Accidents happen, but with children, it happens quite often. It doesn’t matter if you have a baby, a toddler, or preschooler, you need to start taking care of their dental health from the very initial stage. With children, it is quite challenging to empathize over dental problems with them because, first thing, they don’t know what is happening to them, and second, they fear dental treatments.
Right from the moment a child starts teething, it is important that you look after the dental care. If overlooked, it may lead to permanent teeth damaging at the later stages. It is such an overwhelming task for the parents to prepare their children for dental check-ups. A regular dental check-up will help them to refrain from tooth decay problems, gums, and cavities problems and assist them in maintaining oral hygiene.
Having said that, there is an increasing need for finding excellent dentistry for children, which will help you in supervising their dental problems.
Are you confused when to start the dental care check-up? If yes, then here is your answer.
As mentioned earlier, from the very beginning of teething, you need to start taking care of the child’s oral health. Talking to them about dental care and check-ups frequently make them well-versed with practices of keeping the teeth healthy. It is your duty to assist the child while s/he is brushing or flossing their teeth until they are capable of doing it on their own.
Another thing that you need to take care of your child’s dental care is, to ensure that they have healthy baby teeth. We understand that most of you would question why baby teeth when they are eventually going to fall and make way for adult teeth? But let us clear the air. Avoiding teething problems can decay them, which can further be the reason for adult teeth crowding.
Hence, advise your child to brush their teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled brush. Use low-fluoride toothpaste for brushing your child’s teeth. While they do this, ensure that they at least brush for around 2 minutes. You can create some fun games or use an egg-timer, which keeps them engaged during the brushing.
It would be best if you assist your child in flossing until they are ten, and the practice of brushing and flossing should start right after their two teeth are in contact.
Regular check-ups are inevitable:
Consider dentistry for children as a regular part of their growth and routine. Right from the first tooth kicks off (maybe at 6 or 7th month), start visiting the dentist. A dentist will advise and guide you through your child’s dental journey.
Having said that, it is important for you to feed your child with a healthy and balanced diet that includes all types of vegetables, fresh fruits, cheese, meats, and minimal high-sugar foods. Familiarise them with dental problems and suggest to them the aids so that they can handle the problems without being panicked.
In the next section, we have provided some quick tips which will escort you to an easy cleaning process.
- Brush your child’s teeth twice a day in circular motions. Ensure that they brush the teeth before sleeping and after eating their food. Select a toothpaste with which they are comfortable with and also remind them to avoid swallowing the toothpaste.
- Please support your child from the very first day of their brushing until they are 7 or 8.
- Praise your child when they brush their teeth well.
- Make sure that you replace toothbrushes quarterly.
When should you visit the doctor?
A child suffers from a lot many dental problems once their teeth start growing. Oral cavity, teeth misalignments, soft palate, and many other problems can occur if oral hygiene is not maintained. You should check on the doctor when you observe the following symptoms.
- Teeth bleeding and red, swollen gums;
- Pus from the gums;
- Fusty and bad-smelling mouth;
- Loose teeth;
- Blister under the teeth.
You can check online for the nearby child dentistry available in your area. However, prepare your child well before visiting the dentist. Even if they hesitate, make them feel comfortable by talking to them about the doctors and the teeth wellness. Don’t let the child wonder negatively about their first visit to the doctor. Instead, make them prepared.
How would you make them ready for the check-up is answered in the next section?
The first and foremost thing that every parent needs to do is talk about dental visits with your child. Introduce them to the importance and benefits of brushing the teeth regularly and visiting the doctor for check-ups.
While doing this, mention how they need to take care of the teeth and tongue. Show them the pictures and videos depicting the importance of healthy teeth and good food. Once they learn about problems, it would become more comfortable for them to see a doctor.
However, you need to be more patient while dealing with your child. Don’t run over to things, instead, slowly and gradually move over to the check-up. Threats and blackmailing really don’t help; instead, it creates more fear amongst child, which will prevent them from seeing the doctor next time. Ensure that your child doesn’t have any negative attitude towards the dentist; otherwise, it would be difficult to convince them for a visit.
It is important for you to take your child to the dentist who handles children specifically. This is because a normal “adult” dental clinic might show scary dental problem pictures in the reception area or the waiting room. This may make your child uncomfortable, which further doesn’t lead to a pleasant dental experience. On the contrary, dentistry for children will have fun activities, and games which would divert the child’s mind before meeting the doctor.