Preventive dental care for your children is hugely important.Dentists will encourage parents to bring their children for regular check-ups from an early age.
Check-ups from a young age will help to ensure that children won’t suffer from untreated dental decay which can have serious effects on the health of their teeth. There are numerous preventive treatments that children of any age will benefit from.
Keeping children going for regular dental appointments can encourage them to keep up with their oral hygiene routine, benefitting them for the rest of their lives. It is important to choose the correct dentist for your children’s dental needs, such as Smilecraft in Stevenage.
How to avoid tooth decay
Avoiding giving children unnecessary sugar is a good way to establish healthy eating patterns to protect a child’s teeth for life. Milk and water are the only drinks that are recommend be put into a baby’s bottle.
Ideally babies should be introduced to a feeding cup as soon as possible. Fruit juice given to children, should be diluted and given in a cup. It is recommended to restrict juices to mealtimes only. If the child tends to snack between meals it is best to avoid sweets and biscuits as much as possible.
Cleaning children’s teeth
Plaque will start to form on children’s teeth and gums as soon as the first tooth appears. So, it is very important to begin a regular tooth-brushing routine as soon as possible.
It is important to use a toothbrush that is appropriate for the child’s age and stage of tooth development. A small-headed soft toothbrush should be used as soon as the first tooth arrives. Dentists, such as Smilecraft in Stevenage recommend character toothbrushes, as they are an excellent way to make brushing fun for children.
Is fluoride important for my child’s teeth?
Fluoride is in most toothpastes but special children’s toothpastes are better for babies and infants because the amount of fluoride is controlled. It is important to have just the right amount, not too much or too little.
To avoid excess fluoride from toothpastes, children under six years should be supervised when tooth-brushing and only use a small amount of toothpaste. If you have any queries regarding fluoride it is always best to ask a dentist, such as Smilecraft in Stevenage.