Dental Care Of The Child

Dental care of the child focuses on prevention and detection ofany dental problems. It includes education about oral hygiene, preventivemeasures, and treatment of any problems.

What is the information for this topic?

Regular brushing and flossing by children can reduce or eliminate plaque, abacteria-rich deposit that settles on the teeth. Through regular teethcleaning, the dentist or hygienist can remove the remnants of plaque missedthrough brushing and flossing. These plaque remnants adhere to the teeth astartar or calculus. Special tools may be needed to remove plaque around dentalwork or other areas of the mouth that are hard to clean.

Proper dental hygiene that removes bacterial residue will keep breath fresh.Periodic examinations and dentalX-rays are also important. These X-rays can spot dental disease atan early stage when it is easily treated.

A child’s first visit to the dentist should occur when the first few baby teethappear. This is usually around 6 months of age and the first visit should be aget-acquainted visit. After most of the baby teeth have come in at about 3years of age, the child should begin regular dental visits. Most children whogo to the dentist at this young age do not develop a fear of the dentist. Thedentist will show the parent home methods to care for the very small child’steeth.

Specific advice regarding the care of children’s teeth may include thefollowing:

Don’t let a child go to bed with a bottle. Sugars from milk and juice cancause baby bottle toothdecay.

Discourage sweet snacks that contain tooth-damaging sugars.

Discuss the need for fluoride supplements. This will vary depending on the local watersupply, which may already contain fluoride.

Follow sports safety guidelines forchildren to avoid injuries to the teeth.

Have an adult dispense the child’s toothpaste when the child is very youngso that the child does not swallow too much toothpaste.

Teach the child how to brush his or her teeth and gums twice a day assoon as the child can handle a child-size toothbrush.

Use a damp washcloth or soft toothbrush to gently clean baby teeth.