As your child grows, you must ensure that your child’s smile lasts for a lifetime. Excellent oral health not only keeps dental problems away but is also key to maintaining good overall health. Maintaining good oral hygiene for children is an habit that every parent needs to and tries to instill in their children. While this is true, at most times, parents are anxious about their child’s dental health. Here’s are some tips on dental care for children that will help you ensure your child has strong teeth and a beautiful smile:

Infants

Typically, an infant has no teeth at all. Still keeping a check on their oral health is imperative. Following are the points you need to check for while monitoring an infant’s oral health:

• As there are no teeth and the gums are delicate, you must use a soft cloth to wipe your baby’s gums until teeth begin to erupt. Until they reach the age of 6, you should avoid using fluoride toothpaste.
• You must be careful to provide only milk and water, as other drinks and foods may harm their tender gums. Even after their teeth begin to erupt, you must be careful about the kind of food being offered.

Consult a family dentist for tips and to schedule your child’s regular dental appointments.

Toddlers or Preschoolers

Children need parental assistance till the age of 9 to follow a proper dental care routine. So, here are few things you need to pay attention to for your toddler.

• Once your child is above they can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as it helps to strengthen their teeth and prevent tooth decay.
• While selecting a proper toothbrush for your child, choose one with a tapered end and has soft bristles. The former helps clean the hard-to-reach areas, while the latter assists in prevent any damage to the teeth and gums.
• Using a tongue cleaner is a must. Cleaning their tongue prevents the build-up of bacteria, fungi, and food debris that eventually prevent further risks to their oral health.

School-Age Children

Children in this age group are grown up to maintain good oral hygiene on their own. But, at this age, their milk teeth start to fall off. As a parent, you may get anxious when the tooth fairy arrives. While that is natural, you priority should be comforting your child. Following these measures can be helpful:

• Parents must continue to encourage children to brush and floss regularly, and follow other dental hygiene practices.
• Regular dental checkups are a must as the child starts to grow and the baby teeth start to fall off. This will help them get over the fear and anxiety when they lose their first baby tooth.
• As your child starts playing sports, take proper precautionary measures by getting a custom sports mouthgaurd made by your dentist, so as to avoid any harm to their oral health .

 

While some of the points in your checklist keep changing as your child grows, some stay intact. Limiting unhealthy snacks, helping them follow a proper diet and ensuring they practice an oral care routine, can go a long way when it comes to dental care for children. Regular visits to a family dentist must not be ignored as it will help you to keep a check on your child’s dental hygiene.