Richmond dentists agree that proper tooth care needs to begin with the first tooth. As soon as your child begins getting their first teeth, begin cleaning their teeth after feedings with a moist gauze pad or washcloth. When your child feels comfortable with a toothbrush, brush their teeth twice a day with an extra-soft toothbrush. Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste if your child likes toothpaste. If not, it's fine to brush without toothpaste. Gently floss your child's teeth each day, paying particular attention to areas where teeth are close together. In Richmond gentle dentistry now helps prevent the need to restore your child's smile.
Children's teeth become vulnerable to decay from the moment they break through the gums. Richmond dental professionals agree that you may not even notice the decay until it's too late to save the teeth, so it's crucial that you prevent bottle syndrome from occurring in the first place. Bottle syndrome, also known as baby bottle tooth decay, a serious condition that destroys child's teeth, occurs when teeth become exposed, at length and frequently, to liquids containing a form of sugar. All liquids that contain sugar can cause bottle syndrome, including breast and cow's milk (which contain the sugar lactose), formula, fruit juice (which contains the sugar fructose), soda and other sweetened drinks. It is caused by the constant presence of milk, formula, or fruit juice in a child's mouth during the night, during breastfeeding, during naps, or for extended periods during the day. The liquid pools around the teeth and gums, providing food for the bacteria in plaque. The bacteria produce acid as a byproduct when they consume the sugar. This acid attacks your child's teeth and causes decay.
Three Tips to reduce Bottle Syndrome:
o For long periods during the day, put only water in the bottle.
o Switch to a pacifier.
o If your local water supply doesn't contain fluoride get a prescription for fluoride supplements.
Bottle syndrome leads to painful toothaches, making it difficult for your child to eat. Left untreated, the decay caused by bottle syndrome causes infection, which may result in having to remove teeth. Baby teeth lost too early may lead to poor nutrition, speech problems, crooked teeth, and permanent damage to adult teeth. Use water at these times to prevent this severe decay of baby teeth, and always clean your child's teeth immediately after each feeding.
Use water only in bedtime bottles. Use a rounded bristled soft brush to brush your infant and toddlers teeth. Fluoride plays an important role as a preventive tool for infants. First check the fluoride level of your child's primary source of drinking water. Dentists prescribe fluoride tablets sometimes, and generally recommend fluoride toothpaste and fluoride treatments in your dentist's office after cleanings.
Children should be supervised brushing and flossing until they're seven to ten years old and proven able to effectively keep the plaque off their teeth by themselves. Then, check their efforts occasionally. It's a good idea to keep some disclosing tablets on hand. The vegetable dye in disclosing tablets stains missed plaque red and makes it much easier to see.
Children learn best by imitation, so let them watch you as you brush and floss your teeth. Regular praise of their home care efforts and a positive example will get your child started down the path of excellent oral hygiene.
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