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Dental health
tips every new parent should know
February is National Children's Dental
Health Month. To celebrate, the Chicago Dental Society
offers tips to parents for taking care of children's
teeth—at any age! Read on for advice that will help ensure
a lifetime of healthy smiles for your child.
1. Remember, a child's dental
care begins before birth.
A child's teeth form between the third and sixth month of
pregnancy: An expectant mother must practice good health
habits to ensure proper development of her unborn child's
teeth. This means consuming plenty of calcium-rich foods
such as leafy greens, fortified cereals and dairy or soy
products.
2. Just because you can't see
your baby's teeth doesn't mean they aren't there.
At birth, your baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which
are almost completely formed in the jaw. The first four
teeth will usually erupt when the baby is between 6 months
and 1 year old, but that doesn't mean you can't do
anything in the meantime. Simply wiping a baby's gums with
a clean gauze pad after feeding will remove harmful plaque
and bacteria.
3. Take your child to the dentist
by his/her first birthday.
A dentist will check your 1 year old for decay, as well as
identify fluoride needs and address any potentially
dangerous habits such as thumb sucking.
4. Don't use toothpaste for
children under 1.
As soon as the first teeth appear, brush with a little bit
of water. After children have reached the age of 2,
toothpaste can be introduced in pea-sized amounts.
5. Teach your children the proper
brushing techniques.
Most children will be able to brush their own teeth by age
6 or 7. Select for them a brush that has soft, rounded
bristles and teach them to use only a pea-sized amount of
toothpaste. Show them how to use circular brush strokes to
reach all surfaces of teeth, and make sure they spit out
the toothpaste and rinse with water after brushing to
avoid swallowing any toothpaste.
6. Don't forget the floss!
As soon as any two teeth touch, make sure that you use
floss to clean between your child's teeth. This is the
only way to avoid decay in places where a toothbrush can't
reach.
7. Make trips to the dentist fun
for your child.
It is important for your child to have a good attitude
toward dental visits. Be positive and remind your child
that the dentist is a friendly doctor who is helping to
take care of his or her teeth. Set a good example yourself
by brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your
dentist regularly.
8. Take an active role in your
child's oral health.
You should always inform the dentist as to the status of
your child's health. Tell the dentist if your child is
ill, what medications your child may be taking and if your
child has any known drug allergies. If you don't
understand a dentist's recommendations for the treatment
of your child, ask for a more detailed explanation. Ask if
there are other treatments available for this problem and,
if so, how these other options compare cost wise. Then ask
which of these methods would be most effective in treating
the problem.
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