Among the most common chronic childhood diseases, tooth decay is one of them. Children love to gorge on candies, chocolates, pastries and ice creams.
Too much fondness for these tasty foods creates all the oral problems. Children have different oral care requirements throughout their childhood.
As a parent, you hold the responsibility to teach your child about the value of following proper oral health and hygiene practices. It is you who should encourage good habits in your child early on.
However, if you are not well-aware of the right oral care for children at different stages of their development, how will you teach your child about it? Do not worry as in this blog post, I will discuss about kids oral health at every stage.
Take a look at the following:
Oral HealthCare at Stage 1 – 4 months to 2 years
Plaque is a soft and sticky bacteria that contain deposits accumulating on the teeth.
It causes tooth decay that is why parents must start cleaning their newborn baby’s gums after all feedings regularly.
Using a damp wash cloth is best to clean the gums. Once your child’s first tooth appears, make sure to brush your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes.
Different types of kids toothbrushes and toothpastes are available in the market. While shopping for them, you need to be careful. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a cushioned head.
The toothpaste must be non-fluoridated. Drop a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and brush your child’s teeth gently.
Ask the pediatrician when you need to take your child to visit the dentist. Many suggest to take children for a dental check up on their first birthday while some recommend visiting the dentist six months after birth to be sure about your child’s healthy tooth development.
Oral HealthCare at Stage 2 – 2 to 4 years
Between the age of two and four years, teeth continue to develop. A child’s food habits also change during this period.
So, it is important to make sure that your child brushes teeth in the morning after waking up and at night before going to bed. Fluoridated toothpaste is the best.
While your child is brushing teeth, you must be by his or her side to ensure proper way of brushing. Cavities tend to develop in the chewing and back teeth most. Focusing on these sets of molars is important when brushing.
Promote healthy eating habits in your child. Limit the consumption of sugary foods and drinks. Include lots of green vegetables and fresh fruits in meals.
Oral HealthCare at Stage 3 – 5 to 7 years
When your child reaches the age of five years or more, he or she will begin to develop their permanent teeth. Baby teeth are lost and those areas are very tender.
Choose a toothbrush which is designed to clean the tender areas of the mouth carefully. Regular dental checkups are vital to ensure there is no tooth decay and the tooth development is sound.
Supervise your child’s eating habits. Munching chips and wafers excessively is not good for overall health.
Most children lose their baby teeth between five to seven years while some lose baby teeth after at the age of eight.
Oral Health Care at Stage 4 – 8+ years
Children of eight years or above require brushing their teeth with a criss-cross bristled toothbrush designed specially to clean different-sized permanent set of molars and baby teeth.
For many children, cleaning teeth seems to be a dull activity. Try to make brushing a fun activity. Tell interesting stories related to oral health care. This is a great way to make your child understand the significance of maintaining good oral health and hygiene.