Our family practice prides itself in the staffs’ excellent ability to work with kids during their appointment
The Importance of Starting Dental Care at a Young Age
Starting dental care at a young age helps keep your child’s teeth healthy and free of decay and other diseases. That’s why, we, along with The Canadian Dental Association, recommend your child starts seeing a dentist during the first six months of their first tooth appearing, or by one year of age. If your child starts seeing a dentist regularly when they are young, there is a greater chance of preventing cavities, tooth decay and other dental issues in the future.
Good Dental Habits For Infants
Even as a baby without any teeth, it’s important for a parent to start cleaning their child’s mouth. This not only gets both the parent and the child into a proper oral hygiene routine, but it also ensures there is a clean environment for when the baby’s teeth appear.
To properly clean a baby’s mouth, make sure he/she is lying in a comfortable place and that you can see into their mouth. Using a soft baby brush or your finger wrapped inside a clean, damp washcloth, gently clean your baby’s gums. Do not use toothpaste until the child’s teeth appear.
Parents should be responsible for cleaning the teeth of children less than three years of age. As the child gets older, parents should watch him/her to ensure proper brushing and dental care is being completed.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste for Your Child
When choosing a toothbrush for your child, choose one that is soft with rounded bristles. Because children can be hard on toothbrushes, we recommend that they be replaced every three to four months. Once the bristles start to get bent or worn down, the brush will no longer do an effective job and the child’s gums may become affected.
Depending on what your dentist suggests for your child under three years old, the toothpaste may have fluoride present in it. Only a little bit of toothpaste is required – about the size of a grain of rice. Make sure your child does not swallow the toothpaste. If your dentist does not think that there is a risk of tooth decay development in your child under three years old, then the teeth only need to be cleaned with a toothbrush that’s been dampened with water.
For children from three to six years old, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste can be used while parents assist with brushing.
Completing Proper Brushing Techniques for Kids
When brushing a child’s teeth, the key is to be as gentle as possible. Using a circular motion, clean each tooth’s surface and point the bristles to where the teeth meet the gums. To clean the front teeth, use the front part of the toothbrush. Refrain from scrubbing; brushing a child’s teeth too hard can hurt their gums.
If you are curious about when children should start flossing, we have an excellent blog on how to best start flossing your child's teeth.
Stoney Creek Dental Provides Quality Children’s Dentistry!
Stoney Creek Dental is a family-friendly practice that has a warm, inviting environment. Our staff and pediatric dentists are well known for their ability to interact well with kids and we work hard to take the fear out of dentistry. Contact us today at 905-662-1999 or email at ask@stoneycreekdental.ca to set up an appointment for your child!