Child Oral Health Building Blocks by Bonham Sunshine Dental Center

Date: 19th August 2024

Many parents have questions about how to best care for their child’s teeth. We refer to these best practices as Oral Health Building Blocks—creating a foundation of good habits that will last your child a lifetime. Implementing some or, in the best cases, all of these practices can benefit your family’s oral wellness exponentially.

Maintaining your child’s oral health takes effort and patience. Maintaining that smile for a lifetime? Well, that is going to take a team! Fortunately, the Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center dental team is up for that task.

Child sitting on a washing machine brushing teeth with an elder sister’s guidance

Starting Healthy Habits, Early:

The best time to create awareness of the importance of oral health is from the first tooth! Even as an infant, your child can become agreeable and familiar with caring for their teeth with early exposure. As soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts into the mouth, you can practice caring for that little tooth, which includes cleaning it with a moistened washcloth or even an infant toothbrush.

It is not too early to start bringing your child to the dental office. Once the first tooth is present, call the office so we can have your little one seen. As with yourself, your child should be seen every six months in the office. We will then be able to monitor their tooth development and alert you to any issues that may crop up.

It is also advisable to demonstrate taking care of your teeth by performing your oral hygiene regimen with your child. It will take time for your child to properly perform the task independently, so why not complete it together to monitor their efforts and demonstrate your own? Your child will naturally enjoy mirroring your abilities, and you will enjoy seeing the benefits of their efforts. Ensure you emphasize the importance of brushing twice a day for at least two minutes and flossing at least once a day.

Don’t Pass the Cavity Bug:

Many parents are not aware that dental cavities are a contagious disease. Children are not born with the bacteria in their mouths to create cavities. It is passed along from parents to infants when parents clean a pacifier with their mouth, test cereal temperature first, or kiss their baby directly on the mouth. Once this bacteria has been transferred to your baby, cavities can become a real concern.

Don’t Fear Fluoride:

Compared to 100 years ago, communities have access to one of the most significant preventive weapons discovered in dentistry – Fluoride. Make sure your local water source has fluoride in it. This will help strengthen your child’s teeth while developing and protecting them from the inside out. If you have well water, or fluoride free water sources, consult with your pediatrician about fluoride supplements for your child.

Ensure that you purchase ADA-approved toothpaste and mouth rinses for your child. These products will have the highest quality fluoride which offers additional protection for those pearly whites from the outside in! Monitor your child while using fluoride to ensure it is not ingested.

Healthy Dietary Habits:

A critical component of your child’s oral health stems from their diet. From a young age, practice giving your child snacks that are low in sugar and juices that are diluted with water, and avoid soft drinks. Many hidden sugars found in grocery products today can become cavity-producing if not used sparingly.

Your child may be used to falling asleep with a bottle or a sippy cup in their mouth. Ensure your child receives only water, not milk or juice, in their cup. If your child falls asleep with a pool of milk or juice in their mouth, it will sit on their teeth overnight and create cavities over time. Even milk has naturally high amounts of sugar in it.

Regular Visits To the Dentist:

Of course, visiting the dentist has to be a vital component of any preventive oral health program! Our dental team is skilled in offering oral health education to our patient families.

In addition to seeing your dentist for an exam, your child should receive a dental cleaning, periodic radiographic images to diagnose potential cavities, and in-office fluoride treatments. Regular dental care is the cornerstone of dental success and will ensure your child is comfortable seeing the dentist from a young age, making treatment easier and minimizing dental anxiety.

Conclusion:

There are many things to remember as a parent caring for your child. Fortunately, you are not alone in caring for their teeth – your neighborhood dentist at Bonham Sunshine Dental and Implant Center is here to support you along the way!

Call us today to schedule your child’s first visit!