HEALTHY BABY TEETH

Did You Know…?

A child’s dental care actually begins when the baby is in the mother’s womb.This makes it more important for pregnant mothers to take special care of their health.  Pregnant women should make sure they eat a well balanced diet full of nutritious foods that contain all the vitamins and minerals that their bodies may need during their pregnancy. If you are pregnant and you have any cavities or gum disease, then it’s important to get them treated as early as possible. You are still entitled to free NHS dental treatment in the UK if you are pregnant. If you are lucky enough to have a good dental insurance plan then it is likely that you have already been advised that a visit to the dental surgery during your pregnancy would be a good idea.

The Childs Developing Teeth

Your child’s first teeth usually begin to break through the gums from the age of about 6 months old.Every child is different and this age will vary - don’t worry if your child gets his or her first teeth before or after this. Every child has twenty “baby”, or “milk” teeth; the first teeth which appear between the age of six months and three years old. These first teeth are not around for long; usually children start losing his or her milk teeth between the ages of 6 and 11 years old.The molars will usually push through at around six years old. The last of a person’s permanent teeth usually come out somewhere between the ages of twelve and twenty-one.

By the time your child reaches the age of eight months or so, it should be possible for your dentist to spot any potential early problems. It may only be in the short-term, but it is still good to know of any concerns if they should arise.While they may not be medical doctors, dentists often have a wide range of knowledge and experience within the dental surgery field which help them advise on a range of related issues. Familiarisation is one of the most important reasons for taking your child with you when you visit your dentist. By taking small children with you to your own dental appointments, they will soon learn to feel comfortable at the dental surgery and trust the people there. 

When Should Your Child’s Dental Care Begin?

As a parent you should make a dentist’s appointment for your child every six months.You should be thinking proactively about dental care by the time your child turns one. From the appearance of the very first tooth, there is still a lot that parents can do. Naturally you cannot use a tooth brush on a baby’s very first teeth, nor can you use adult toothpaste either. The bristles of a toothbrush are far too hard for a small baby’s gums, and the fluoride found in adult toothpastes is not good for them. There has been a fair amount of debate surrounding fluoride toothpastes; this is sure to continue, but it is probably best to avoid it’s use while your baby is very young. At this early stage toothpaste is little more than a lubricant anyway; a soft damp cloth is the best and easiest way to clean your baby’s gums and teeth. This will be enough to remove the sugars from breast milk, formula or other drinks containing sugars. Tooth decay can start at a young age due to the sugars found in foods. The rule is simple, a gentle wipe over the teeth and gums each time after feeding and you will be doing a great job. At around two years old it is easier to introduce a low fluoride toothpaste into the cleaning regime. You can ask your dentist for advice on choosing your child’s first toothbrush and toothpaste.

Any early dental problems cause by illness, disease or developmental issues should be referred to a specialist pediatric dentist. Your pediatrician may recommend additional treatments for dental problems caused by underlying issues such as poor circulation, for example.

Helpful Tips

1. Avoid Sharing Cutlery.- It is common for parents and caregivers to often share spoons, forks, and other utensils with their babies. You may leave saliva on the spoon which may contain tooth decay bacteria. You can help prevent early childhood tooth decay by making sure that your family practices good dental health habits. If you do share a spoon with your baby or test the temperature of the bottled milk by taking a sip from the teat, wipe the teat or wipe your baby’s teeth and gums after they have have been fed. Keeping your own teeth and gums healthy reduces the risk of transferring tooth decay bacteria to your child.

2. No Bottles at Night.- While it may be tempting sometimes, be aware that putting your baby or child to bed at night with a bottle of milk or juice puts them at risk of tooth decay due to the acids present in the sugars which the drink contains. Sometime this may be less easy to achieve!

3. Happy Teeth Need a Healthy Diet. - All the nutrients needed for the development of healthy gums and strong teeth should be provided for in your child’s diet. These include fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Try to avoid too many foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates, such as pastries, white pasta, and white bread. It’s important to find the right balance, as even fruits - so important for healthy growth - contain sugars which can cause rapid tooth decay.

4. How to Clean the Teeth. - You can gently clean around the gums and first teeth with a soft cloth as soon as you see them beginning to break through.Use a very soft toothbrush and water to clean the teeth as more of them come through.

5. Fluoride Is Important For Healthy Teeth. - By the time, your baby is 1 year old, begin to use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste while brushing your child’s teeth.

6. Flossing Time - You should begin flossing your child’s teeth as soon as you notice their teeth beginning to touch each other.

7. On Their Own - Your child can learn how to brush his or her own teeth at about 3 years of age. Children should be brushing their teeth in the morning and before bedtime by 4 years old.  Even though they are brushing their teeth on their own, you should still watch them and make sure they are brushing their teeth the right way.

They are getting older and now it is the time to teach them how important it is to take care of their teeth because if they do not learn now then they never will learn the importance of good dental hygiene. Dencover dental insurance have dedicated an entire web site to helping you maintain beautiful healthy teeth and offering tips and advice on the best ways that you can insure your smile.