subject: The Development Of A Child's Teeth [print this page] Babies need good dental care at home and professionally, just like everyone else. The earlier that care is given to a child, the sooner you can make sure that his teeth would grow and develop well.
This is important because the space in the mouth for permanent teeth is reserved by primary teeth. Early loss of baby teeth would result in new teeth coming out crooked since the other teeth may shift to the empty space.
You can relieve the pain of child's sore gums caused by teething by using your fingers or a small cool spoon to rub against the gums.
If, however, your infant still seems to be uncomfortably, talk to your dentist, pediatrician or the nurse at the clinic.
Within the first days after birth, an infant's gums should start being wiped with a damp washcloth or gauze pad.
When the first tooth appears, cleaning it with a toothbrush with very little toothpaste is recommended.
There are toothbrushes that are designed for young children, and these should be what parents use. It should have soft, end rounded bristles that won't scratch delicate young gums, and is small enough for tiny mouths.
Baby bottle tooth decay may be a problem for infants who constantly fall asleep drinking formula, fruit juice, or sugar water.
These liquids pool around their teeth causing cavities, and baby teeth can be lost. Crooked looking permanent teeth would be the eventual result if no proper treatment is given.
Instead of sweet liquids, put your child to sleep by giving him a pacifier or a bottle filled with water so that baby bottle tooth decay is avoided.
To prevent small problems from becoming bigger, bring your baby to the dentist early in his life. While at the dentist, the baby's teeth may be examined for cavities and other dental problems that may have occurred from thumb sucking.
The dentist will give you advice on what diet your child should have, as well as tips on how maintain good dental health care for your kids.
Your child should be taught the importance of good dental care while he is still young. Your starting point is by providing them an example.
Good dental habits which you decide to practice for yourself will most likely be adopted by your child as well.
Parents should instruct kids on how to brush their teeth when they are around two or three years of age.
By age five, children should already be able to do it on their with slight supervision from their parents.
Being a more difficult task, flossing may require a little practice for the child to master it. The teeth of children should be flossed by their parents first when they are around two or three years of age.
As soon as the child reaches the age of eight, he can do flossing on his own with minimal supervision.
Tooth enamel is strengthened and made resistant to tooth decay because of a natural mineral known as fluoride.
Fluoride is a necessity for every person, most especially for young children. When new teeth start forming, the fluoride gets into the developing enamel and makes the teeth more resistant to decay.
For children to have fluoride, they can have it in either two ways, internally or topically. Fluoride taken internally is done through drinking fluoridated water and eating food with fluoride.
You can ask the dentist to apply topical fluoride on your child's teeth or you can do it yourself so that he can get added anti cavity protection.
by: John Chambers
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