Human beings cannot survive for long without eating, an activity that is much easier to complete when you have healthy gums and teeth. To promote good health, parents should take their child to a qualified dentist regularly for a thorough oral checkup, starting around age 1, advises FamilyDoctor.org. However, proper dental hygiene requires daily attention at home also.
Significance
The primary purpose of dental hygiene is to preserve your child's natural teeth and protect them from bacteria. Plaque is an invisible, sticky layer of bacteria that clings to teeth until you remove it. Every time your child eats, the bacteria in plaque transforms the carbohydrates--sugar, for example--in beverages and foods he has consumed into acids. Tooth decay follows when the acids erode the enamel on his teeth.
Benefits
Proper dental hygiene helps children remove potentially destructive bacteria from their teeth before the bacteria produces damage. Cavities, or holes in teeth caused by decay, and gum disease, such as the inflamed gums common in gingivitis, are typical problems that result from bacteria and food particles left in the mouth. If your child does not prevent cavities and gum disease through good oral hygiene, the conditions can lead to more serious--and possibly painful--dental problems down the road, including deeper tooth decay requiring root canals or permanent tooth loss.
Infants
Parents should begin following a dental-hygiene regimen for their child before her teeth even appear, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Rubbing a clean, damp, soft cloth over your baby's gums after each feeding will help stop harmful bacteria from accumulating. You can continue using a cloth to clean her teeth after they appear, preferably before bedtime, advises the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, or NIDCR. If you prefer, use gauze or a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean your baby's first few teeth, too, states KidsHealth.
Older Children
Once your child is about 2 and most of his teeth have appeared, begin using a soft-bristled toothbrush with a pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste to clean his teeth. However, the NIDCR warns that children younger than 8 require assistance while brushing to get their teeth clean. Children should strive to brush their teeth for about three minutes after every meal and sweet item they consume, although twice a day--following breakfast and before going to bed--is acceptable, according to KidsHealth. Flossing his teeth with dental floss once a day and brushing his tongue after he finishes cleaning his teeth will improve your child's oral hygiene even more.
Warning
Fluoride is essential for stronger tooth enamel that resists acid erosion, but too much is definitely not a good thing. Younger children usually swallow most of the toothpaste when they brush their teeth, according to FamilyDoctor.org. Consuming fluoride in large amounts can permanently stain teeth. Consequently, your child should not use more than a pea-sized dab of toothpaste until she is old enough to brush her teeth correctly. The NIDCR also recommends consulting a dentist if you notice your child's teeth are discolored.
Member Comments