A Pediatric Dentist Details Proper Oral Hygiene

Pediatric Dentist Port Charlotte, FL

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health issues experienced by children. A pediatric dentist can help your child develop a proper oral hygiene routine that may prevent serious consequences, such as problems with speaking, eating, learning, and playing.

Pediatric oral hygiene

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20% of children have a decayed tooth. Seeing a pediatric dentist for fluoride varnish and dental sealant treatments can help prevent cavities. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits can further reduce the incidence of tooth decay.

Babies

According to the CDC, 80% of children in the United States start brushing later than recommended. Begin brushing your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges. Cleaning your baby's gums before the eruption of teeth can also improve oral health by reducing bacteria and sugars in the mouth. Begin a proper oral hygiene route for your infant early in life:

  • Wipe gums with a clean, soft cloth after your first feeding and before bed
  • When teeth emerge, discuss using a fluoride varnish with your pediatric dentist
  • Brush teeth two times per day with a small-bristled, soft toothbrush and plain water
  • Schedule babies first visit with a pediatric dentist by their first birthday
  • Talk to your dentist or doctor before using fluoride toothpaste with a child under the age of two
  • Children age two to three may use an amount of fluoride toothpaste equivalent to the size of a grain of rice

Children

Between the ages of three and six, you can begin using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Ingesting excessive amounts of toothpaste can cause fluorosis, which may lead to deposits in the teeth that can cause pits and discoloration. Children may swallow toothpaste, so avoid using too much.

Children should brush twice per day with fluoride toothpaste. Encourage your child to drink tap water that contains fluoride. Talk to your pediatric dentist about applying dental sealants. For children under the age of six, observe them while they brush. Ensure that they do not use more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and instruct them to spit the toothpaste out instead of swallowing it. Assist your children with brushing until they have mastered the skill.

You can find out if your community's tap water contains fluoride by visiting the CDC's My Water's Fluoride website. You may also contact your water utility company to ask for a copy of its most recent consumer confidence report to check the amount of fluoride in your tap water. If your tap water contains less than 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter, talk to your doctor or dentist about supplemental fluoride treatments.

Pregnant people

People who are pregnant are more susceptible to cavities and gum disease, which can impact their baby's health. To protect your teeth while pregnant, visit a dentist before you give birth. Brush your teeth two times per day. Floss once per day.

If you experience morning sickness or vomiting at other times during your pregnancy, mix one teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water and use it to rinse your mouth. Rinsing after vomiting washes away stomach acid, which protects your tooth enamel.

Risk factors for pediatric cavities

According to the CDC, poor oral health in children is associated with lower grades in school, difficulty with social relationships, and other difficulties that continue into their adult lives. Oral disease in children is often preventable.

Children have a higher risk of experiencing cavities when family members have had cavities. Children who have special health care needs or wear orthodontics, braces, or oral appliances are also at higher risk of developing cavities. If your child has any of these risk factors, talk to your pediatric dentist about additional steps you can take to improve your child's oral health.

Additionally, certain behaviors put children at a higher risk of developing cavities. Allowing your baby to fall asleep while nursing a bottle can increase risk because it traps liquids with sugar in the mouth. Toddlers who walk around with a sippy cup or bottle that contains juice, milk, or soda are at a higher risk of tooth decay. Kids of all ages who do not eat a healthy diet or consume large amounts of food and drink that contains sugar tend to have more cavities.

Conclusion

The job of protecting your child's oral health begins during pregnancy. Establishing proper oral hygiene early helps prevent problems and increases the chance that children will continue to practice proper oral hygiene into adulthood.

Request an appointment here: https://dragonflydentalportcharlotte.com or call Dragonfly Dental of Port Charlotte at (941) 676-9225 for an appointment in our Port Charlotte office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Google: Pediatric Dentist in Port Charlotte, FL.

Related Posts

When Is A Baby Dental Crown Recommended By A Pediatric Dentist?

A baby dental crown is a cap for a child’s tooth. It is cemented to the tooth to restore it to its original function and shape. A crown might be recommended by a dentist when the tooth needs to be restored and repaired. This might be the case if the tooth has one or more…

No One Is Immune To Dental Infection

Young children are going to need a little extra help with their dental care. Don't let them slack off.As a pediatric dentist, we specialize in treating children and infants in need of dental care. By scheduling a dental checkup when the child's first baby tooth emerges, you are investing in their lifelong oral health. While…

Don't Let A Child Grow Up With Unhealthy Teeth

Children, even in the infant stages, are susceptible to infection and other dental issues.Are you wondering when your child needs to start seeing a dentist on a regular basis? Unsure of what type of toothbrush will work best for your child's teeth? As a pediatric dentist, we can help provide the treatment your child needs,…

What To Expect During A Child's Visit To A Pediatric Dentist

Children require special handling, especially when it comes to something new, such as visiting a pediatric dentist. It is good to understand what goes on at a regular pediatric checkup from the first visit to follow-up appointments in order to help calm children and set their expectations.A dental such as like pediatrics indicates that a…