Yes, baby teeth do fall out, but it is still important to look after them. Kids need them for proper chewing and speech development. They also hold a space for the adult tooth to come. So what is the best way to care for them? Children’s Dentistry near you, in Alderley QLD.
Understanding your Child’s Teeth from Birth to Age Six
As parents, you are required to take care of everything to do with your child and their teeth. You need to take this responsibility seriously. As soon as a child is born, their teeth start to develop, and when the baby reaches the age of 6 months, their teeth start to appear. When the child reaches the age of 2, he or she will have 23 teeth first. These are the primary teeth which need to be looked after properly.
Take Care of Your Child’s Teeth
After the age of six, the primary teeth start to fall out, and their permanent teeth take their place. It is essential that parents look after their child’s teeth. Here are a few tips you can begin with for taking care of your child’s teeth:
- Clean your baby’s gum with some damp cloth to make sure no remains of the milk are left behind.
- As soon as teeth start to appear, replace the cloth with a soft toothbrush for cleaning the little gums.
- Use pea size amount of toothpaste for toddlers starting from the age of eighteen months to the age of five years. Don’t use fluoride toothpaste until the child learns how to spit.
- Brush your baby’s teeth at least twice per day and as soon as he starts to mature, encourage him and teach him to brush his teeth himself.
- Don’t ever let your child sleep with a filled or empty. If your child does not sleep without it, then make sure the bottle contains hot water instead of any other fluid.
- Start taking your child to the dentist when he reaches the age of 12 months.
Chances of Tooth Decay
As the child grows and his teeth start to come in he is prone to tooth decay. Children mostly love eating sweets, which can develop plaque. If the plaque is not removed, then it can damage the teeth and cause tooth decay. You can help your child prevent tooth decay in the following ways:
- Instead of giving chocolates and biscuits, you can feed your child healthier foods.
- If your child can’t live without sweets, then try to at least reduce the number of sweets.
- Sucking on a lollipop or other sweets would be more harmful.
- Fizzy drinks can also be damaging to the enamel. Children should not be given too much.
Which Toothpaste Is Best for a Child?
When your child starts pre-school, that is when he should be using toothpaste that has fluoride. Fluoride is really good at fighting bacteria that cause cavities. Fluoride can help the teeth become stronger, that’s why many orthodontists recommend the use of fluoride toothpaste. However, in recent years there have been many debates about whether fluoride is safe to use. Consult your dentist before giving your child fluoride.
Help your child brush his teeth and make sure that he or she develops the habit of brushing them regularly and properly.
Contact Your Family Dentist in Alderley QLD
When your child is ready for their first dentist appointment, contact our office to book a family-friendly, child-focused dentist experience in Alderley QLD.
