Did you know that your child should be visiting the dentist just as often as you do? The American Dental Association recommends that children begin seeing the dentist around age one after their first teeth arrive. This might seem early; however, it helps your child to acclimate and begin feeling comfortable at the dentist early on. It also allows your dentist to begin monitoring their oral health and development.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Many parents feel that baby teeth are not essential to care for since they will be falling out in a few years anyway. This couldn't be further from the truth! Baby teeth have some critical jobs to do including:
- Holding space for adult teeth that will be arriving in a few years
- Helping your child learn to talk
- Guiding adult teeth into the right position
- Assisting your child in navigating their first solid foods
Taking good care of your child's baby teeth sets them up for healthy habits in the future.
How to Care For Baby Teeth and Beyond
Before your child's first teeth arrive, you should be cleaning their gums daily with a warm wet washcloth. This helps to remove any excess bacteria that may be lingering after feedings.
When their first teeth arrive, brush them daily with a soft bristle brush. You can use a toothpaste designed for babies that is safe for them to swallow.
As your child gets older, you can incorporate fluoridated toothpaste into their brushing routine when they learn to spit. This is typically around the age of three or four years old. They will still need your assistance with brush and flossing until around the age of seven or eight years old. After that, you should continue to monitor their brushing habits from time to time to ensure they are brushing for the full two minutes and flossing at least once per day.
If you are looking for a dentist in Prosper to help take care of your child's oral health, look no further than Dr. Vimal Patel at Prosper Smiles Family Dentistry. Dr. Patel loves building relationships with children and teaching them about their oral health. Give us a call today!