How can I keep my child’s teeth healthy?
Following a few simple guidelines can help keep your child’s teeth strong and beautiful for life:
Start oral care early
Oral care should start soon after your child is born. After feeding, clean your child’s gums using gauze or a clean, damp cloth. As soon as your child’s teeth appear — as soon as four months after birth — they should be brushed. Each day, brush your child’s teeth with a soft, wet toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Prevent nursing-bottle mouth
Nursing-bottle mouth, also known as baby-bottle tooth decay or baby-bottle syndrome, can cause a baby’s front teeth to rapidly decay, which can lead to a lifetime of dental difficulties. Preventing nursing bottle mouth is easy: If you give your baby a bottle at nap or bed time, simply fill it with plain water rather than formula, milk, or juice—never let your child fall asleep with a bottle filled with a liquid other than water In addition, check your child for brown spots near the gums because they are a warning sign for tooth decay.
Take your child to the dentist
General, preventative dentistry should start early. A child’s first dental visit should take place at 6 to 12 months after birth. Regular fluoride treatments, administered by a dentist, are especially helpful in strengthening enamel and arresting tooth decay for children.
Take advantage of dental sealants
Dental sealants are a popular and effective way to protect your child’s teeth against cavities.