When
should dental care begin?
Most pediatric dentists will agree that
regular dental care should begin by one year of
age, with a dental check-up at least twice each
consecutive year for most children. Some children
may need more frequent evaluations and care. In
accordance with this recommendation, the
following dental checklist for infants and
toddlers has been provided by the American
Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:Birth to 6 months
of age:
- Clean the
infant's mouth with gauze after feedings
and at bedtime.
- Consult your
child's pediatrician regarding fluoride
supplements.
- Regulate
feeding habits (bottle feeding and
breastfeeding).
Six to 12
months of age:
- During this
time, the first tooth should appear.
Consult the pediatric dentist for an
examination.
- Brush teeth
after each feeding and at bedtime with a
small, soft-bristled brush.
- As the child
begins to walk, stay alert of potential
dental and/or facial injuries.
- Wean the
child from breast or bottle by his/her
first birthday.
Twelve to
24 months of age:
- Follow the
schedule of dental examinations and
cleanings, as recommended by your child's
pediatric dentist. Generally, dental
examinations and cleanings are
recommended every 6 months for children
and adults.
- As your child
learns to rinse his/her mouth, and as
most deciduous (baby) teeth have erupted
by this age, brushing with a pea-sized
portion of fluoridated toothpaste becomes
appropriate.
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| Thumb-Sucking
and Dental Health Generally,
thumb-sucking before the age of two is
normal and harmless. When thumb-sucking
is not stopped by the appropriate age
(generally by the age of five), than
parents should discourage the act.
Prolonged thumb-sucking may contribute to
crowded and/or crooked teeth development
and bite problems.
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Facts about
deciduous teeth:
Proper care of a child's deciduous teeth (also known as
"baby" or primary teeth) is very important as
these teeth hold space for the future eruption of
permanent teeth.
- If a baby tooth
decays or is removed too early, the space
necessary for the permanent teeth is lost and can
only be regained through orthodontic treatment.
- Infected baby teeth
can cause the permanent teeth to develop
improperly resulting in stains, pits, and weaker
teeth.
Most children begin losing
their baby teeth around the age of 4 -- usually the front
teeth first. They continue to lose baby teeth until the
age of 12 or 13 when all of the permanent teeth finally
come through.
Diet and dental
care for children:
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
recommends the following to ensure your child eats
correctly to maintain a healthy body and teeth:
- Ask your pediatric
dentist to help you assess your child's diet.
- Shop smart. Do not
routinely stock your pantry with sugary or
starchy snacks. Buy "fun foods" just
for special times.
- Limit the number of
snack times; choose nutritious snacks.
- Provide a balanced
diet, and save foods with sugar or starch for
mealtimes.
- Do not put your young
child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or
juice.
- If your child chews
gum or sips soda, choose those without sugar.
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