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Learn About Your Child’s Teeth from an Expert in Family Dental in Houston, TX

Author: Complete Dental
by Complete Dental
Posted: Jul 17, 2018

Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents eat a high amount of sugar and do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. You can help your baby and young child by starting them off down the path of oral health early. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Know what to do when the first teeth arrive. Your child’s first primary, or "baby," teeth will begin to break through the gums between the ages of six and 12 months, and will continue to erupt until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, you can soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth.
  2. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment with an office that specializes in family dentistry in Houston, TX. Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Children are scared of the unknown, which is why introducing them to the dentist early help them feel calm and relaxed while they are there.
  3. Begin brushing early. Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two years old, do not use fluoride toothpaste and teach them to spit it out, not swallow.
  4. Adopt healthy oral hygiene habits now. As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes after drinking juice or eating a meal. Some dental experts recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. Go over proper tooth brushing procedures with your child. Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your dentist will discuss the right time for your child to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

#5 Begin the regular routine of visiting a dentist twice a year. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. Your child should visit a clinic for family dentistry in Houston, TX every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. This habit will last them a lifetime!

Make an appointment for your child today, even if you previously thought they were too young to see the dentist. You are never too young to start a healthy routine!

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Author: Complete Dental

Complete Dental

Member since: Jul 17, 2018
Published articles: 2

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