As a parent, especially a new one, it can be challenging to determine when to begin caring for your child’s teeth or when they should see a dentist for the first time. However, a few tips can help you figure out the best way to begin caring for your child’s teeth.
When To Start Brushing Their Teeth
This may surprise new parents, but just because you cannot see teeth yet does not mean you do not need to think about their oral health. By the time your baby is born, they already have twenty primary teeth fully developed in their jaw.
Even before they begin teething, you should use a damp washcloth to run along their gums to clean away any bacteria that could be harmful. Once they get their teeth, it is time to start brushing them with a particular infant toothbrush that can be found in the store.
As soon as their teeth have grown, so they are touching one another, it is time to floss. When your child is around two years old, they should also begin learning how to spit while brushing their teeth. By age three, they should be able to handle a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste if they have learned to spit while brushing. It would be best to supervise your child brushing their teeth until they are around eight years old to ensure they are not swallowing any toothpaste.
When To Take Them to the Dentist
It has been recommended that a child should visit the dentist once they are one year old. However, you will want to research the best dentist for kids before taking them in to guarantee you will get the best advice. At their first appointment, the dentist will most likely go over how to properly brush and floss your child’s teeth and do a short exam while you hold your child.
Taking your child to the dentist early on in their lives is also important because it helps to alleviate any future fears of the dentist as they get older. It can also help in the future if your child needs braces. Their dentist can recommend an orthodontist that will correct their teeth.
Your dentist will also be able to help teach you how to prevent the risk of cavities in your child and give you tools or advice on how to ensure your child’s teeth remain healthy and strong.
