Dental care starts as soon as the first teeth come out. Hundreds of parents ignore this fact and only introduce their children to oral hygiene and dental care habits when they see yellowish teeth and smell bad breath.
And it’s not like your baby’s teeth will suffer lifetime consequences for this, but it’s better to avoid any risks and teach your kids to take care of their mouths as early as possible.
Some experts in pediatric dentistry recommend training your kid by massaging their gums with a warm and wet cloth. This will stimulate the dentition process and help them adapt to when you brush their teeth.
When Should I Brush My Kid’s Teeth?
Dentists recommend washing your kid’s mouth with the first tooth’s eruption. Some cities count on water supply with fluoride in it. As you know, fluoride is a key component of toothpaste formulas -it helps fight bacteria and strengthen the tooth’s enamel.
But what about the water? It would be best if you brushed your child’s teeth with fluoride. Since small children do not know how to spit correctly, parents must be careful with the amount of toothpaste they put on. Dentists often suggest sticking to only water for the first year.
In case you are unsure whether your city has fluoride in its water, it’s wiser to use a little toothpaste. Just remember, with children under 3, you should use a portion as tiny as a rice grain. This task becomes easier if you press the toothbrush a little against the toothpaste tube tip. Do this twice a day, every day, and your family should be safe from cavities.
Are Pacifiers Safe for Babies?
Now, oral hygiene is just a part of what you out to supervise as a parent. Even though your child will lose all of his primary teeth, they impact his adult teeth.
Prevent accidents that might cause tooth fractures or traumas because they can affect permanent teeth. You should also avoid sweet drinks and excess candy in general.
It’s the small habits that will achieve the best results for your kid’s oral health. That involves pacifiers and thumb-sucking, two of the favorite things for toddlers and babies!
Pacifiers have a soothing effect on babies; that’s why they love them. You will hear countless opinions about whether it is okay to give your kid a pacifier or not. But there are pros and cons to everything in life.
We get that if your child has a rough time falling asleep or riding in the car, you will want to help them calm down. That’s what pacifiers are for, and it’s completely normal. As long as your children are small, there is no dental-related problem to worry about.
However, it would be recommendable to begin the removal process for the pacifier around 2, 2-and-a-half years old to prevent permanent consequences on their dentures.
Can a Teething Baby Have a Popsicle?
Babies experience pain and discomfort during the teething process. The eruption of teeth can even cause fever. The are many options and products to ease this particular struggle, from gum scrapers for babies to popsicles.
Popsicles can be a nice treat if the ingredients are fresh, natural, and preferably homemade. Fruit popsicles are nutritive, and children tend to love them. If your child is over six months of age, a popsicle can help them with the pain in their gums.
Better yet, there are thousands of alternatives for gum scrappers, and if you store them in the fridge, you will get the best of both worlds. The gums stimulator will be cold, and its texture is perfect for accelerating the dentition process.
What Is Better for Infants, Pacifiers, or Thumb-Sucking?
The use of pacifiers is often put in the same rank as thumb-sucking, and whether both have many things in common, their effects are not equal in terms of benefits and risks. There is no need to demonize thumb-sucking habits.
For an infant or a baby, thumb-sucking is okay. At this early stage in their lives, children benefit from these habits. Thumb-sucking and pacifiers help strengthen the orofacial muscles and are calming for your kid.
After four years of age, these habits can become a future problem for your kid. The consequences are pretty similar in both cases.
- Risk of mild to severe overbite, crossbite, and open bite.
- Hindered speech.
- Tongue thrusting.
- Structure issues in the upper and lower jaw.
Seek alternatives to manage the situation before your kid develop any of these problems. Remember, you can dialog with them and design incentives, so they want to change their habits.
Preventative Treatments in Pediatric Dentistry
A pediatric dentist is very different than a dentist for adults. If sometimes adults are scared of paying a visit to the dentist, imagine what it could be like for a kid. Terrifying.
Aurora Pediatric dentistry has a different approach, much more friendly. Dental practices for kids should be colorful and look fun. And the doctor has to be friendly and gentle, so your kid grows without fear.
Epic Dentistry for Kids is what you are looking for.
