Dental care is not only important for adults but it is paramount to upkeep and maintain the baby’s oral health. Indeed, every parent awaits the day when their baby gets the first tooth. The first baby tooth eruption starts at 6 months to 10 months. Almost 75% of parents are unaware that 6 months is the right time to visit the kids dentist.
According to dentists, care for teeth and gums should begin before the first tooth of a baby starts appearing. It is because the baby’s teeth help them eat well and speak properly. So, get to know how to take care of baby teeth to make the adult teeth healthy and strong in the following article.
Importance of healthy baby teeth
Baby teeth develop inside the mother’s womb but are hidden in the gums. Right after the first tooth appears, it is important to upkeep dental health. These baby teeth become the foundation for strong adult teeth. If proper care is not determined, teeth cavity hits the baby’s mouth which ends up in the tooth extraction in very severe cases. Kids dentist ensures oral health from baby’s first tooth to adult oral health. Almost 1 percent of kids aged 5 years old who brush their teeth twice daily show a lower prevalence of dental issues in Turkey. Get to know how the baby teeth health is important:
- Eating- Good and strong baby teeth help the child to chew properly. It allows one to develop better chewing habits and proper swallowing. If the child cannot chew properly, it will lead to nutritional deficiency or often ends with cavities or severe dental issues.
- Pronunciation- Better teeth alignment and positioning of the teeth helps the baby with the correct word pronunciation. It is important during the early years of a child because teeth alignment assists the child to learn better and speak well.
- Confidence- Loss of a tooth due to any reason such as cavities, accident, trauma, or tooth extraction affects the self-esteem of a child.
Indeed, teeth with cavities look untidy and may enable a child to avoid smiling or engage socially. So, healthy teeth and a happy mouth influence the overall appearance and boost the child’s confidence.
- Healthy adult teeth- Healthy baby teeth mean healthy adult teeth which can only be possible by visiting the kids dentist at an early age. The main reason for tooth damage or tooth decay is the bacteria in snacks, drinks, and acidic foods. It may lead to infection and pain. Bacteria not only affects the baby tooth but influences the adult teeth in the future as well.
- Cavity protection- Parents should avoid giving kids too many sugary food items at an early age. It leads to abscesses or large cavities which may penetrate in the mouth for the long term and affect the eruption of adult teeth. It is good to maintain and upkeep oral health to eliminate the consequences of dental problems.
Steps to keep your child’s teeth healthy
Only visiting the kids dentist is not enough to maintain healthy baby teeth. Parents follow a daily oral care routine to protect the baby’s smile. Healthy teeth mean a healthy baby and a healthy baby is a happy baby. The cavities or unhealthy mouth conditions create painful conditions or may lead to tooth extraction at an early age. Follow these steps to prevent cavities and tooth decay in babies.
- Handle pacifiers carefully- Most bacteria are transferred into the kid’s mouth through pacifiers, spoons, or feeding cups. It can easily be transferred from mouth to mouth. So, avoid using the pacifier of any other child or putting it into your mouth and then giving it to the baby. Do avoid tasting the kids meal or food with the same spoon.
- Clean their mouths– Kids dentist always advise cleaning the infant’s mouth after the meal. Even before the first teeth appear, the dentist recommends using a clean and damp washcloth to wipe the baby’s gums after feeding. However, after the first baby teeth, always use a good and soft-bristled brush to clean the baby teeth.
- Healthy routine- Use a good fluoride toothpaste of the size of a grain on the toothbrush for brushing the baby’s teeth. Fluoride fights tooth decay and cavities. Try to maintain the routine of brushing teeth twice for at least 2 minutes. Always brush the teeth after the last meal or feed.
- Use cup after the first birthday- After one year, avoid using feeders or bottles for kids. Create a habit of drinking from a cup because it prevents tooth decay, cavities, or issues like tooth extraction.
Limit sugary drinks and sticky food- Candies, chocolates, soda, fruit juice, and many related food that are not recommended at an early age. According to the kids dentist, these sugary food items and beverages are not good for kids’ teeth.
- Healthy eating habits– It is best to feed the child with a balanced diet that contains fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, and good dairy food. Limit canned food or anything that contains high sugar.
- Visit a doctor regularly- if babies get to visit the dentist before their first birthday, pediatricians can spot any early warning signs in the baby’s mouth. Pediatricians provide good suggestions and tips to avoid serious risks that may lead to tooth extraction shortly.
When to take your child to the dentist?
After the baby’s first tooth, it is good to schedule an appointment and visit the dentist for the best oral care. Dentists advise to adopt a healthy routine and explain everything on how to maintain mouth health. Besides checking for gum issues or teeth problems, dentists provide proper tips to handle the habits like bottle sucking, pacifier, or thumb sucking which may cause serious teeth issues.
Cavities, tooth decay, and severe tooth pain lead to tooth extraction at an early age. So, avoid dealing with such a condition and schedule a meeting with a dentist as early as the baby gets the first tooth.
Conclusion
The parents must upkeep their oral health so the kids can also adopt it as early as possible. Bad dental habits lead to painful conditions such as tooth extraction due to severe cavities and tooth decay.
Encourage good oral habits by maintaining a healthy mouth with professionals at Lycian Dental Clinic, where our kids dentist is the best one you’ll find anywhere. Our kids dentist helps enhance the smile and set up good dental health. So, if you care for your child’s mouth and teeth, book your appointment now.
