Why All Smiles Require Preventive Dental Care

Posted February 23, 2017

You likely already know that it’s important to care for your own smile in order to prevent cavities and other dental issues, like gum disease. You may even be hyper vigilant about brushing and flossing your teeth, in addition to seeing the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. But as a new parent, you may not be aware of how much your kids need dental care, too. Even babies require preventive care, in order to protect their gums and any teeth that might be visible from dental health threats. So, if you want to help raise kids with healthy smiles, and the knowledge how they can preserve them as they grow, it’s important to understand the basics in any effective preventive dental care routine!

Even Babies Need Dental Care!

While children’s teeth may not be permanent, it doesn’t mean that their dental care is any less important or necessary than the care required to protect adults’ smiles. In fact, even before teeth are present, there are important reasons to begin oral care.

• For babies without any teeth present, a damp cloth is all that is needed to gently clean the gums after cleaning. This simple act can help prevent a problem known as baby bottle tooth decay.
• As teeth do begin to appear, though, it becomes important to gently brush them clean. This can help to prevent bacteria from forming tartar, that can eventually create acidic erosion of the teeth’s enamel, but which can also lead to irritation of the gums.
• Initially no toothpaste is needed to brush your baby’s teeth. However, around the third birthday, most pediatric dentists recommend beginning to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Older kids should have the dexterity to brush and floss their own smiles, with only minimal supervision to make sure they’re not swallowing the paste.
• If your children are struggling to develop proper brushing or flossing technique, ask their dentist for a demonstration at their next checkup!

Take Your Kids for Regular Cleanings!

Keep in mind that routine dental visits are imperative for all children, and adults, over the age of one. So make sure you schedule your kids’ dental checkups consistently, to keep their smiles healthy and looking their best!

Is It Time to Schedule Your Kids’ Next Dental Appointment

Kids need to see the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. To schedule a visit for your kids, contact Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda, at 214-321-4880.