Did you know that as soon as
a baby’s primary teeth break through the gums, they need attention and
care? Following, are some important
guidelines for taking care of the teeth:
Primary (baby) teeth
·
The American Dental
Association (ADA) recommends bringing your infant to the dentist soon after the
first tooth erupts, and no later than the child’s first birthday. Your dentist can check for tooth decay,
discuss other conditions and habits that may affect the teeth, as well as show
you how to clean your infant’s teeth properly.
·
Starting with the
first tooth erupting, start brushing twice a day with a toothbrush designed for
children. For children younger than 3,
only a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice is
necessary. For children 3-6 years old,
use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
·
Toothpaste containing
fluoride is important since it helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel from the
outside, and can reverse the beginnings of tooth decay. However, always encourage rinsing and
spitting the toothpaste out, since swallowing it can affect the color of the
developing permanent teeth that have not erupted yet.
Permanent (adult) teeth
·
The permanent teeth
start coming in around the age of 6 or 7, and continue into early
adulthood. Permanent teeth should be
brushed twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. A routine of flossing between the teeth once
daily with floss or an interdental cleaner is recommended.
·
Regular dental
check-ups are essential for good oral health since this allows the dentist to
identify and treat problems such as tooth decay. Professional cleanings and fluoride
applications to keep the teeth strong are also done during these check-ups.
We hope you find this
helpful. Caring for our patients’ oral health is just another example of why
Sondhi-Biggs-Hansen Orthodontics is “Smiles Above the Rest”.
