5.
Healthy teeth are
important to your child's overall health. From the time your child is born,
there are things you can do to promote healthy teeth and prevent cavities. For
babies, you should clean teeth with a soft, clean cloth or baby's toothbrush.
Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle and check teeth regularly for spots
or stains.
For all children, you
should
- Start using a pea-sized amount
of fluoride toothpaste when they are two years old. You might start
sooner, if a dentist or doctor suggests it.
- Provide healthy foods and limit
sweet snacks and drinks
- Schedule regular dental
check-ups
Forming good habits at
a young age can help your child have healthy teeth for life.
Even babies can develop tooth decay if good feeding habits aren't
practiced. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle might be convenient, but can
harm the baby's teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's
teeth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth.
Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe
cases result in cavities and the need to pull all of the front teeth until the
permanent ones grow in.
Parents
and childcare providers should help young kids set specific times for drinking
each day because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging
to young teeth.
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