Caring for your children’s teeth will ensure they have healthy teeth and gums as they grow into adulthood. They will be forever grateful, even if they do not realize it now. Even infants need daily oral hygiene because the delicate tissues in their tiny mouths need cleaning to prevent irritation and infection. Good oral hygiene and regular visits to your family dentist should begin shortly after birth by using a soft, warm, clean cloth to gently cleanse the inside of the baby’s mouth.
Thrush is a fungal infection caused by yeast that can appear in the mouth when thumb sucking, or the use of a pacifier or bottle causes tiny invisible tears in the delicate tissue. If this yeast is not removed, it can cause a painful condition.
Signs of Thrush
• White patches on the tongue, inside of cheek and gums
• Pain on feeding
As most parents can attest to, teething can begin as early as three months old, though it is seen more commonly around six to seven months old.
Signs of Teething
• Excessive drooling
• Irritability
• Decreased appetite
• Excessive crying
• Feverish
• Changes in bowel movements
By three years of age, most children have twenty little teeth, so it is never too early to begin a regular brushing routine. A toothbrush designed for your child’s small mouth and toothpaste without fluoride should be used until your child is old enough to understand how to spit out the toothpaste and rinse. There are toothpastes available that are designed for young children that are safe to swallow, if you follow the manufacturer’s suggested use.
Allow your child to brush their teeth themselves with your supervision, twice a day. Make it a fun experience by using an egg timer set for two minutes and give them a little reward for their good job. Even though your child will lose their baby teeth, it is important to care for those teeth as if they were the permanent ones.
Please visit the website of Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands of Smiles by Sands Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today to find out what you can do to instill life-long good oral hygiene habits in your children and make a visit to the dentist a fun and interesting experience.
