A Mom’s Guide for Kids’ Dental Milestones – What to Know
Time will fly, especially fast when your children are growing up. At one point, your child will start growing their baby teeth, and before you know it, they may already need braces to help with their dental care. During the child’s formative years, it’s expected that their teeth will go through different milestones. As you encounter issues with your child’s teeth, remember not to become too overwhelmed. As a mom, keep in mind that it’s essential for you to be there for each of your child’s milestones.
To guide you on how to assist your child, check out the list of milestones below to know what to do in each stage.
Infant & toddler years
As your child enters their toddler years, you should expect their teeth’s first eruption just before the one year mark. When this happens, it’s best to choose a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. Children in their toddler years can be quite restless, which is why you need to find a dentist who knows how to best care for your child’s needs. To make an appointment, make sure that you call ahead of time, and book the earliest schedule so that your child will still be at their best behaviour.
Children should have a strong foundation in their early years to avoid problems that arise from cavities. Keep in mind that children can get cavities as soon as they start teething. As early as possible, children should be taught about proper oral health habits. You should monitor your child’s brushing habits as well as find ways to regulate the thumb-sucking behaviour.
Elementary years
During the child’s elementary years, know that they will start getting wiggly teeth. By this time, your child will begin complaining about getting toothaches since the permanent teeth will start loosening. When this happens, seek the advice of your dentist to find a temporary remedy that’s best for your child who is struggling with a toothache. You can expect that your child will also encounter bleeding once the front teeth start coming out.
To help relieve the pain, know that your dentist will recommend a tooth extraction. This is why it’s essential to make an appointment as soon as possible to monitor the condition of the teeth. The dentist can give recommendations about the new teeth that will come out. It’s best to monitor the growth of the teeth to avoid the risk or overcrowding or cavity development.
Teen years
The teen years are one of the most challenging milestones of your child’s oral health. During this time, they may have several dental issues that need to be addressed with orthodontal treatment. Know that orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that covers teeth straightening or bite correction. The orthodontist may recommend braces or aligners to correct the placement of your child’s teeth. This is the final milestone of your child’s oral health. With the help of the dental treatments, proper oral hygiene, and good eating habits, your child can have perfect teeth as they transition into adulthood.
Conclusion
For more information about your child’s teeth milestones, remember to consult with your trusted family dentist. Make sure to find a reliable dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry to guide you through the different stages of childhood. With regular check-ups and timely treatments, your child can achieve perfectly white teeth. By starting them early, you can save them from any teeth problems that can grow along the way.
We are dentists in South Edmonton, get in touch with us to see how we can help.