Fluoride has been shown to have definite beneficial effects
on the growth of strong teeth, as it hardens tooth enamel.
Fluoride in higher doses has also been shown to be
detrimental to health in other ways. The controversy over
fluoride rages on today. You will have to make your own
decisions about the use of supplemental fluoride, as there
are compelling arguments on both sides of the controversy.
Normally, tap water in most cities contains some fluoride
supplementation. Otherwise, you could ask your doctor to
prescribe fluoride tablets for regular and daily use.
However, to avoid possibility of harmful effects do not
exceed recommended doses of fluoride.
Cavities are the most common dental problem among children.
If you allow your infant to sleep with a bottle of milk or
juice, sugar present in milk or juice can remain on the
gums and teeth for a prolonged period. This leads to
cavities. Don't allow your child to walk around all waking
hours with a bottle. Instead, teach your child to start
drinking from a cup as soon as they are able.
Additionally, if your child consumes lots of sugary foods
like candy, cookies, raisins, and many sweetened fruit
juices, there is a high risk of developing cavities. If
most of your family members suffer from cavities, your
child could also develop cavities early in life. The
tendency towards tooth decay may be hereditary, but the
actual development of cavities requires bacteria. The best
way to take good care of your child's teeth is to feed them
good nutritious non-sweetened foods and brush regularly
twice everyday, in the morning and at bedtime. Flossing
once a day is equally essential.
Caring for Your Child's Teeth - Before Birth to 6 Months
A healthy pregnancy contributes to healthy formation of
teeth in your baby. A woman should eat a nutritious and
balanced diet with lots of vitamins and minerals during her
pregnancy. She should also, undergo a thorough dental
examination and have any decayed teeth filled or oral
infections resolved. Your baby's teeth start forming from
the second trimester of pregnancy. A baby at birth has all
twenty teeth, although within the jaws beneath the gums.
After the birth of your child, in addition to a good
nutritious diet, follow simple dental habits. As mentioned
previously if bottle-feeding your child, do not put your
child to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. Sugars from
juice and milk stay for prolonged periods and cause
bacteria to develop. Remove bottle soon after feeding.
Breast-feeding to sleep does not cause any problems.
Clean your child's mouth and gums with a wet gauze after
feedings and at bedtime. If anyone in the household smokes,
you will want to keep your child away from the tobacco and
cigarette smoke. Aside from the obvious harmful medical
effects, this could cause gum inflammation.
Caring for Your Child's Teeth - 6 Months to 3 Years
Infants start the eruption of their first teeth from the
age of six months. They normally have six teeth around
their first birthday. Use a wet cloth or sponge to wipe
their gums after feedings. After the first few teeth
appear, use a soft brush and water to clean your infant's
teeth. Develop the habit of drinking from a cup around nine
months of age to discourage bottle-feeds.
Put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush to
brush your child's teeth after your child is a year-old.
Until the age of three, you should brush your child's teeth
both in the morning and at night. Teach your child not to
swallow toothpaste.
Develop good eating habits in your child by giving foods
that help in growth and development of strong gums and
teeth like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Do not
give sugary or high-carbohydrate foods like pastries,
pasta, and processed carbohydrates.
Caring for Your Child's Teeth - 3 Years to 6 Years
At three years of age, your child may be learning to talk
and starting to understand a few things. This is a good
time to teach your child good dental habits.
Teach your child to brush their teeth on their own with
your supervision. You can encourage your child to watch
other elder siblings and elders brushing their teeth to
learn the correct techniques.
Flossing is essential as soon as teeth start touching each
other. Use plastic flossing tools available in the market
to teach proper flossing habits to your child.
Infants and small children often suck their thumbs. A
four-year old normally stops thumb sucking on their own. If
not, you can take necessary guidance from your dentist to
stop this habit and avoid unnecessary orthodontic
complications.
Caring for Your Child's Teeth - 6 Years to 16 Years
From the age of six, your child starts losing all primary
teeth and permanent teeth start growing in their place. By
now, your child should be able to brush their own teeth
independently. Make your child realize importance of
brushing regularly in the morning and evening. Teach your
child to floss regularly. You can ask your dentist to guide
your child on correct technique of flossing.
Take your child to the dentist regularly. If your child
develops cavities, the dentist will suggest proper
treatment remedies. Give chewable disclosing tablets to
your child regularly to detect any plaque left on your
child's teeth after brushing. These are available at local
drugstores. They cause the plaque on the teeth to stain red
so that it can be seen.
You can discuss with your dentist if it is essential to put
dental sealants on the molar teeth of your child. Sealants
are of hard plastic. They protect chewing surfaces of your
child's teeth from decay.
Teach your child to eat nutritious food like fruits,
vegetables, and whole grains. Educate your child about ill
effects of highly processed carbohydrates and sugary foods.
This paves the way for healthy dental care in your
youngster.
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Dr. Steven J. Brazis is a practicing dentist in Sacramento,
CA. He has practiced family and cosmetic dentistry for 35
years. For more information on children's dental health get
his book at
http://www.yourchildrensteeth.com
Contact him at
http://www.toothhaven.com
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