El oral health care is essential at all ages, and, like other habits, hygiene and routines begin to be acquired in childhood. These will be essential for proper health throughout life. It is very important that mothers and fathers are an example and promote good routines that prevent future oral problems.
The baby and the child must accustom him from a very young age to his oral hygiene. If before the first tooth you get used to passing a wet gauze, afterwards it will not be strange for him to brush his teeth. Then each day, at the right age, you will take on this responsibility. In addition, if you accustom them to visits to the dentist in a normal and natural way, they will not acquire possible fears.
Oral health before the first teeth
Yes, you read it right. We can have a good oral health since our baby is newborn. What's more, I would tell you that already in pregnancy you will be preparing your oral health. The pregnant with tooth decay or gum disease, can transmit bacteria to the fetus and thus cause weight problems at birth, for example. Therefore, as a future mother, this is your first commitment to the health of your child: take care of yourself.
When the baby is between 0 and 6 months, which will be the time of his first tooth, approximately, the mother has to be especially careful with cavities of the bottle. This is caused by dipping the pacifier in sugar, honey or another substance, which will promote this type of cavities.
At this stage, even if the child has no teeth, the mouth should be sanitized with a soft, damp gauze before sleeping and after each meal. There is also a kind of thimble for babies, designed to stimulate the gums when the baby teeth begin to emerge and serves, in turn, to clean the gums.
Health during the first year
The baby's oral health is strengthened the moment the first tooth comes out. These teeth must be cared for thoroughly, will mark the development of the final teeth, the alignment, the bone space and the development of the oral cavity. Remember that you should not abuse the intake of juices and sugary drinks.
Since the first milk teeth appear use a soft bristle toothbrush and keep using the damp cloth for the areas without mouthparts. It is time to withdraw the bottle or breastfeeding gradually, to avoid deformations in bone growth. Dentists say that the pacifier can be used up to two years of age.
In the first year the child's teeth should be brushed daily, with a soft brush and without using toothpaste. In some cases, the use of fluoride supplements may be advisable, but you must consult your pediatrician. For gum pain, very common at this stage, the gums can be gently rubbed with a brush or gauze to soothe the baby.
Oral care with milk teeth
Most importantly, when it comes to childhood oral health, is that from one year on, the child becomes familiar with dental hygiene habits. The best strategy is for us to brush our teeth with him or her, and explain the procedure. The first visit to the dentist should take place between a year and a half and two years.
From the age of 3, they are already capable of brushing their teeth on their own, but not doing it properly, we have to review it! You have to try to achieve an adequate brushing duration, between two and three minutes. You can use a small amount of toothpaste from 18 months. It is advisable to start brushing the tongue and for the child to learn to rinse and spit out the water.
From the age of 6, or earlier, our children will begin to lose their teeth, and replace them with permanent ones. This is not why we should turn a blind eye to oral health, you have to continue with the correct hygiene habits.