You can care for your baby’s teeth by cleaning the gums with a damp cloth or face washer when they’re about three months old. Use a small, soft-bristled brush to brush their teeth when the first teeth appear. Remember to brush gently and use baby-friendly toothpaste with low fluoride content.
A balanced diet also promotes the proper growth and health of your baby’s teeth. However, avoid breastfeeding or bottlefeeding them right before bed to reduce their risk of tooth decay. Lastly, schedule regular dental visits to ensure optimal dental health.
Yes, most dental insurance companies cover preventative dental care for children. This preventative dental care includes regular cleanings, checkups, sealants, and fluoride supplements. Insurance companies that don’t offer complete coverage offer partial coverage. With partial coverage, the insurance company may cover, say, 80% of the cost with a 20% deductible.
To floss your child’s teeth properly, you first need to select the right type of dental floss. Look for a flatter dental floss, which can access the tiny gaps between their teeth. For traditional floss, you’ll have to cut an 18-inch piece and guide the floss between the teeth, then move it down the gumline to floss it.
Move the floss back and forth against each side of the tooth for thorough flossing. Once you complete one gap, help your child curve the floss against the tooth to begin flossing the next tooth. Repeat the process until they get the hang of it and can do it on their own.
Proper teeth-brushing techniques are imperative to strong and healthy teeth in children. To ensure your child brushes their teeth properly, ensure you supervise their brushing. Watch while they brush their teeth and provide assistance when necessary. Ensure your child brushes their teeth in gentle, swirling motions and brush all the surfaces of the teeth.
Also, lead by example by showing them how to brush their teeth and let them follow. In addition to leading by example, consider buying children-friendly toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste. Doing so will make them excited about brushing their teeth and keeping cavities at bay.
Ensuring your child's dental health and preventing cavities is easier than you might think. You can start by brushing your child's teeth when the first one appears. Remember to use toothpaste the size of a rice grain for children under three but a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children over three years. Start flossing your child’s teeth the moment they turn two years old to get rid of food particles stuck between teeth.
Also, limit your child’s consumption of starchy and sugary foods. These foods promote the formation of cavities in the teeth. In addition to limiting sugary foods, you should also schedule regular dental visits to check for early signs of cavities and dental complications. Lastly, inquire about dental sealants and fluoride supplements to protect your child’s teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.
