Dental Care For Small Children
As soon as a tooth erupts, it requires care and treatment to prevent cavities. Which means kids need dental care starting as early as age one! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how to provide proper care for small children, and how to avoid the onset of baby bottle tooth decay.
Teething and Brushing/Flossing
When children’s teeth first begin to erupt, this could cause discomfort and lead to them chewing on all kinds of things looking for relief. You can help by gently rubbing a finger over their gums (wash your hands thoroughly first) or providing them with a teeth toy. Once the teeth arrive, they need to be cleaned daily to prevent tooth decay. For babies, you can clean the teeth with gauze, cloth, or a toothbrush that fits over your finger. As they grow older, you can upgrade to an age-appropriate toothbrush, and begin making sure they brush every morning and evening. A rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is helpful too. As soon as there are teeth sitting next to one another, we recommend flossing thoroughly to remove the bits of trapped food a toothbrush may not reach. This should happen every evening. You can assist with a floss pick for very young children.
Checkups and Cleanings
We also need to see your children for checkups and cleanings! The first visit happens at age one after the first primary tooth arrives. Routine exams and cleanings happen at age two and beyond, and help us monitor the growth of the smile and identify areas of concern before they threaten the stability of little smiles. The cleaning removes harmful plaque buildup before this can cause cavities. These may seem like minor visits, but they’re key to keeping teeth healthy and bright for years to come!
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
Our team can also administer preventive treatments designed to prevent the onset of tooth decay. During each checkup, we can apply a fluoride gel that strengthens the outer enamel. This only takes minutes, and helps shore up a tooth’s natural defenses. For the rear teeth, which are often hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss, our team could apply dental sealants. This plastic coating prevents food particles from being trapped on or between them, and can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases. If you have any questions, give us a call today!
Does Your Baby Need Dental Care?
Our team would like to make sure kids of all ages receive the care needed to enjoy healthy smiles. If you have any questions about starting dental care for your child, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Children's Dental Services