Healthy Start to Kids’ Dental Care
Young children are more prone to tooth decay and other tooth related problems. Hence it
becomes imperative to take an extra bit of care for the toddlers. “Better care, lesser are chances of tooth decay in a child,” discusses Dr Heman Verma from Dental Stylers.
Even milk teeth in children need good care, even though they are temporary. Oral care is necessary at each stage of life, from infancy to the old age. Read on to find out the best way to manage oral health in infants.
Fussy Infants
Babies are born with their teeth, but they are hidden under their gums. They only begin to erupt after attaining six months of age. It is advisable to get in the habit of cleaning your baby’s gums, with a clean and damp cloth, soon after birth. However this may be a little fussy in the beginning, but it will be good for the long run. The teething process in a kid can be very painful. From six months of age to six years, a child fully develops milk teeth and also starts losing them until 11 years of age.
Here onwards, permanent teeth begin to appear. If proper care is not provided during the teething process, then the permanent set of teeth can be easily decayed.
Recent study of British Medical Journal reveals that passive smoking may contribute to an increased risk of tooth decay in infants, along with other oral problems like bad breath and gums.
Preventing Decay
- Ignorance on part of parents sometimes leads to dental problems in young children. A quick guide to what not to do if you have an infant at home:
- Baby bottles can cause severe damage to your child’s teeth. Avoid giving milk or fruit juices to your child in a bottle while putting him to sleep; because the sugary liquids from these drinks pool around the teeth for long periods of time, leading to cavities in the upper and lower front teeth. However, if your child needs a bottle to fall asleep, then substitute it with water.
- If your child uses a pacifier, do not dip it in honey or any sweet substance before giving it to your baby.
- You need to be gentle with your baby’s teeth and gums. Use a soft bristled baby toothbrush or finger brush when cleaning your baby’s new teeth.
- Do not introduce toothbrush until the age of two. Your child’s healthy teeth are in your hands, clean them well before and after every feed.
About the Author: He is a Surgeon, Orthodontist & Implantologist who spearheads Dental Stylers, one of the most premium dental centres of Northern India; with comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation and anaesthesia techniques.
This piece was first published in the print version of SUBURB February 2020 issue.