Even before the very first tooth pokes through, parents need to start gently brushing a baby's gums. After each feeding, simply take a soft, wet cloth and massage the gums to eliminate bacteria that can eventually lead to decay. And when the very fist tooth rears its head, a small bit of baby toothpaste, without fluoride, can be used to clean and remove food from little pearly white. Establishing a routine early on is the best way to ensuring a child has a healthy, cavity-free mouth. Continue reading for more commonly accepted advice dispensed by pediatric dentists.
Fact About Oral Hygiene in Children
There are a lot of variables that play into the oral health of little kids. Some are more genetically prone to developing cavities than others. But there are also lots of lifestyle choices that can affect teeth. Most parents know that avoiding or minimizing intake of sugary snacks and frequent brushing can both contribute to strong, healthy pearly whites. The promise of a visit from the tooth fairy may help children who need some extra encouragement. Here are some other eye-opening facts to consider when thinking about setting a child up for longterm oral hygiene habits.
(1) Dentists recommend that people brush their teeth for 2 to 3 minutes for best results.
Yet most only brush an average of 45 to 70 seconds per day. Just taking a couple of extra minutes can help tremendously in removing food and plaque build up. Speaking of time devoted to brushing, people with good oral hygiene routines will spend about 38 days over the course of a lifetime brushing their teeth. Preparing children for their first dental checkup will go a long way in helping them listen and learn from the visit.
(2) Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in a human's body.
This substance that covers teeth is stronger than any bone and has a higher percentage of minerals than any other tissue. And yet while other tissues are reparative, tooth enamel is not. For this reason, it is extremely important to do everything to take care of this protective coating. Toy dental kits are educational for little ones who want to take care of the enamel using all the tools a real dentist has in the office.
(3) Parents should brush the first baby tooth that pokes through.
Apply a tiny smear of fluoride to a soft brush and gently brush the little tooth twice a day. Devoting just a couple of minutes a day will go a long way in preventing tooth decay in those little baby teeth. Here are some little teeth brushing tricks to make the process go more smoothly.
(4) About one third of teeth are buried in the gums.
Flossing helps keep the gums healthy and strong, and in turn is beneficial for the teeth that lie beneath. Also, remember that flossing covers about 40% of the tooth surface, so don't skip out on this important step. Reading children's books about brushing teeth will help reinforce all the steps, including the importance of flossing.
