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When it comes to keeping their kids healthy, most parents are on the ball. But when it comes to keeping their teeth healthy, some parents may be dropping the ball a bit.
Taking care of a child's teeth and supervising them and instructing them in how to keep them clean and bright should start early. In fact, it should start before the teeth appear. Prevention of tooth decay and other problems should start in infants as young as 6 months.
Dr. Jessica Marn and Dr. Gretchen Henson, of the pediatric dentistry program at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn have several tips for parents to help avoid dental problems and set children on the road to good oral health:
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- Clean infants' gums with a soft cloth each feeding, and never let infants and toddlers sleep with bottles of milk or juice. Never dip a pacifier in honey or other sweeteners.
- The bacteria that cause tooth decay are contagious and easily transferred on items like spoons or pacifiers. Don't let grandparents or nannies share utensils with babies. Never lick a pacifier to clean it.
- Don't let children snack all day. Even very healthy snacks can leave residue that feeds tooth-rotting bacteria. An occasional snack should be fresh fruit or other whole foods, instead of packaged or sticky foods such as gummy candy, fruit roll-ups, or dried fruit.
- Fruit juice is as bad for teeth as soda because of its high sugar content. Get your child into the habit of drinking water.
- Brush young children's teeth twice a day using an amount of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. The age a child can start brushing themselves varies. A child who can tie their own shoelaces or make a ponytail usually has the manual dexterity required to brush their own teeth.
- Supervise younger children child as they brush to make sure they are not using too much toothpaste or swallowing toothpaste. Children should use a pea-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste on their brush.
- Children should start flossing when they have two teeth that touch.
- Schedule regular dental check-ups.
