Learning to take care of your young child’s teeth is one of the best things that you can do for their future dental health. And although there is a long list of things that you should do for your child’s oral health, there are many things that you should avoid as well. From avoiding juice before bed to not giving them toothpaste until they are old enough, this article will discuss three of the things that you should avoid giving your young child.
Juice Before Bed
If your child has teeth and needs to go to bed every night with a baby bottle, then consider switching them from juice to milk or water. Containing massive amounts of sugar, juice before bedtime will sit on their teeth and can cause thing such as plaque and cavities to form. If your child insists on having juice before bedtime, consider giving it to them about an hour before bed and then have them brush their teeth afterwards.
Big Toothbrushes
There are small, soft bristled toothbrushes that are designed specifically for young children’s mouths. And although you may think it’s fine to give your little one a big toothbrush to suck on while they are teething, large toothbrushes can actually be dangerous for your child because they can gag on them or stop themselves in the gums.
Toothpaste
Young children aren’t known for being able to decipher between objects to put in your mouth and items not to. And, as one of those things, toothpaste can be dangerous for young children to consume. If your child is nearing the age of three years old, they may be able to use a little drop of toothpaste on their toothbrush but make sure you consult Dr. Nazila Bidabadi beforehand.
Being a parent comes with a long list of things to do and things to avoid. If you are worried about your young child’s dental health use the tips above and contact Dr. Nazila Bidabadi at Soft Touch Dentistry with any questions that may arise.
