How To Take Care Of Your Child's Dental Health

31 May 2023
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Taking care of your child's dental health is something that you must always see as a priority. Once teeth start to appear you need to take steps to take care of them. If you've been wondering exactly how you can go about making sure that your child's teeth are properly taken care of, here are some tips that will help.

Wipe Gums Clean

Before teeth start to come in you should wipe your child's gums with a soft cloth. You can repeat this routine in the morning and the night as well. Many parents like to do this right after they have fed their child the first time for the day and after the last feeding of the day. 

This will take away any bacteria that has started to settle on your child's gums and remove sugars as well.

How to Handle Emerging Teeth

Once your child's teeth start emerging, you will need to start brushing them. Brush them at least two times per day. Make sure that you are using a very soft toothbrush to do this. 

You should start using toothpaste that contains fluoride once your child has their first tooth. A small amount of toothpaste is all you should use at this time. Think of a rice grain when you are putting toothpaste on the toothbrush, that's the amount of toothpaste you should be using. 

As your child gets older, you can use larger amounts. Talk to your pediatric dentist about the appropriate amounts for your child's age. It's best to use circular motions when you are cleaning your child's teeth, as back-and-forth motions could cause damage to the gums. Make sure you clean your child's tongue as well to finish things off.

Teach Your Child About Dental Health

You can do all you can to take care of your child's teeth. However, the most important part of your child's dental journey will begin when they learn how to take care of their teeth. 

Once they are old enough, you can and should allow them to brush their teeth. You can become a role model for your children and show them exactly how to brush their teeth.

Taking care of your child's teeth will often start as your responsibility when they are small. However, as they get older they will need to start taking responsibility for their oral hygiene. Teaching them how to take care of their teeth is one of the best things you can do for them, as a beautiful smile can make them feel more confident.

To learn more, reach out to a local pediatric dentist.