5 Tips on How to Clean Baby Teeth
Brushing baby teeth might seem like something not worth dealing with. To some people, they are only temporary teeth that will soon be replaced with permanent adult teeth. However, brushing baby teeth from an early age can help nurture lifelong hygiene practices. It also helps prevent oral problems that can lead to severe problems like tooth decay. Below are five tips on how you can effectively clean baby teeth.
1. When to Start Flossing Baby Teeth
You should begin flossing baby teeth once your kid is between two to six years old. To begin, check to see whether their teeth are close together. Flossing baby teeth helps remove food particles from between their teeth. Failure to remove these particles can lead to gum disease and tooth decay. Therefore, establishing a good flossing habit ensures that your kid’s teeth and gums remain healthy.
2. Use an Appropriate Size Toothbrush
Before buying a toothbrush, you should consider something that fits easily into your kid’s mouth. If your child can hold the toothbrush, consider something that they can easily hold and manipulate. You should also consider buying a toothbrush with soft bristles and polished or rounded ends since they are gentle on the tooth enamel and gums. Besides the size, you should choose a toothbrush that suits your kid’s tastes in terms of pattern, color, etc. This helps make brushing more fun, thus encouraging your child to do it frequently.
3. What Toothpaste is Recommended?
It’s advisable to use toothpaste with fluoride since it can help prevent tooth decay and cavities. However, if you aren’t comfortable with fluoride, you can look for fluoride-free children’s toothpaste. If you’re unsure about fluoride, you should speak to your pediatrician. Furthermore, since it’s hard for some kids to spit out toothpaste, find something that’s safe to swallow. The ingredients to avoid in your baby’s toothpaste include harsh or abrasive ingredients, essential oils, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
4. Simple Techniques to Brush Baby Teeth
When brushing teeth for a baby or toddler, you should hold their brush with them and smear the size of a grain of rice with your preferred children’s toothpaste onto the brush. At the age of three, you can increase to a pea-sized amount. If your kid swallows a little, don’t worry. You can teach older children how to brush by themselves but inspect them to ensure they spit out the toothpaste.
5. Bring Your Baby to Your Pediatric Dentist
Besides frequently cleaning your kid’s teeth, you also need to take them to a pediatric dentist. The dentist ensures that your child can easily develop healthy dental habits. Here, your child can learn how to floss, brush and understand how to prevent cavities. Forming their good habits early can last a lifetime.
Cleaning baby teeth can help nurture lifelong dental hygiene practices while preventing tooth decay. Before you begin cleaning and flossing your baby’s teeth, you should find the ideal toothbrush and toothpaste for your kid. Speak with a pediatrician to know whether fluoride is something you should avoid when choosing toothpaste.
Our dentists at Smile First Pediatric Dentistry will happily speak with you more about baby teeth hygiene and answer all of your questions. You can request an appointment or call us at (631) 563-7462.
The Importance of Flossing in Pediatric Dentistry
Flossing your child’s teeth is important as long as they have two teeth that touch. In most cases, this will be between the ages of 2 to 3. Flossing helps you reach the parts of your kid’s teeth that a toothbrush can’t reach. It also helps eliminate plaque buildup, thus preventing gum disease and tooth decay.
Observing the best oral health habits with your kid can help strengthen their teeth and gum line. Over time, your kid can learn how to brush and floss their teeth by themselves. Read on to learn about the top benefits of flossing.
Prevents Gum Disease
One sign of gum disease is inflammation around the gums. Your kid’s gums can also bleed when you floss or brush their teeth. If not treated, your kid can end up with a more severe infection that can cause the gums to pull away from their teeth. Brushing your child’s teeth twice a day and flossing them once a day can help reduce the risk of gum disease. Besides, it’s advisable to frequently take them for professional cleanings to a pediatric dentist to keep their gums healthy.
Can Help Prevent Heart Disease
Research shows that flossing benefits extend beyond the teeth and gums. Flossing can play a crucial bit in preventing heart disease. One of the least severe gum diseases is gingivitis, which has symptoms like irritation, swelling, and redness of the gums. If untreated, it can become periodontitis, leading to tooth loss. It can also increase the risk of a stroke or heart attack. That’s because the bacteria from your tooth rot can enter your bloodstream and travel to other body parts.
Helps Prevent Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can lead to cavities that create a tiny hole or crack on the tooth’s hard surface. Although the decay takes time, the more plaque your child has on their enamel can increase the risk of tooth decay. Flossing between the teeth daily can eliminate any hidden foods and plaque buildup, thus reducing the chances of tooth decay.
Improves Tooth Appearance
There is always a correlation between your child’s self-confidence and their smile. Having a great smile can help them get along with other kids or make amazing first impressions. Flossing can help prevent bad breath and give your kid a great teeth appearance. In return, they can keep their smile for a long time.
Keeps You From Seeing the Dentist More Than Necessary
Gum disease, tooth decay, or overwhelming plaque can lead to frequent dentist visits. To avoid all this, it’s advisable to practice brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. With clean teeth, your kid will only require visiting the dentist after six months for professional cleaning.
The best thing about flossing is that it’s never too late to begin. Besides, you can let your child pick the flavor they prefer, thus making the process fun. Also, remember to focus on establishing a routine by finding a time that works for your child.
Ready to find a pediatric dentistry near you? Our dentist or hygienist at Smile First Pediatric Dentistry can discuss the importance of flossing with your child while your child attends regular dental checkup. Our friendly staff are happy to assist you in scheduling an appointment. Contact our office to make an appointment or call us at (631) 563 – 7462.
Why Choose A Kids Only Dentist
Going to dentists can be scary for little ones! However, taking them to a kids only dentist is important for their overall health and wellbeing. It is very important to teach the kids the significance of oral hygiene. With time they can develop good dental care habits. Taking children to the dentist for kids (or pediatric dentist) can establish good oral care habits. Kids form a routine of regular checkups, and can also learn from the dentists about good brushing and flossing techniques. But why should we choose kids only dentists, not regular dentists?
A Kids Only Dentist Is Specially Certified
Kids only dentists have special training for children’s dental care, which makes them the most desirable dentist for kids. They understand the characteristics of the kid’s teeth and have the skill and experience to take care of the kids who are both young and teenagers. Kids only dentists have the education, specialization in pediatric dental techniques and expertise in dealing with children to help them to maintain their oral health.
Pediatric dentists are a good choice because they have seen various types of medical cases and common pediatric conditions. Thus they can give the right kind of diagnosis and advise on the kid’s dental problems. Kids are different from adults and so are their dental health problems. Pediatric dentists can understand them and their problems better.
Providing a Kid Friendly Environment
The Pediatric Dental services have been designed as per the kid’s needs and requirements. The kids only dentist office can provide all the tools, decor, furniture, and other things which will be kid friendly. These small details can put kids at ease and encourage them to visit the dentist’s office. Kids enjoy rewards like small toys, stickers, and little gifts given to them by most dentists.
Better Understanding Of Kids Growth And Oral Health Issues
Dental hygiene and oral care are a vital part of overall physical health. Just like we visit a regular pediatrician for our kids, visiting dentists for kids is also very important. Taking them regularly to the kid’s only dentist’s office will help children understand and develop healthy oral care routines. A pediatric dentist focuses on providing gentle, calm, and kid-focused dental care. As the dentist’s office is kids friendly they utilize special tools that are child-sized, and meant for the kid’s purposes only. These are specialized tools and instruments that are just the right size specifically meant for kids’ mouths.
The kids-only dentists are specially trained for children of all ages from infants, to teenagers and also kids with special needs. As pediatric dentists have treated so many kids’ cases, they have a solid understanding of the dental health problems kids may experience. This enables them to give the right kind of advice for your kid’s oral condition.
Final Note
Kids’ healthy oral habits are very important for their physical well being which makes regular trips to kids’ dentists’ offices very important. Starting early is also recommended roughly when your child is 6 months old. The extensive specialization kids’ dentists go through helps them provide a positive dental experience and good treatment for kids.
It please us at Smile First Pediatric Dentistry to offer that level of treatment! Contact us to set up an appointment or call our office at 631-563-7462. We look forward to helping you keep your child’s smile bright and healthy.