Teeth care for children

Teeth begin forming under the gums before birth. Pregnant women who eat a balanced diet help their unborn children take the first step toward good dental health. The first teeth usually start coming in when a child is between 5 and 9 months old. By about 2 ½ years old, your child will probably have all 20 primary teeth, or baby teeth. Baby teeth are important. They preserve space for the permanent teeth and help your child chew food and speak clearly.

These first teeth need daily cleaning to remove plaque, a sticky substance that begins to form on teeth as soon as they come in. Bacteria in the plaque feed on sugars and produce acids, which eat away at the teeth and irritate the gums. Babies and young children who take bottles to bed should be given water instead of formula, milk, juice or other sweetened liquids. The sugars can cause tooth decay. Thumb sucking is harmless for a baby or child up to age 4.

While your child is too young to brush, you can gently rub the teeth with a piece of clean gauze or a damp cloth to remove plaque. As more baby teeth come in, brush them twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush and warm water. Start teaching your child how to brush his or her own teeth by age 2 or 3 and begin using fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride, which may be added to drinking water in varying amounts, is absorbed by the tooth enamel and helps prevent decay.

A pea-sized dab of toothpaste is enough; too much fluoride can result in white mottling of the teeth. Encourage and assist your child with regular brushing and flossing to ensure effective cleaning until he or she is old enough to manage alone. This will not only help prevent tooth decay, but also help your child develop good oral hygiene habits.

Replace the toothbrush about every three months. Begin flossing your child's teeth when the permanent ones start coming in. Provide your child with a well-balanced diet. Limit sweets such as candy because the sugar promotes tooth decay.

Your child's healthcare provider can check for any dental problems during regular checkups. Pediatric dentists suggest bringing your child in for a first visit around 1 year of age. Regular dental checkups should start around age 3. Your child's dentist will advise you if your child needs to see an orthodontist to correct crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth.

Dental damage and injuries are common in active children. Taking your child to the dentist right away any time a tooth is injured can help prevent tooth loss. Damage under the gums may not be visible. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, rinse it in cool water and put it in some milk. Take it and your child to the dentist immediately. If the accident occurs after hours, call the dentist's emergency number.