It’s never too early to consider your child’s oral health. The sooner you help your children establish good oral hygiene and lifestyle habits, the less likely they’ll be to develop common dental issues like cavities.
At Oasis Pediatric Dental Care and Orthodontics, our dentists Dr. Nathalie Phaeton, Dr. Ki Youn Kil, and our team offer a range of pediatric dentistry services at our office in Falls Church, Virginia.
Primary (baby) teeth may be temporary, but they require the same level of care as permanent teeth to ensure good oral health and development for your children. Baby teeth are vulnerable to damage and decay, and the habits your children develop in their youth can set the stage for their oral health in the future.
Here are three important steps to help set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums:
We recommend that you schedule your child’s first visit six months after the first tooth erupts, or around their first birthday. While this may seem early, regular dental exams are an important factor in your child’s oral health and healthy development.
In addition to monitoring your child’s dental development, dental appointments are the perfect opportunity to ask questions, share your concerns with our dentists, and establish a dental “home” for your child to help them get comfortable and feel at ease during dental exams and treatment.
Like adults, children need to brush and floss regularly to prevent cavities and gum disease and maintain their oral health.
You can start caring for your baby’s oral health before their primary teeth fully erupt by gently wiping their gums after each meal, and brushing each tooth individually as they erupt. Flossing is recommended once the teeth are close enough to touch.
Consistency is key, and you can make brushing feel like more of a game and less of a chore by devising a rewards system, or letting your child pick out their favorite toothbrush and toothpaste every few months to keep them engaged.
Diet is also an important factor in maintaining healthy teeth and gums, so try to monitor and limit their consumption of sugary snacks and drinks.
In addition to regular dental exams and good oral hygiene practices at home, there are some tools available that can help to lower your child’s cavity risk.
Sealants are a dental treatment designed to flatten the chewing surface of molars to make it easier for your child to brush their teeth. With sealants, the nooks and crannies where bacteria can hide from the reach of a toothbrush are covered, making it easier for your child to brush more effectively as they improve their technique.
The application of silver diamine fluoride is another treatment that can help prevent the development of cavities and other tooth problems.
To learn more about the steps you can take to protect your child’s teeth, contact us today to schedule an appointment at our office in Falls Church, Virginia.
