“NO CHILD IS TOO YOUNG FOR DENTAL HEALTH”

-DR ROSS WEZMAR

Healthy teeth are important to your child's overall health.It is recommended that dental visit should occur within 6 months after presence of 1st teeth in mouth. Total care begins with regular hygiene visits,regular check –ups and continued home oral routines.

Baby teeth matter

  • Nutrition –help children chew food easily and properly.
  • Speech development-help children speak more quickly and clearly.
  • Self esteem development-help children build confidence.
  • Guidance for eruption of permanent teeth-hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums.
  • Lifetime healthy smiles-set stage for a lifetime healthy smiles.

Tooth Brushing

Begin pre-teeth care: Start an oral hygiene routine even before eruption of teeth begin.Clean gums with a soft wet gauze pad that has been wrapped around your finger.Gently wipe the gums to help remove bacteria and clean the gums.Begin doing this step atleast once per day from as early as 2 months of age.

  1. Baby: use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles .use a rice- grain size smear of fluoride toothpaste.
  2. Toddler: for children aged 3 years and above use a pea sized amount of at atleast 1000-1500 ppm fluoride toothpaste.Use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristle.
  3. Pre –school: use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.Use a toothpaste with at least 1000-1500 ppm fluoride content.Assist tooth brushing until 7 years of age.

Tips-

  • For babies,you should clean teeth with a soft clean cloth or baby’s toothbrush.
  • Avoid putting baby to bed with bottle.
  • Start using fluoridated toothpaste at 2 years of age.
  • Provide healthy food and limit snacks and drinks.