Your child is a one of a kind treasure, and you want all the best for him or her, including a beautiful smile, good oral health, and a lifetime of wellness. As baby’s first teacher in life you play a big part in making that happen by introducing your little one to good oral health habits beginning at infancy.
Dr. Rina Kotecha and her hygiene team at Dentistry on 10 love treating their littlest patients to gentle dental care. Here are some tips on home hygiene to keep those visits primarily preventive:
- With a clean, damp cloth, wipe your infant’s gums twice a day. This keeps the mouth clean and familiarizes the child with routine oral care.
- As soon as teeth start to come in, brush them daily with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste.
- Schedule your child’s initial dental appointment within six months after the first tooth erupts, or by baby’s first birthday. This gives Dr. Kotecha an opportunity to monitor mouth development, and gets the child used to the office environment.
- Teething irritation, gum disease, and developmental problems from pacifiers or thumb sucking can start early. Dental visits allow Dr. Kotecha to watch for them and discuss treatment options with you.
- Infants can develop tooth decay soon after teeth emerge. “Baby bottle syndrome” is caused by the sugars in formula, milk, and fruit juice. If you give your child a bottle at bedtime, make it plain water.
- Help your young child brush each night. By about age 5, he or she should be able to handle the task with your supervision.
- Talk with Dr. Kotecha about dental sealants and fluoride treatments to reduce risk of tooth decay.
- Maintain exam visits twice a year or as often as Dr. Kotecha recommends.
The most important way you can help your child oral hygiene habits is to set a good example. Let the little you brush and floss, and see that you have no apprehension check-ups or treatments. You’ll help your child build dental and confidence in an attractive smile. Call Dentistry on 10 at (905) 455-9262 for more information on .