Oral Hygiene Routines For Your Children
Teeth can last a lifetime if you take care of them and the best time to start is as soon as they begin appearing. At West Gate Dental in Lincoln, we believe by establishing good oral hygiene routines for your children right from the start, you'll give them the best chance of keeping their teeth healthy, forever. Our dentist recommends taking specific steps to ensure your children, at all ages, are brushing and flossing properly to avoid tooth decay and cavities.
Babies
Babies can develop a form of tooth decay known as early childhood caries. This occurs when they are allowed to go to sleep with a bottle that's filled with anything but water. The sugars in formula, milk (even breast milk) and juice can pool around the teeth and feed decay-causing bacteria. When it comes to bedtime soothing, a pacifier or bottle filled with water is safer for developing teeth — that is, until about age 3. At that point, sucking habits should be gently discouraged to prevent orthodontic problems from developing later on.
Brush your baby's first teeth gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, using just a thin smear of fluoride toothpaste, at least once a day at bedtime. Before a tooth fully erupts, you can use a water-soaked gauze pad to clean around the tooth and gums. Please bring your child in to see our dentist by age 1 for early dental care. We can demonstrate proper hygiene techniques, look for signs of early decay, and recommend fluoride supplementation if needed.
Children
Starting at age 3, you can begin teaching your child to brush with a children's toothbrush and no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Please remember, children will need help with this important task until about age 6 when they have the fine motor skills to do an effective job themselves.
It's also extremely important to start encouraging healthy dietary habits at this time. Your child will have less plaque buildup and decay if you place limits on soda and sugary snack consumption. Any sugary treats that are allowed should come at mealtimes, not in between. This will ensure your child is not creating favorable conditions for oral bacteria to grow around the clock.
At your child's regular, twice-yearly dental checkups and cleanings, we can apply topical fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel and make it more resistant to erosion and decay. If necessary, we can also apply dental sealants to the back teeth (molars) to prevent food particles and bacteria from building up in the tiny grooves where a toothbrush can't reach.
Teenagers
At this point, your children have the primary responsibility for maintaining their day-to-day dental health, but you can continue to help them make good dietary and behavioral choices. These include drinking plenty of water and avoiding soda, sports drinks, and energy drinks, all of which are highly acidic; avoiding tobacco and alcohol; and continuing to visit our office regularly for cleanings and exams. This is particularly important if your teen wears braces, which can make it more difficult to keep teeth clean.
Call Your Lincoln Dentist For Your Child's Next Appointment!
If you or your child have any questions or concerns about their oral hygiene, please never hesitate to ask. Our dentistry team at West Gate Dental want to ensure your child has good oral hygiene habits for life, allowing them to smile bright and big! To schedule your child's next dental appointment, fill out our online form or call our Lincoln, NE office directly. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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