An often overlooked aspect of our health and well-being is our teeth. However, underestimating how rapidly tooth decay can take place can have disastrous health effects, culminating in infections that could affect other vital organs of our body. While dental health is crucial for adults as well as the elderly, it is even more significant for kids. One of the primary reasons oral health is important for kids is because it is at that stage where precautions can be taken to avoid dental problems in the future. Did you know that oral health is a good indicator of other underlying conditions which at times could be quite serious? For instance, having mouth ulcers is often linked with gastric problems. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child’s first visit to the doctor should be within the first six months of his or her birth.
If you’ve been confused about dental care for kids b and are looking for dental care tips for kids, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we will not only be underlining some of the major aspects of dental care for kids but will also be providing essential dental health information for parents.
Developing Good Oral Hygiene
Simply put, good oral hygiene means taking care of your teeth and mouth to prevent cavities, gum problems, and other dental issues which can be quite annoying. The best way to ensure that your little one has good oral hygiene is by inculcating good oral habits. For them to know what to do when they grow up, they must be shown. It is common for kids to copy the actions of their parents. Therefore, if a parent from a very young age cleans his or her baby’s gums and teeth, the child will become familiar with that action and it will develop into a habit. Parents can make use of infant toothbrushes or even soft cloths to clean their baby’s teeth. Once your kid’s teeth start to erupt, they should be cleaned twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
In addition to brushing their teeth, flossing must also be done. Once your kid develops proper coordination and motor skills to floss and brush their teeth by themselves, they can start doing it on their own. However, even at this stage, parents must supervise and monitor whether their kids are doing it properly or not.
Monitoring Tooth Development
Parents should closely supervise their kid’s tooth development and keep their eyes out for any possible problems. Certain dental issues like poor teeth alignment or even certain abnormalities can manifest themselves as early as this. Identifying any dental issues early on in life makes it possible to rectify such issues and address them as soon as possible. Alongside monitoring dental health, parents should also take their kids for regular check-ups to the dentist.
Common Pediatric Dental Issues
Now that you have a slightly better idea about oral hygiene in kids and know that it is vital for you to monitor their oral health, it’s time to know what to look out for. Here are some of the most common dental issues that trouble your little ones:
- Tooth decay- One of the most common dental issues that plague kids is cavities. A fun fact about cavities which you may not have known is that while sugar is responsible for them, it is mainly the bacteria that feed on the sugars in the teeth that acids are produced which erode the teeth.
- Gum problems- Two of the most common gum issues which kids face are gingivitis and periodontitis. These two problems mainly crop up when oral hygiene is not maintained. Common identifiable signs of these two gum problems include redness, swelling and even bleeding gums.
- Malocclusion- One of the major reasons contributing to the development of malocclusion is the misalignment of the teeth when they start to develop and grow. Malocclusion refers to the bite of a child being affected as a result of the misaligned teeth on the top and bottom of the jaw.
- Dental trauma- Issues arising from teeth issues because of accidents or injuries come under this category. Teeth which are broken, chipped or ripped out altogether will require immediate care under the assistance of an authorised professional like a dentist.
Dental Tips For Parents
Since you have a clearer picture of why and how dental care for kids is important, it’s time to move on to dental advice for parents so they can ensure that their kids maintain good oral health.
- Encouraging a healthy diet- Our outward appearance and health are always affected and reflected in the food we consume. Parents should promote nutritious food and inculcate good eating habits in their kids. Treats and desserts that are very sugary should be avoided as they lead to tooth decay.
- Monitoring brushing and flossing teeth- You must ensure that your child brushes and flosses his or her teeth at least twice a day. The best times for doing so are first thing in the morning and just before going to bed, after dinner.
- Regular dental visits- As parents we have the responsibility of taking care of our kids. This includes finding the time and making the effort to schedule routine and timely check-ups with the dentist. Oftentimes, something which we consider to be small and nothing could turn into something life-threatening.
- Use fluoride toothpaste- Monitoring your child’s brushing and flossing isn’t enough. You must also ensure to give them toothpaste that is fluoride-based and appropriate to the child’s age.
- Protect teeth during sporting activity- There’s no doubt that your children will enjoy playing sports on the field. However, while they do, make sure they wear a mouthguard as that can save them from a world of trouble. Mouthguards are essential when playing sports like rugby or wrestling and other sports involving a lot of rough play and body contact.
Here at EuroKids, we prioritise child health care as much as we do for their academic pursuits. Our teams of experts design a holistic curriculum that features both outdoor and indoor engaging activities to stimulate the development of cognition and motor skills. In addition to this, EuroKids provides a safe environment for your child to grow, develop and blossom into a young adult who is responsible and sees himself or herself as a future leader. We also have various informative articles on health, including dental hygiene on our blog. If you want to learn more, visit our blog or head down to our nearest centre.
