Four Dental Health Tips from Our Pediatric Dentistry Office
Your dental health is essential to your overall well-being. Better oral hygiene ensures a bright smile, prevents certain diseases, and helps your teeth stay healthy
April 24, 2020
A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Our children’s dentist in Springfield, MO makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment you arrive. We invite you to make an appointment with our family dentist today.
Children should see the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s new teeth (coming in at 6 and 12 months of age) receive proper children’s dental care to benefit from good oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Getting to know your teeth is fun!
Your child’s first teeth will begin to come in between 6 and 12 months, and will continue until about age 3. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, our children’s dentist recommends soothing the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. A teething ring also helps. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.
Tooth decay comes from sugar left in your mouth that turns into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay because many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing, combined with regular visits to our dentist in Springfield, MO, help prevent tooth decay.
Your child should visit a family dentist every six months for regular cleanings and checkups to keep their teeth strong. We might recommend fluoride treatments and tooth sealants to prevent decay from forming in hard-to-reach areas.
As your child’s teeth come in, look at them every two weeks for lines and discoloring that may be caused by decay. Make sure that your child brushes after feeding or eating, at least four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and at bedtime.
Brushing can be fun! When a baby’s tooth first comes in, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your child’s dentist.
Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene. Your doctor will discuss the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your child’s dentist in Springfield, Missouri.
Your dental health is essential to your overall well-being. Better oral hygiene ensures a bright smile, prevents certain diseases, and helps your teeth stay healthy
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