National Children’s Dental Health Month – Tiny Teeth

National Children’s Dental Health Month – Tiny Teeth

by | Feb 2, 2021 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Oral Health, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT

First Tooth – First Birthday

Often times, parents wonder when they should start taking their child to the dentist. It is in fact sooner than you may think! You cannot be too early to start your child with their oral hygiene care routine. The American Association of Pediatric Dentists recommends that parents establish a dental home for their child by the time the first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. The dentist can examine your child’s teeth and ensure there are no concerns early on.

 

Why are Baby Teeth Important if They’re Just Going to Fall Out?

Indeed, the baby teeth or primary teeth are going to be lost. Parents ask, “So then why is it so important to take my 1 year old to the dentist?” Baby teeth are so important because they are replaced by permanent teeth. This is why it is crucial to maintain the health of the baby teeth so they are able to save space for the teeth replacing them. Poor oral hygiene such as not brushing or not using fluoridated toothpaste sufficiently can lead to decay in teeth which can potentially give rise to infections or even spread to new adult teeth which are erupting just below.

A common oral health risk for infants is the baby bottle. When your child consumes sugary liquid, the bacteria in their mouth start to flourish and cause decay which can break down their teeth. To avoid this, as a safer option you may give them a bottle of water before they sleep or you may use a wet washcloth to wipe their gums and teeth if they must absolutely have milk at night.

 

Oral Health Tips You Need to Know

We recommend the following tips to ensure that your child is on their way to a healthy mouth and healthy life:

  • Visit the dentist routinely at least every 6 months
  • Use about a grain size of fluoridated toothpaste for baby teeth as teeth start to erupt. For kids ages 2-6, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste and ensure that they are not swallowing it
  • Lay your child down facing away from you with their head between your legs and begin flossing as early as their teeth begin to touch
  • Use a damp washcloth to wipe teeth and gums after any food or drink for infants
  • Avoid an excess of sugary drinks or snacks between meals because this can increase the chances of cavities forming
  • Keep them hydrated – water not only helps to rinse away sugars that can cause cavities, but also provides a natural source of fluoride for their teeth!

Tiny teeth are just as important as big teeth. Contact Roseman Dental today if your little one is in need of a dentist.

Nevada Location
Utah Location

Article by Tanisha Khurana

Tanisha Khurana - DMD Candidate Class of 2023, Roseman University College of Dental Medicine, ASDA Chapter Fundraising Chair, Pediatric Club Outreach Coordinator

Tanisha Khurana
DMD Candidate Class of 2023
Roseman University College of Dental Medicine
ASDA Chapter Fundraising Chair
Pediatric Club Outreach Coordinator

Tips to Help Your Kids Maintain Good Oral Health

Tips to Help Your Kids Maintain Good Oral Health

by | Feb 1, 2021 | Dental 360, Dental Clinic Blog, Roseman Dental - NV, Roseman Dental - UT

Good habits are easiest taught at a young age. Oral health plays an intricate part in your child’s overall health, so of all habits to start young, good oral health habits should be at the top of the list. Poor oral health causes kids to miss over 51 million hours of class each year. February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and Gum Disease Awareness Month, so it’s a perfect opportunity to start teaching your children about the importance of good oral health. Good oral health is also critical in building positive self-image and confidence within children. We understand that trying to teach your child any habit can be difficult, but if you make oral health fun it can make creating those habits a lot easier. Here are some helpful tips to help start oral health habits with your children.

 

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

It’s important to let your children help choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste. When you’re at the store or ordering online let them pick the toothbrush that is their favorite color or the one that has their favorite Disney character. Also let them pick a toothpaste that is their favorite flavor. If they pick their toothbrush and toothpaste, they are more likely to want to brush their teeth every morning and night

 

Family Time

Make oral health habits a family affair, brush and floss your teeth together. Kids are known to copy what their parents do, so if you have a positive attitude about oral health and brush and floss your teeth with proper technique, your children are likely to mimic you.

 

Books

There are a lot of good books out there that teach about oral health and the dentist. Stories designed for children are great for teaching them how to take care of their teeth and for making oral health something that they can relate to. Here are few good ones that are fun to read with your children before bedtime.

 

 

Music

When it’s time for your children to brush their teeth, you can start a sand timer or regular timer or even better, play their favorite song that runs for two minutes. Playing their favorite song or one they really like helps keep them focused on the song, not the two minutes that they need to be brushing their teeth.

 

Videos

There are a lot of good YouTube videos out there that you can watch with your children that teach about oral health. Here is a fun video by the Native American ToothFairy.

 

Post Dental Visit

After your children visit the dentist, it’s okay to reward them for their hard work and for their good oral health. It’s important to note that it’s not good to reward them with sugary food that can damage their teeth. Instead offer your children something healthy or a toy. Or even better, take them to do a fun activity. Maybe visit their favorite park or watch their favorite movie when you get home.

 

Don’t Give Up

It’s important to keep practicing oral health habits with your children even though it can be a challenge. If you can get your children excited about daily dental hygiene, they will be able to create a habit that will stay with them as they get older. We know the topic of oral health isn’t that intriguing to children, but you can make it fun so that they don’t dread brushing and flossing their teeth or visiting the dentist.

Roseman Dental is here to help keep the tiny teeth in your family in tip-top shape. Contact us today to schedule your child’s semi-annual exam.

Utah Location
Nevada Location