Adults Involvement

Children are not born with the innate ability to take the best care of their teeth. They must be shown the best practices. From day one, parents and caregivers are the best teachers. Setting a child on the right path from the beginning will lead them to good dental hygiene practices for the rest of their life.

What is the best way to get involved with your child's dental care? There are many different things you can do to help. It's important to be consistent and put daily routines in place. And once your child is old enough to start taking care of their own teeth, you will slowly need to shift from teacher to cheerleader. At Dr. Beanca Chu Children's Dentistry, we are committed to educating parents and children on the best ways to take care of teeth from birth to adulthood and all stages in between. Keep reading to learn more.

Start at the Beginning

Did you know that you should start taking care of a baby's mouth even before they have teeth? That's right, good dental care begins at birth. Babies do not have much saliva in their mouths as adults do, so they need some assistance in keeping their mouths clean. After washing your hands, use a damp cloth to clean off your baby's gums, tongue, and cheeks, making sure to remove any remaining food or liquid.

All bottle parts and pacifiers should be cleaned with soap and water after use to prevent the introduction of bacteria into your little one's mouth. In a child's early days, their immune system is still developing, so for the first two to three months, all feeding equipment should be sterilized. Try to refrain from putting your baby to bed with a bottle or using a bottle as a pacifier. There are significant risks in doing do. For example, any sugars in what they are taking in will turn to acid within twenty minutes, and that can create significant problems for emerging teeth and gums.

The Early Years

Your baby's first tooth is likely to appear by the time they are around six months of age—and it's likely to be a bottom front tooth. All of their baby teeth should be in by the time they turn three. Permanent teeth begin to push out those baby teeth when a child is around six years of age, and that process continues into their teens. You should plan to take your child for their first dental visit within six months of that first tooth appearing on the scene or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.

Like most dentists, Dr. Beanca Chu will check your child's mouth for any burgeoning oral problems and can help educate you on the best ways to take care of your child's incoming teeth. Once your child has teeth coming in, you can begin to use a small, soft toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to brush their teeth. Make sure to brush the gums and the tongue along with the teeth.

The enamel on baby teeth is thinner than the enamel on adult teeth. This makes them especially susceptible to the formation of decay and cavities. Watch for white or brown spots on your baby's teeth. White spots denote an area where the enamel is breaking down, while brown spots may be the beginnings of cavities. Darker brown or black spots are cavities that are further along. If anything on your baby's new teeth seems out of place, bring it to the attention of your pediatric dentist immediately.

Toddling Along

As your child grows, they can be a more active participant in their own dental care. However, you still need to be the driver. Only you can ensure that a thorough cleaning is taking place after every meal. Until your child is three, use a soft-bristled brush and a small amount of toothpaste—a smear about the same size as a grain of rice, just as when they were an infant. By around the age of two, your child should start to learn how to spit out any leftover toothpaste in their mouth (try to avoid giving them water to swish around, as they may inadvertently swallow some toothpaste).

When your child has teeth that are touching each other—generally around age two—it's time to start flossing. Your child's teeth should be brushed for two minutes at least twice a day, with flossing done either before or after. By the time your child turns three, you can increase the amount of toothpaste on their brush to the size of a pea.

Independent Streak

As your child grows older, they may want to brush their teeth all on their own. You will want to encourage them to try while still observing their efforts and stepping in to help make sure their teeth are completely clean. Somewhere between the ages of six to nine years of age, your child should begin to have the manual dexterity to brush and floss their own teeth. It's a good idea to spot-check them as they build up to independently managing their own dental care.

Some kids are excited about the prospect of brushing and flossing and need little to no encouragement. However, many kids fight this important chore. There are many things you can do to help ensure the job gets done. Allow your child to pick out a toothbrush that's their favorite color or features their favorite superhero. Choose a flavored toothpaste to use—there's a flavor for just about every kid. Hang up a sticker reward chart and add a sticker each time they brush and floss. The rewards don't have to be expensive. Choosing an extra story at bedtime or extra time on the computer may be enticing enough. Make brushing a family affair. This allows your child to observe how you brush your teeth and it allows you to observe their progress. Put on some music and dance while you brush!

Don't Forget the Dentist

Your child should be visiting the dentist every six months, also known as preventive dentistry. This way, the dentist can check for any problem areas and track how your child's teeth are coming in. (Sticker rewards can also follow a successful dental check-up!) If you're looking for a pediatric dentist in the Huntington Beach, CA, area, check us out at Dr. Beanca Chu Children's Dentistry. We'll be happy to help you help your child develop good dental habits that will last for a lifetime. Contact us today.