Children's Dental and Oral Health

Oral health is an important part of overall health, and good oral health should start early for the child’s first line of defense against plaque, cavities and bad breath. From the time your child is born, you should start promoting a healthy and good oral hygiene for them.

Parents should ensure that their child’s teeth are well-developed and that they maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine as they grow. This is a continuing process to adulthood.

For babies, you should be careful in taking care of their teeth. You have to know the right way in cleaning their teeth. You can use a soft clean cloth or a ball of cotton soaked in clean water in taking out food debris or milk remnants left in their teeth’s surfaces. Check those surfaces regularly for spots or stains.  If your child’s mouth isn’t properly cleaned, they might suffer from halitosis and gum problems later on.

Tooth decay affects a lot of children mostly in this generation now that there are a lot acidic foods being advertised that easily destroy our teeth with cavities and tartar.

Untreated tooth decay causes pain and infection that may interfere in their eating, speaking, playing and learning. It might also affect their social skills as they won’t have the confidence in showing their decayed teeth to their friends or classmates.

Oral health should be instilled by the parents and must be disciplined to teach your children about dental education and awareness of oral hygiene.

You can encourage them to eat nutritious meals and limit sweet snacks and drinks. This will lower the risk of having tooth decay at a very early age.

Provide low-fat milk and dairy products but rich in calcium. It will strengthen the teeth’s surfaces as well as the enamel to prevent it from being too brittle.

Protect your child’s teeth with fluoride. Provide them toothpastes that contains fluoride. You can also opt for fluoridization with the help of your family dentist. They will you provide information which are necessary before your child undergoes such process.

Schedule regular dental check ups. A dental appointment at least twice a year will help you prevent unnecessary dental visits and additional expenses later on. It updates you on the condition of your child’s teeth as dentists routinely examine it every time you go visit them. 

Having healthy teeth allows your child to eat and chew properly. It also helps children to speak clearly and confidently show their most precious smiles.

Most importantly, it is advisable to educate your child what oral hygiene is and how it is related to their wellness. Poor oral health may affect their growth and school attendance and it also decreases their self-esteem having those black spots on their teeth which are very unsightly.