Beginning with the very first tooth, the importance of good dental hygiene is eminent in infants and into adolescence. Dentistry By Design, Burr Ridge stress the significance in brushing your childs teeth as early as the first tooth to prevent cavities and to instill proper brushing habits for their lifetime. If you have a baby that is teething now and ready for their first tooth to pop through, these practical tips for good dental habits will give you wonderful advice to follow. It is highly advised to brush and maintain the childs teeth up until the time when his motor skills are sharp enough to brush his teeth on his own. Around a year old is when he should see the dentist in Burr Ridge and to begin his lifelong relationship with this professional.
Dental visits will become more important around the time the child reaches a year old, but until then, it is up to the parents to properly care for their teeth and gums. It is crucial to brush the childs teeth and gums twice a day with an infant toothbrush and fluoridated types of toothpaste. If the baby only has one tooth, the toothbrush is optional and you can simply wipe the tooth with a soft piece of gauze. Even before there are any teeth present in the babys mouth, you should gently clean the gums by using a soft, lint-free washcloth. Getting all of the bacteria out of the babys mouth is the key to good dental hygiene before the teeth even begin to appear. When the child has more teeth that touch each other, that is when you should discuss flossing with your dentist and teach the child proper flossing techniques. After all, brushing and flossing go hand in hand when it comes to practical advice in maintaining a healthy mouth.
For babies that still drink from a bottle, it is one of the top suggestions that the child not be placed in bed with a bottle. Milk, formula and juice can cling to the teeth of the baby and can let bacteria invade their mouth. The bacteria are what will cause tooth decay from the acids that are produced and are left to sit on the teeth all night long. If you must put your baby in bed with a bottle, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends giving only water to soothe them to sleep. This protects your baby from the beginnings of tooth decay before they can start. Another habit that is not advisable is using the sippy cup with juice all day. Sippy cups are meant to be transitional until the child can use the regular cups. They shouldnt be used for a prolonged period or the childs teeth can be adversely affected.
If youre looking for Dentist Burr Ridge that can provide you & your family with the best dentistry services, call Dentistry By Design for initial consultation appointment today!
