“I have a 2-year-old kid, and he hardly has one tooth. Do I need to worry about his tooth decay?” Whichever forum you visit, you will find one such similar question. Tooth decay can occur despite your child having one tooth. So, parents need to start cleaning their child’s teeth as soon as they begin teething.
Parents often make these common mistakes and wait to brush the teeth until it erupts. Another problem with parents is thinking that milking teeth is not something important. Parents might feel that it will ultimately fall off, and a new permanent tooth will start growing. However, the foundation of good oral health starts with milk teeth.
Even the decay of milk teeth in childhood might cause mental effects like loss of self-confidence or self-esteem. For example, they could be teased by the children in their school or playgroups that might lead the child to feel flustered.
Parents must ideally take their children to the dentists after 6 months of their birth. Let’s see what we have in store for the parents. Here are some of the healthy dental tips for kids that parents must abide by from the beginning.
Follow the tips mentioned below to keep your kid’s oral health in check.
Tip 1: Are the decorative toothbrushes and toothpaste good for kids?
Any toothbrush or toothpaste is good as long as the method of cleaning is correct. For the right knowledge, you might want to click here and be well-informed about this topic. It is important to reach the facade of the teeth and pay equal attention to all teeth.
The correct way of brushing teeth is to do it in an orbicular motion. Most of the children have plaque in their lower teeth. It happens as the lips stretch and contract when they brush. It does not allow the brush to clean the tooth properly.
So, one must stay conscious about the lower lip when retracted for cleaning the lower teeth. Make sure to change the toothbrush at an interval of 2 to 3 months.
Tip 2: Let the kids know the right way to brush their teeth
Do make brushing a fun time for your kids. You can also turn it into a family activity where you can brush along with your children or get a toy toothbrush for your child. Even you can create fantasy tales on chasing and capturing germs with the toothbrush.
If brushing is more about instructions, kids will find them boring. They will try to get out of it. So make brushing fun until it fits as a way of life for your child. Make sure to always brush before the mirror as it is a good habit to make them see their teeth while they brush.
Tips 3: Always keep a tap on the shape of their tooth
As a parent, you need to look out for symptoms of difficulty in your child’s teeth. Difficulties like tingling sensation while eating, stinky breath, tenuous tooth, etc., should be taken into consideration. In such instances, take them to a pediatric dentist.
Even if you find there are no symptoms, do take them to the dentist at an interval of 6 months. If you have a dilemma about whether it is good to pay a visit to a pediatric dentist at the mentioned interval, read it here https://www.quora.com/Why-should-we-visit-pediatric-dentistry-What-are-its-benefits
Tips 4: It is important to take certain precautions when your kids begin to face tooth decay
Whether your kid loses a tooth at an early age or if there is a delay, both of them require medical consideration. Visit the dentists for a checkup. They will be able to diagnose if there are any tooth decay or gum problems, or any type of alignment issues. In case a problem is detected it is easier to get them fixed at an early stage.
It is an unavoidable fact that every child does not brush very hard. So if they lose a tooth then the area turns very sensitive.
Parents should also teach their children not to pull out their shaky teeth forcefully. This might cause the roots to crack and give way for the bacteria to set and cause various infections. Parents must stay aware of the teeth extraction risks associated and be alarmed.
Tips 5: Get to know the right diet for good dental health
Well, it is important to maintain good dental health as per the age of your child. According to that, you must stay aware of the right kind of diet. However, there is no particular diet for different age groups of kids. But here are some points which the experts has shared which all parents can adopt.
- Kids, especially infants who are on the milk diet should be provided with water after they are finished with their feeding. This helps to wash away all the sticky milk sherds.
- Kids who are on solid food should try to eat less sticky food and especially the sugar-coated ones. It is good to avoid junk food. Instead, opt for a vegetables and fruits-rich diet. This will help to boost the oral health of your kids.
What is the right age for kids to lose their teeth?
A child starts to lose the tooth at the age of 6 years. All the teeth will continue to fall until the age of 12 to 13 years. There is no proper underlying problem if the teeth of a child start falling before the age of 5. It is not so common but can be considered as an exception.
Wrapping Up
Saying that, make sure you visit a dentist and keep a track of your child’s oral health. Moreover, a particular and thorough wash of the mouth is a must if they often eat food outdoors (junks especially). If they are at home, it is important that you keep telling them to brush their teeth well and at the right interval.
Keep these tips handy and find them useful or you can make a chart out of it to make it a habit for your kid. And let it act as a good reminder for you.