A Parent’s Guide to Dental Care for Infants As They Grow

As a parent, you want your child to be happy, healthy, and confident.
One way to achieve this is by protecting their dental development. Find
the answers to many of your questions about helping your child have a
healthier smile.

The Basics from Birth to One-Year Old

Did you know that your baby’s mouth needs dental care before their
teeth even emerge? Pediatric dentists advise establishing healthy habits
at a very young age by cleaning your baby’s gums with a moist washcloth
or gauze pad following every feeding. Continue this recommended dental
care for infants even after their first tooth appears, which typically
occurs at six months of age. After more teeth come in, start brushing
these tiny teeth with a small baby toothbrush and cool water. Most
importantly, take your baby to a kid’s dentist for their first oral
examination as soon as their first tooth emerges. Pediatric dentists
strongly recommend seeking out professional dental care for infants no
later than their first birthday to give them a head start on a healthy
smile.

Dental Dos and Don’ts from Age 1 to Age 3

During this time, your child will probably want to hold their own
toothbrush, but will still need your help to brush their teeth properly.
You need to continue brushing your child’s teeth twice each day with a
soft-bristled toothbrush. Use a gentle scrubbing motion to teach your
child to brush with care. Pediatric dentists recommend using a small
smear of toothpaste for children under age 2, increasing to a pea-sized
amount for children over this age. It’s time to start flossing their
teeth as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Don’t expert your child
to have the skills to floss on their own until they’re at least 9 years
old. You should also have started taking your child for regular
professional cleanings and check-ups every six months, or as advised by
your pediatric dentist.

Tooth Truths from 4 to 5 Years Old

Around this age, many children want to start brushing their own
teeth. If so, you need to teach your child the proper way to brush. You
can also ask your kid’s dentist to show your child the most kid-friendly
techniques. While it’s important to let your child practice brushing
daily, you need to supervise to ensure that they’re cleaning their teeth
correctly. Get your child a new toothbrush every three months or as
soon as its bristles look worn to keep their mouths clean and their
brushing at its best.

Dental Rules for School-Aged Kids from 7 to 8 Years Old

By now, your child should be brushing their teeth on their own with a
regular-sized toothbrush, but you need to still occasionally check on
how well they’re actually brushing. Ask your kid’s pediatric dentist for
special tablets that will stain the sections of their teeth where
plaque has started to accumulate. This will show where your child needs
to brush better.

Follow these helpful hints to protect your child’s smile and begin a lifetime of healthy dental care.

source: “A Parent’s Guide to Dental Care for Infants As They Grow.”
mainstreetsmiles.com. Main Street Smiles, Oct. 6th, 2015. Web. Dec.
17th, 2016.