It’s hard to believe when you look at a child’s beautiful smile, but the most common childhood disease is tooth decay. According to the Center for Disease Control, tooth decay occurs five times more often than asthma, which is the next most common childhood disease.
Fortunately, tooth decay is easily preventable. Cavities develop when food is left on the surface of teeth. As the food ferments, it produces an ideal environment for bacterial growth. These bacteria then create acids that dissolve the surface of teeth. So the best way to prevent tooth decay is to keep teeth clean and free of bacteria.
Dental Care for Kids
Young children are much more prone to tooth decay than adults, relying as they do on parents and caregivers to provide the dental care they need — that is, until they can be taught to do it for themselves. Here are some tips for caring for your child’s teeth at every age:
Infants
Try not to let your baby fall asleep with a bottle in his mouth. Juice and milk contain sugars that, if left on the gums or teeth for prolonged periods of time, can cause a condition known as “bottle mouth.” Pitted or discolored teeth are signs that your baby might have bottle mouth.
You can provide dental care for your baby even if his teeth haven’t grown in. Simply wipe his gums with a clean, moist cloth after every meal. After a few teeth come in, brush them with a soft child's toothbrush. Also, floss your baby’s teeth once there are two teeth together.
Toddlers
When a child is 2 years old, it’s time to teach her how to use a toothbrush. She may insist on “doing it herself”, but children this age usually need help handling a toothbrush properly.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for your first teeth-brushing lesson with your toddler. Start by showing her how you brush your own teeth:
- Sit down so that you’re at her eye level.
- Put a dab of toothpaste on your own toothbrush.
- Hold the brush at an angle to your teeth.
- Gently brush your teeth on the outer and inner surfaces and the tops where you chew.
- Gently brush the top of your tongue and inside your cheeks.
- Spit out the toothpaste.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
Now let her brush her teeth with her own toothbrush. Make sure she doesn’t swallow the toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste can lead to the absorption of too much fluoride and may cause white spots to develop on her teeth.
Elementary School Kids
Supervise your child when she brushes her teeth until she’s around 8 years old, or until she has the fine motor skills to do a good job on her own. Kids are often able to brush their teeth without adult supervision at about the same time they can tie their shoes and dress themselves.
What to Expect When You Visit the Dentist
The American Dental Association recommends that children visit the dentist for the first time at their first birthday. During this visit, the dentist will show you proper brushing and flossing techniques. He’ll also perform an exam with your child sitting in your lap.
When kids are about 2 to 3 years old — or when all the “baby” teeth have come in — the dentist may apply a topical fluoride. Fluoride hardens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities.
When your child’s permanent teeth appear, your dentist may apply a thin coat of resin known as a sealant to the back teeth. This prevents decay on the molars, an area often missed by young children when they brush.
Most dentists recommend check ups every six to 12 months. Don’t wait for your next scheduled visit, however, if your child has tooth pain. Discomfort could mean a cavity needs treatment.
Every once in awhile a child may need to have a complicated dental procedure and could require general anesthesia. In such cases, make sure a trained professional, such as an anesthesiologist or oral surgeon, will be administering the anesthesia.
Orthodontics
As permanent teeth start breaking through the gums, anywhere between the ages of 6 and 12, teeth may get overcrowded and crooked. Overbites or underbites may also become noticeable at this time. These issues are corrected with orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment starts earlier now than in the past. Children as young as 7 are being outfitted with corrective appliances, since young teeth can be positioned more easily and more effectively than teenage teeth. That means relatively shorter treatment plans. Also, new plastic materials, often in bright colors, make wearing braces much more appealing to kids!
Tips for Promoting Healthy Teeth
- Model good dental care for your child. Brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly.
- Buy new toothbrushes every three months.
- Limit your child’s intake of candy, sticky foods, juice, and sweetened drinks.
- Encourage your child to drink milk and eat cheese, foods that help protect teeth from decay.
- Train your kids to rinse their mouths with water after eating.
Partner with the dentist to promote good dental hygiene for your child. By doing these simple things, you will ensure that your child’s smile is always bright and beautiful.
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