How to keep a child’s teeth healthy

Many parents may be unsure about how much care they should take to maintain their child’s dental care needs. Dentists recommend that parents should take an interest in their child’s dental hygiene as young as infancy.

Although an infant’s teeth have not broken through their gums, at birth an infant has 20 fully developed teeth within their jaw. This means that as soon as a baby starts teething parents should clean their teeth with a damp washcloth to remove bacteria on their gums. When baby teeth develop, use an infant toothbrush and use a small quantity of fluoride-free toothpaste to clean their teeth.

At the age of 2 or 3, a child should be able to swish and spit out toothpaste, which means that parents can use a pea-sized quantity of fluoride toothpaste to brush the child’s teeth. Children will need to be supervised when brushing their teeth until around 8 years of age as they may not brush their teeth as required.

The ADA recommends that children should see a dentist when they get their first tooth, which is around their first birthday. Early visits can help dentists identify problems that can be often rectified.

Children who seem at risk of cavities or have alignment problems that cause difficulty in brushing certain areas may require a topical fluoride application to strengthen enamel and reduce cavities from occurring.

Children can greatly reduce cavities by brushing their teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. If your child is old enough to floss, they should be taught to do so as soon as possible. Flossing before bed will loosen food particles from between teeth and help keep a child’s mouth clean while they sleep. Eating a healthy diet full of lean meats, vegetables, and fruits with limited sugary foods can additionally help children maintain healthy teeth for life.

Dr. Andre Eliasian is one of the leading dentists in oral surgery in Glendale CA. His clinic offers several services which include fillings, tooth extractions, and complex oral surgeries. If you are looking for wisdom tooth extraction in Glendale or dental implants in Glendale call for an appointment.