subject: Dental Care From The First Tooth To Wisdom Teeth [print this page] When parents have a baby, there are many things to consider and dental care probably is not the first thing that crosses their mind. Although, it is a fact that good dental practices and care begins with the very first tooth and even before. Taking good care of the teeth, gums and mouth is important and can be achieved through good oral hygiene routines. It is recommended to begin cleansing the mouth of the newborn even before the teeth actually erupt through the gums. Swab the baby's gums with a soft cloth after having a bottle or eating baby food.
As your baby begins teething, you will notice drooling, irritability and sometimes will be accompanied by a fever. Giving a teething baby something cool to drink is a good idea, but putting them to bed with any type of liquids is not good for their developing teeth. This lingering liquid that sits on the gums of the baby overnight has been proven to have an adverse effect on the teeth. Cavities are caused by bacteria and the goal is to keep the mouth as clean and bacteria-free as possible.
Brushing Early to Prevent Cavities
The best way to ward off bacteria and cavities is to brush the baby's new teeth when they come in. As the baby begins to grow, the teeth will start to emerge. Even as early as the very first tooth, it is advised to start brushing at least twice daily. You do not have to use much toothpaste for a single tooth, if any at all. The point is to simply remove any bacteria inside the mouth and continue swabbing the gums. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that is made for infants. Making a habit of brushing the baby's teeth daily will instill good dental care basics and once they are able, they can begin brushing on their own.
Preschoolers and the Dentist
Toddlers and preschoolers will need help as they start to brush their own teeth. Some parents like to let the child brush the teeth themselves and then do a complete brushing as a follow-up. This gives an independent feeling and further promotes good dental care. After all of the baby teeth have come in, a visit to the dentist is in order. The dentist can give the parent tips for hygiene and this will allow the young ones to become accustomed to the routine dental visit. When the child is around 6 - 8 years old, he can brush his teeth on his own, but you should still supervise and monitor the routine.
Teen Years and Wisdom Teeth Care
Being a teen is difficult these days with all of the social pressure and hectic schedules for school activities. The daily dental care practices should continue to have importance. As they develop a good relationship with their dentist and maintain the check-up schedule that has been set, the dentist will monitor things like changes in jaw and facial shape, frequency of sealants, and how well that the wisdom teeth are coming in. If the wisdom teeth will cause damage to other teeth or cause misalignment, the dentist can detect it and give advice upon whether or not an oral surgeon will be necessary. Many times the wisdom teeth come in unobstructed, but a good dental care routine should continue throughout the teen years into adulthood.
by: Rachel Nolander
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
