Teaching Healthy Habits

Treating children starts with educating them by dentists. It’s important to teach them general dental health and techniques early so that they feel invested in their own dental care.

Children may be young but they are definitely capable of understanding the importance of good dental practices.

Treating Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are at risk for decay as soon as they first appear, often around six months old. Decay is most common in the upper front teeth due to bottle feeding.

Although rare, decayed baby teeth may need to be removed prior to permanent teeth coming in. To avoid such treatment, it is important to clean your child’s teeth and gums regularly.

• Begin cleaning your baby’s gums by wiping them with a clean, moist washcloth. As soon as teeth appear, decay can occur so begin light brushing of baby teeth as soon as they appear.
• For children younger than 3 years old, clean teeth with a fluoride toothpaste in an amount no larger than a grain of rice. Do this twice a day or as directed by a dentist or physician. Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use the proper technique.
• For children 3 to 6 years old, you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount. Continue to monitor your child’s teeth brushing, twice a day.
• As soon as your child has two teeth that touch, you should begin flossing their teeth daily.

The First Dental Visit

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, it’s time to schedule a dental visit. The ADA recommends that the first dental visit take place within six months after the first tooth appears, but no later than a child’s first birthday.

At this first visit Dr. Bidabadi will examine your child’s mouth and to check growth and development, including:

• Clean your child’s teeth and provide a routine for daily care.
• Performing an inspection for injuries or other concerning oral conditions.
• Evaluate the potential for developing tooth decay.
• Discuss teething, pacifier use and thumb sucking.

It’s important to note that infants and toddlers who do not receive an adequate amount of fluoride may be at an increased risk for tooth decay since fluoride helps make tooth enamel more resistant. Bottled water may not contain fluoride; therefore, children who regularly drink bottled water or unfluoridated tap water may be missing the benefits of fluoride.