June 2023 – Credence Dental

Complete Guide to Children’s Dental Health: Tips for Every Stage of Development

June 30, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Caring for children’s dental health is crucial for their overall well-being. From infancy to adolescence, establishing good oral hygiene practices lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. In this article, Credence Dental provides valuable tips and guidelines to ensure optimal dental care at different stages of your child’s development.

Infancy (0-2 years):

It may surprise you, but dental care actually begins before a baby’s first tooth erupts. Starting with gentle oral care habits during infancy can promote good oral health as they grow. Here are some tips for caring for your baby’s dental health during this stage:

Clean gums: Before teeth erupt, wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings to remove any residual milk or formula.
Start brushing when teeth appear: Once the first tooth emerges, start brushing it gently with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush. Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle: Prolonged exposure to sugary liquids can lead to tooth decay, so avoid putting your baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice.

Toddlerhood (2-5 years):

During this stage, Children’s teeth continue to develop and baby teeth start to fall out. It is crucial to establish good oral hygiene practices to prevent cavities and promote healthy oral habits. Here are some tips for dental care during toddlerhood:

Brush twice daily: Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice a day using a small amount (pea-sized) of fluoride toothpaste. Assist them until they can brush effectively on their own, usually around age 6 or 7.
Supervise brushing: Monitor your child while they brush to ensure they reach all areas of their mouth and brush for the recommended two minutes.
Introduce flossing: When two teeth are touching, start flossing between them to remove food particles and prevent cavities.

Limit sugary snacks and drinks: Minimize your child’s intake of sugary snacks and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay. Encourage water as the primary beverage.

Childhood (6-12 years):

As children enter the school-age years, they start to gain independence in their daily routines. Reinforcing good dental habits during this stage is crucial as they continue to develop their permanent teeth. Here are some tips for dental care during childhood:

Maintain regular dental check-ups: Schedule dental check-ups every six months to monitor tooth development, identify any potential issues, and receive professional cleanings.
Encourage a balanced diet: Provide a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich foods. Limit sugary snacks and drinks to prevent cavities.
Monitor oral habits: Keep an eye on any thumb-sucking, lip-biting, or tongue-thrusting habits that may impact dental health. Consult your dentist if any of these habits persist beyond age 5.

Adolescence (12-18 years):

Teenagers experience significant changes in their bodies, including their oral health. Oral hygiene practices should be reinforced, along with the identification and management of potential orthodontic issues. Here are some tips for dental care during adolescence:

Emphasize oral hygiene: Encourage your teenager to brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss daily. Proper oral hygiene is crucial during this stage as permanent teeth continue to develop.
Watch for orthodontic concerns: Monitor your teenager’s dental alignment and growth. Consult an orthodontist for an evaluation if you notice any orthodontic concerns like misalignment or overcrowding.
Promote healthy habits: Encourage your teenager to make healthy lifestyle choices, including avoiding tobacco, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and staying properly hydrated.

In conclusion, caring for children’s dental health from infancy to adolescence is a continuous process that requires age-appropriate practices and guidance. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early on, parents can help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums for a lifetime. Regular dental check-ups, a healthy diet, and avoidance of harmful oral habits contribute to optimal dental care throughout childhood and into adolescence.

Book an appointment today if you are facing an issue with your children’s dental health

Visit Credence Dental today to get more information on Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

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Pediatric Dentistry

What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay and How Do I Prevent it?

June 15, 2023 dev.abrar No Comments

Often heard of a term called baby bottle tooth decay by your dentist? Yes it’s a very common form of tooth decay which occurs in children. This develops when baby teeth have frequent and prolonged contact with lots of sugar. This is commonly seen in babies who are put to bed with a milk bottle, when a bottle is used as a pacifier or if the baby is using a bottle or sippy cup for an extended period of time. Milk also contains natural sweetness and if this stays on teeth for long period of time, bacteria start to grow , multiply and produce acid leading to cavitation in teeth

Signs and Symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay

Decay caused by baby bottle tooth decay can generally form in any of baby teeth, but they might commonly occur on upper front teeth. These can be seen as uncharacteristic white, brown or dark brown spots on teeth. Teeth are prone to breakage and they chip off easily leading to unpleasing smile

Detriments Of Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Decay in infants can become a point of concern as if it’s left untreated, there can occur pain and infection. There can occur tooth loss or irregular space between teeth as teeth are brittle and easily chip off. This can lead to deficient eating habits, speech problems and can also harm the permanent tooth bud present inside. Overall dental pain, misaligned teeth, pain on chewing, serious infections are all the potential complications which can occur because of baby bottle tooth decay. If the infection is severe enough, there are high chances dentist might have to remove baby teeth prematurely which is generally not recommended

Can Sippy Cups Hurt My Child’s Teeth?

Yes, similar to baby bottles, sippy cups are also responsible for tooth decay. This is to be noted when your child is making a switch from bottle to sippy cup around 1 year of age. Always try for a spill proof cup with a spout which resembles a bottle which can be easily used by the little ones. If this doesn’t work try an alternative, but never give up.

Consequences of baby bottle tooth decay

If you see any sign of tooth decay in your child, contact your nearest dentist soon. If these decay are left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, poor eating habits, speech problems, crowding in teeth and even damage to the permanent teeth. The worst and the last resort in such cases is to remove these teeth at an early age

Ways to prevent baby bottle tooth decay

Never share saliva with your baby by sharing feeding spoons or licking the pacifiers
If you are giving a bottle to the child, fill it with only breast milk or formula milk.
Never put your child to sleep with a bottle of milk or juice. The sugar present in the liquid will remain on the child’s teeth for hours.
If your child is using a pacifier, provide a clean pacifier. Also don’t dip it in honey or sugar
Wipe the child’s teeth with clean gauze or wash the child’s mouth after feeding. The gum pads need to be clean always
Avoid filling of bottle with any form of sugary drinks or soft drinks
Never let the child walk around with bottle of juice or milk
Begin brushing a child’s teeth as soon as they grow. Initially use a child size toothbrush and small amount of fluoride toothpaste until age of 3 years
Encourage children on healthy eating habits and limit the sugar intake
The bottle can be filled with water or the milk can be diluted and lately the dosage of milk can be tapered
Schedule regular dental visit by your child’s first birthday

How do I know when to take my child to the dentist?

Regular dental visits are generally recommended by a child’s first birthday or when the first tooth can be seen in the oral cavity. If your child’s teeth begin to appear uncharacteristically white, yellow or brown or your child is experiencing pain, they may be facing symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay. Your pediatric dentist can provide you a definite treatment depending on the severity.

Book an appointment today if you are suffering from Tooth Decay and How Do I Prevent!

Visit Credence Dental today to get more information on Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Our dentist provides the best dental consultation, Book an appointment today