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Has your child's first tooth emerged? Congratulations! It's the perfect time to start learning how to maintain dental health and help your children create a positive experience from their visits to the dentist. If you're parents of older children, don't worry; we have essential information for you as well.
Healthy teeth are an integral part of overall well-being. Just as we teach our children to avoid dangers, visit pediatricians when sick, and take necessary medications and vitamins, it is crucial to familiarize them with dental care and maintenance, including proper brushing and regular visits to the dentist.
Preserving dental health is vital for both children and adults. Proper dental care and the establishment of habits from early childhood assist in maintaining long-term dental health and preventing future issues. Therefore, it is important to incorporate dental health as part of your family's daily routine. This includes proper brushing, choosing healthy foods, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and scheduling regular visits to the pediatric dentist for monitoring and necessary treatment.
To help you organize dental care for your children, we have divided the following article into age groups, addressing specific needs at each stage.
Begin practicing proper toothbrushing, twice a day, as soon as the first tooth emerges, at around 6-10 months of age.
Around the age of one, when the first teeth come in, schedule your child's first visit to the pediatric dentist. During this visit, the dentist will examine the eruption of teeth to ensure proper development and conduct an assessment for cavities.
Part of pediatric dental care includes educating parents on preventive measures and providing tips for proper tooth-brushing techniques for children. Regular follow-up visits to the pediatric dentist are recommended based on the dentist's guidance.
To prevent cavities, avoid giving your children sugary drinks, particularly from bottles. Bottlefeeding creates an environment conducive to harmful bacteria growth. Furthermore, avoid nighttime feedings after the age of one when the child does not receive tooth cleaning afterward.
It is also advisable to start weaning your child from pacifiers around the age of two to avoid improper dental development, which may require orthodontic treatment in the future.
Start gentle tooth brushing with a soft brush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day as soon as the first tooth erupts, ideally in the morning and before bedtime.
Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards the teeth and use gentle circular motions to brush the teeth. Continue to assist your children or supervise their brushing until they are competent, typically around the age of 7-8. Make brushing enjoyable, like a game, rather than a punishment. You can take turns brushing each other's teeth or let your child brush a favorite toy's teeth while you brush theirs.
Cavities can develop in toddlers and infants, primarily due to excessive consumption of sugary beverages without proper toothbrushing. Risk factors may also include maternal cavities or gum diseases during pregnancy, premature birth, and more.
A pediatric dentist specializing in this age group should perform dental treatment for young children. In cases where cavities are mild, minimal intervention may include fluoride application, maintaining oral hygiene, and regular follow-up. However, more advanced cavities may require more extensive treatment, including fillings or, rarely, root canals or extractions.
Encourage your children to adopt healthy habits to maintain their dental health. You can explore their mouth structure together, learn the names of the teeth (incisors, canines, and molars), and count how many teeth they have. It's also an excellent time to explain the importance of dental care, and you can use stories about "Karius and Bactus" to help illustrate this. Of course, continue to emphasize regular check-ups and necessary treatment with a dentist.
In addition to instilling hygiene habits, remember that dietary choices at home also have an impact on dental health. Try to minimize the consumption of sugary drinks (anything other than water) and avoid daily intake of sugary snacks. Instead, incorporate foods that promote dental health, such as crisp fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, celery), which aid in removing bacteria from the teeth and preventing gum diseases. Include calcium-rich foods in their diet, such as dairy products, almonds, tofu, and tahini. Ensure a balanced diet with a variety of foods and encourage drinking plenty of water.
At this age, children are usually capable of brushing their teeth independently, but that doesn't mean they bear all the responsibility. It is essential to ensure they continue to brush their teeth twice a day, and it is advisable to verify that their brushing technique is effective and correct. Seeking guidance from a dentist or dental hygienist can be beneficial in this regard.
In addition to regular dental check-ups, consider whether your child may need orthodontic treatment for teeth alignment. The current recommendation is to have an orthodontic evaluation at the age of 7 (or earlier if issues are noticed).
Orthodontic treatment is crucial for dental health, and there are many advantages to seeking professional evaluation and treatment at an early age. You are invited to read more about orthodontic treatments for children. {LINK}
Furthermore, if your child has already started orthodontic treatment, it's important to remember that the treatment requires extra attention to oral hygiene. Make sure your children follow their orthodontist's recommendations for maintaining oral health.
We understand your concerns – maintaining healthy teeth is essential. Still, your child may not be willing to visit the dentist, especially if their previous visit involved tantrums as soon as they settled in the chair. So, what can be done to make the experience more positive?
First and foremost, remember that you are not alone in these feelings, and neither are your children. Many adults and children alike feel anxious about dental treatments. This apprehension often leads to avoiding routine check-ups or relatively simple treatments, which can ultimately escalate into more complicated dental issues.
Consider the situation from your child's perspective: they encounter a stranger (on their first visit) or someone they may feel uncomfortable with (on subsequent visits), asking them to open their mouth for an extended period (something they're not accustomed to doing) while using unfamiliar instruments that make strange noises. Even if you tell them it's essential for their health – it's not easy for them to believe.
Even before heading to the dentist, it's advisable to prepare your children for the experience. Practice opening their mouth and "letting someone take a look inside." You can even use a small mirror to show them the inside of their mouth.
Inform them that soon you will visit the dentist, who will ask them to open their mouth, and they will take care of their teeth to ensure they remain healthy and strong.
Many parents unwittingly use sentences that generate fear in their children, such as:
"If you eat too many sweets, we'll have to go to the dentist." (This causes the child to fear the impending visit.)
"Don't worry; they won't do anything to you." (Leaves them wondering what will happen.)
"If you behave nicely, you'll get a reward." (Implies that the visit will involve something unpleasant.)
Instead, opt for positive preparation, using familiar words and concepts.
Even if you're not approaching a dental visit, avoid negative talk at home about the subject. Sentences like "If you eat too many sweets, we'll have to go to the dentist" or "If you don't brush your teeth, the dentist will get angry" can make children associate the dentist with punishment and, in turn, create fear of future encounters.
Pediatric dentists specialize in treating infants and children and are well-versed in dealing with children who may fear dental care. Dental offices catering to children usually have an atmosphere tailored to their age group, allowing them to feel safe and comfortable.
As parents, your active involvement in promoting proper nutrition and hygiene, coupled with the creation of positive dental experiences, will pave the way for your children to lead healthy, smile-filled lives.
