All About Kids Dental Care

Tooth decay or Cavities are the most common problem seen among children. Unattended cavities can be painful and infectious leading to other significant issues. This can cause difficulty in eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Poor oral healthcare can mitigate healthy child growth and, in turn, affect their academics too.

Dental care is extremely important for every individual, from infants to the elderly. In the case of children, parents need to take good care to make them learn and practice oral hygiene. The good part is cavities can be prevented by taking the necessary steps to maintain oral hygiene.

Necessary steps to attain oral hygiene:

For Infants:

• Parents are solely responsible for oral hygiene at this stage.
• Wipe your baby’s gums after feeding in the morning and at night to remove the bacteria that can cause infection. Only healthy gums will help in the growth of healthy teeth.
• When teeth start coming out, start brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and plain water. Grain-sized toothpaste can also be used while brushing.
• Get a dentist appointment before 1st birthday to identify any signs of problems in the early stage.
• Don’t keep bottles in the baby’s mouth for too long. Try to remove it as soon as they are finished drinking to prevent milk bottle tooth decay.

For kids:

• As kids grow, their hygiene should also develop. By the age of 3, kids have all their primary teeth.
• Brush at least twice a day using a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste.
• While brushing, make sure the child spits out the toothpaste.
• Brush and floss regularly and also focus on the back of the teeth while brushing.
• Visit your nearest dentistry every six months.

For preteens and teens:

• Children are more conscious about their looks at this age. So, if you teach them the importance of oral hygiene properly, they will become more responsible for their own oral health.
• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste for full two minutes to avoid cavities and make their teeth strong. This will also help them to have fresh breath and feel better about themselves.
• Flossing is also very crucial to prevent cavities by cleaning between the teeth.
• Children with braces should use a power brush and floss regularly to prevent white spots when braces come off.

Risk Factors for Cavities:

It is important to be aware of the different risk factors that cause cavities for early prevention. Some of them are:

• Family members (parents, siblings) having cavities.
• Individuals who are addicted to frequent and high consumption of sugary food items or drinks.
• Children wearing braces or other oral appliances.
• Children with special health care needs.