Oral Health Care Tips for Your Child
Kids need help in practicing good dental care every day for a lifetime of beautiful smiles! These tips will help you teach your child at every stage from teething onward:
- Use a warm, soft wash cloth to wipe your babys teeth and gums after nursing or bottle feeding.
- Never put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, or anything other than water. Doing so will contribute to early childhood decay. Formula, milk, and juice contain sugar which can be harmful to the teeth.
- Baby teeth generally begin to emerge between 6 and 10 months of age. The last teeth to arrive will be the second molars, which are likely to make an appearance by the time your child is 2 years old. In total, your child will have 20 baby teeth.
- Teething symptoms include: sore gums, restlessness, irritability, and disruption of eating and sleeping habits. Teething may also be associated with a low-grade fever.
- A cold teething ring may be used to ease the discomfort of teething.
- Between the ages of 3 and 5, your child will be ready to start brushing their teeth, using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Encourage your child to brush their teeth for 2 minutes, two times daily. Try using a musical toothbrush, or a sand timer so that they can time their brushing.
- Assist your child with flossing daily. Help children to start flossing on their own around age 6. Floss handles are great for kids who have difficulty using regular floss.
Contact 404 Dental in Newmarket for more information on oral health care tips for your child, or to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled pedodontists!
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