7 Ways to Protect Your Childs Oral Health Teach the Brush & Floss Habit Dental visits are just part of the plan, of course. Tooth brushing is also crucial from the start. A lot of people think they dont have to brush baby teeth, Largent says. If your baby has even one tooth, its time to start tooth brushing. If theres just one tooth, you can use gauze. Even before your baby has teeth, you can gently brush the gums, using water on a soft baby toothbrush, or clean them with a soft washcloth. Once there are additional teeth, Largent tells parents to buy infant toothbrushes that are very soft. Brushing should be done twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste. Flossing should begin when two teeth touch each other. Ask your dentist to show you the right flossing techniques and schedules, Largent says. Also ask for your dentists advice on when to start using mouthwash. I advise parents to wait until the child can definitely spit the mouthwash out, says Mary Hayes, DDS, a pediatric dentist in Chicago and consumer advisor for the American Dental Association. Mouthwash is a rinse and not a beverage. So how long until Junior can be responsible for brushing his own teeth? [Parents] have to clean the teeth until children are able to tie their shoes or write in cursive, says Largent. During dental visits, ask your dentist if your childs teeth need fluoride protection or a dental sealant. And remember, the most important time to brush and floss is just before bedtime. No food or drink, except water, should be permitted until the next morning. This allows clean teeth to re-mineralize during the night, from the minerals in the saliva and toothpaste.
Posted on: Sun, 01 Dec 2013 13:56:46 +0000
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