The habits we learn at an early age are more likely to carry on into adulthood. If children are encouraged to brush and floss daily, they will most likely carry that habit on into adulthood.
The primary teeth are also important to provide proper development for chewing and biting, speech development, and space for the larger adult dentils to erupt. Teeth that are decayed are not only unattractive; they are also painful and require treatment from a dentist.
Fears and phobias are learned early on. If a child has pleasant experiences with healthy dentils and gums, his experiences at the dental office will be enjoyable and less fearful when facing dental procedures.
Dental hygiene should begin shortly after a child is born. After every feeding a clean, warm wash cloth should be used to gently cleanse the inside of the mouth.
Thrush, a treatable fungal infection caused by Candida, often appears in areas of the mouth that may have torn tissue, caused by the constant sucking on a pacifier, bottle, or during breastfeeding. The tiny tears remain moist and, if not removed manually, the yeast may cause the painful condition.
Signs of thrush include white patches that appear to coat the tongue, inside tissue of the cheek, and gums, irregular-shaped patches that are not able to be wiped away, sticking to the tissue, and pain when feeding or using a pacifier. If left untreated, a nursing mother may develop thrush on her breast, although is not typically considered contagious.
See your doctor or dentist and he may prescribe a medication to clear up the infection. Teething can begin around 3 months old but typically begins when your child is 6 to 7 months old.
Signs of teething may include excessive drooling, irritability, biting, decrease in appetite, excessive crying, fever, or changes in bowel movements. Help ease the pain of teething by using a clean, cool washcloth to gently massage the gums.
Offer the child a cool teething ring or a teething biscuit, if that is appropriate for the age of the child. Always supervise your child when using a teething biscuit because of the potential choking hazard.
Talk to your doctor or dentist before using over-the-counter pain reducers or desensitizing gel. One in every 2,000 babies is born with one or more dentils.
This is referred to as a natal tooth. Dentils that appear in the first month of life are referred to as neonatal teeth.
The first dentils that will appear are usually the lower incisors, commonly known as the two front teeth. By the age of three, children should have their complete set of 20 "pearly whites."
When the first dentils start to appear, buy a toothbrush designed for the age of your child, usually this is indicated on the packaging, and gently cleanse the entire tooth without toothpaste. Beginning at around 18 months, you may choose to introduce a tooth cleansing paste that is safe to swallow and does not contain fluoride.
Many brands of children's toothpaste are available in your local retail store. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist to recommend a brand for you.
Different types of baby toothbrushes are on the market; choose one that is right for you and your child. Early Childhood Cavities (ECC) is a condition that affects children up to the age of three, or as long as they remain using a bottle.
Although rare, ECC may indicate the potential risk for severe tooth decay when the child develops his adult dentils. ECC is caused by sugars and carbohydrates in the child's diet or bacteria transferred from the caregiver to the child.
Prevent early childhood decay by offering a pacifier rather than a bottle during naps and bed time and speak with your dentist for advice on how to expose your child to fluoride. Fluoride is recommended by the American Dental Association to strengthen dentils, which may prevent tooth decay.
Author Resource:-
Jack Landry is a formal dental hygienist and has authored hundreds of articles relating to dental practice and procedures, including Las Vegas dentist.
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