Dental Care of the Child
Dental care of the child focuses on prevention and detection of
any dental problems. It includes education about oral hygiene, preventive
measures, and treatment of any problems.
What is the information for this topic?
Regular brushing and flossing by children can reduce or eliminate plaque, a
bacteria-rich deposit that settles on the teeth. Through regular teeth
cleaning, the dentist or hygienist can remove the remnants of plaque missed
through brushing and flossing. These plaque remnants adhere to the teeth as
tartar or calculus. Special tools may be needed to remove plaque around dental
work or other areas of the mouth that are hard to clean.
Proper dental hygiene that removes bacterial residue will keep breath fresh.
Periodic examinations and dental
X-rays are also important. These X-rays can spot dental disease at
an early stage when it is easily treated.
A child's first visit to the dentist should occur when the first few baby teeth
appear. This is usually around 6 months of age and the first visit should be a
get-acquainted visit. After most of the baby teeth have come in at about 3
years of age, the child should begin regular dental visits. Most children who
go to the dentist at this young age do not develop a fear of the dentist. The
dentist will show the parent home methods to care for the very small child's
teeth.
Specific advice regarding the care of children's teeth may include the
following:
Don't let a child go to bed with a bottle. Sugars from milk and juice can
cause baby bottle tooth
decay.
Discourage sweet snacks that contain tooth-damaging sugars.
Discuss the need for
fluoride supplements. This will vary depending on the local water
supply, which may already contain fluoride.
Follow sports safety guidelines for
children to avoid injuries to the teeth.
Have an adult dispense the child's toothpaste when the child is very young
so that the child does not swallow too much toothpaste.
Teach the child how to brush his or her teeth and gums twice a day as
soon as the child can handle a child-size toothbrush.
Use a damp washcloth or soft toothbrush to gently clean baby teeth.
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