Child Patients
When should I schedule my child's first trip to the dentist? Should my 3-year-old be flossing? How do I know if my child needs braces?
Many parents have a tough time judging how much dental care their kids need. They know they want to prevent cavities, but they don't always know the best way to do so. We at Delhi Dental Hub appreciate your concerns for loved ones.
Pediatric Dentists at Delhi Dental Hub
Consider taking your child to a dentist who specializes in treating kids. Pediatric dentists are trained to handle the wide range of issues associated with kids' dental health. They also know when to refer you to a different type of specialist, such as an orthodontist to correct an overbite or an oral surgeon for jaw realignment. A pediatric dentist's primary goals are prevention (heading off potential problems before they occur) and maintenance (using routine checkups and proper daily care to keep teeth and gums healthy).
When Should Dental Care Start?
Proper dental care begins before a baby's first tooth appears. Just because you can't see the teeth doesn't mean they aren't there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw. Running a damp washcloth over a baby's gums daily will help clear away harmful bacteria. Parents can brush kids' teeth as they come in with an infant toothbrush, using water with just a smear of toothpaste until about age 2. Around age 2, most kids can spit while brushing. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, with supervision, until around age 5.
Even babies can develop tooth decay if good feeding habits aren't practiced. Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle might be convenient, but can harm the baby's teeth. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's teeth for hours, they can eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth. Pocked, pitted, or discolored front teeth are signs of bottle mouth. Severe cases result in cavities and the need to pull all of the front teeth until the permanent ones grow in. Parents and childcare providers should help young kids set specific times for drinking each day because sucking on a bottle throughout the day can be equally damaging to young teeth.After weeks of watching your baby drool and fuss, you finally spot that first little tooth bud popping up through the gums. Over the next couple of years, your baby's gummy smile will gradually be replaced by two rows of baby teeth. Baby teeth may be small, but they're important. They act as placeholders for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly. That's why caring for baby teeth and keeping them decay-free is so important.
Caring for Baby's Gums
You can start caring for your baby's gums right away. But at first, the care won't involve a toothbrush and toothpaste. Instead, take these steps:
Get a soft, moistened washcloth or piece of gauze. Gently wipe down your baby's gums at least twice a day. Especially wipe your baby's gums after feedings and before bedtime. This will wash off bacteria and prevent them from clinging to your baby's gums. Bacteria can leave behind a sticky plaque that damages infant teeth as they erupt.
Brushing Baby's Teeth
When the first baby teeth start to pop up, you can graduate to a toothbrush. Choose one with:
- soft brush
- small head
- large handle
At first, just wet the toothbrush. At around age 1, you can start using a pea-sized amount of a non-fluoridated toothpaste. Wait to introduce fluoride toothpaste until your child is at least 2 years old. Brush gently all around your child's baby teeth ,front and back. You should brush your baby's teeth until he or she is old enough to hold the brush. Continue to supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without assistance. That usually happens at around age 6. Keep on the lookout for any signs of baby tooth decay ie brown or white spots or pits on the teeth. If you or your pediatrician notices any problems, take your child to a pediatric dentist for an exam. Even if there isn't a problem, your child should go for his or her first pediatric dentist visit by age 1. The dentist can give you advice about:
- baby tooth care
- teething
- fluoride
- thumb sucking
Healthy teeth and gums are essential to your child's overall good health. Injured, diseased, or poorly developed teeth can result in poor nutrition, painful and dangerous infections, and problems with speech development and self-image.
Caring For An Infant's Teeth
Even though newborns and infants do not have teeth, it is important to take care of their mouth and gums. Follow these tips:
Use a damp washcloth to wipe your infant's gums after each meal. Do NOT put your infant or young child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or sugar water. Use only water for bedtime bottles. Begin using a soft toothbrush instead of a washcloth to clean your child's teeth as soon as his first tooth shows (usually between 5 - 8 months of age). Ask your pediatrician if your infant needs fluoride added to his diet.
The First Trip To The Dentist
Your child's first visit to the dentist should be between the time the first tooth appears (5 - 8 months) and the time when all the primary teeth are visible (before 2 1/2 years).
Many dentists recommend a "trial" visit to expose the child to the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of the office before the actual examination. Children who are accustomed to having their gums wiped and teeth brushed every day will be more comfortable going to the dentist.
Caring For a Chield's Teeth
The child's teeth and gums should be brushed at least twice each day and especially before bed. Electric tooth brushes clean teeth better than manual ones.
Take your child to a dentist every 6 months. Let the dentist know if your child thumb sucks or breathes through the mouth.
Teach your child how to play safe and what to do if a tooth is broken or knocked out.
When your child gets permanent teeth, he or she should begin flossing each evening before bed.
When the child reaches the teens, braces or extractions may be needed to prevent long-term problems.
If your child loses an adult (permanent) tooth during a fall or other injury, see broken or knocked out tooth for first aid instructions. If you act quickly, you can often save the tooth.