Oral health is important from the time of infancy, so it is crucial to know the facts and get young children on the right path towards dental health. The sooner babies can learn and get into correct oral habits, the better. An infant’s teeth can be cleaned starting at birth with a soft infant toothbrush. As teeth begin to emerge, brushing twice daily is recommended. Here are four crucial facts about infant oral health.
Early Childhood Caries
Also known as baby bottle tooth decay, early childhood caries is the presence of at least one decayed, missing, or filled tooth surface in a primary tooth in an infant or child between 0 and 71 months of age. The American Dental Association urges parents and doctors to know that early childhood caries is an infectious disease that has many aspects and an infant’s teeth should be cleaned regularly, even if they are just beginning to erupt.
Gum care is important in infancy before teeth erupt. Using a soft, moistened washcloth, gently wipe and massage the baby’s gums twice a day to help eliminate bacteria that can stick to the gums. If the bacteria is left on the gums, it can create a sticky plaque that is damaging to a baby’s teeth during development. Cleaning an infant’s gums also helps them get used to the habit of oral care.
Fruit Juice Decays Infants’ Teeth
Even healthy juices are dense in sugar and can lead to tooth decay. While juice is fine in moderation, it is important to not let an infant continually use a bottle, juice box, or sippy cup throughout the day that is filled with juice. It is also important to brush the sugar off of your child’s teeth prior to bedtime.
Some better fruit options for your child are whole fruits like kiwis. Kiwis are full of Vitamin C, which prevents bacteria from gathering and building up in the gums. This will help children prevent gingivitis in the long run. A Vitamin C deficiency in the diet can lead to gums that can easily become diseased. A lack of Vitamin C greatly compromises the health of teeth and gums. Crunchy fruits, such as apples and pears, provide more oral health enhancement. These require extra chewing, which scrubs the teeth and removes plaque that naturally sticks on and around the teeth during a meal. Celery also naturally cleanses teeth. Aside from the fibrous strands that may end up acting like floss, chewing celery increases saliva production, which can neutralize cavity-causing bacteria that is in the mouth.
How to Help Teething
Between 6 months 3 years of age, children have periods of tooth eruption, which are preceded by a process called teething. Symptoms of teething may be obvious as they are not pleasant to children. They include excessive drooling, crankiness, mild sniffles, low temperature, and sore gums. Infants can be helped by sucking on a clean and chilled teething ring to help numb the discomfort. Infants also find comfort in gentle gum massages.
According to South Temple Dental, once a tooth erupts, a child should begin using a soft toothbrush rather than a damp cloth. Parents should assist their children with brushing their teeth until they are able to do a complete job on their own.
When Should an Infant See a Pediatric Dentist
Children should be seen by a professional, like this dentist in Salt Lake City, every six months. This gives the dentist time to monitor the eruption of the teeth and the oral development. A dentist can also identify problems that may be emerging while they are still reversible. Bringing babies and toddlers to the dentist more frequently also gets them accustomed to the dental office, and ready to be a full patient at the age of three.
Your children’s health is very important and while it can be overwhelming at first, oral health really is manageable. Use the four tips above and advice from your trusted dentist to help your children have better oral health.
