Oral Help Tips for Children Ages 0-5

Healthy Teeth

Children’s teeth are interesting phenomena. They grow in, then they fall out. These chompers hold the key to chewing food, speaking properly, and paving the way for incoming adult teeth. The first years of oral health for your child are crucial because tooth decay is already possible during this time. This can lead to more problems later, including but not limited to:

• • • • • Ear infections
        • Sinus infections
        • Cavities
        • Gum disease

Brushing

Your child’s teeth will be exposed to the icky stuff right away. Follow these tips for everyday maintenance on your little one’s pearly whites:

• • • • • Gently clean your newborn’s gums with a damp cloth at least once daily.
        • Use a small toothbrush to brush your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears (4- 7 months of age). Your dentist may want you to use a special type of toothpaste or cleaner, so be sure to ask first.
        • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean their teeth. Be sure to brush them in a circular motion because back-and-forth movement tends to damage gums.
        • Get into every nook and cranny of those little things. Make sure to reach the areas around the gums and edges as well.
        • Once your child is between the ages of 2 and 3, you may begin to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Parental supervision is required to make sure they do not swallow even if they are trained.

Dental Visits

Bringing your child in for a dental appointment can be a daunting task. However, there is no reason why your child should be afraid. Keep it a positive experience by following these tips:

• • • • • Schedule your child’s first dental appointment when their first tooth comes in. Book appointments during a time that your little one is fully awake. This way, they won’t associate groggy feelings with the dentist’s office.
        • Smile during the visit so that they are secure and feel no reason to be afraid.
        • Assure them that the dentist’s office is no place to fear or hate. As they age, tell them about the dentist and what he/she does. Remind your child that the dentist is there to help so that they will not look at them as an enemy.

Eating and Tooth Decay

Children need a plan for keeping their teeth in tip-top condition. They also need a strategy that will help them prevent tooth decay and other conditions/diseases. Utilize these tips to make your child’s teeth the best in all of the playgrounds:

• • • • • Give your child whole milk from ages 1 to 2. Once they reach two years old, they can begin consuming reduced-fat milk.
        • Limit their intake of sugary snacks and drinks, and teach them about healthy foods early on. Giving them a grip on this will likely make eating smarter an easier task in the future.
        • Encourage toddlers to eat smart foods. Cauliflower and green beans remove plaque. Strawberries are known to whiten teeth and dissolve stains. Yogurts and slippery foods encourage saliva production, creating a car wash for their teeth.

Teething

Ah, teething, it isn’t fun for the parent or the child. Here are some of the symptoms signaling the beginning of this dreadful time period:

• • • • • Drooling
        • Crankiness/fussiness
        • Sensitivity and swelling of the gums
        • Refusing to eat, and biting off other objects
        • Sleep loss

Teething is a painful time for your child. It doesn’t have to be as bad as you think though. Use these tips to help ease their pain and keep you sane:

• • • • • Buy a teething ring. Chill it in the freezer, and give it to your child. Be sure to chill it often in order to keep their gums numb and the pain at bay.
        • Ask your doctor if your child can use a medicated teething gel.
        • If your child is older than 6 months, you can give them cold foods like chilled applesauce and yogurt.

In Conclusion

All in all, these tips will work together to keep you and your child set in the dental world. Some help and a little common sense can go a long way. Make the most out of these first five years, and carry these lessons past that!

Dr. Astghik (Stella) Sahakyan is an experienced and prominent pediatric dentist in Glendale CA. She has been maintaining children’s teeth for over five years now, in which, she provides dental care for babies from ages 1 all the way to their adolescent years.

Glendale Dentist Dr. Gurgen (George) Sahakyan, on the other hand, provides dental care for adults specializing in general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics / Invisalign.