Teeth are a lifetime investment which is why childhood oral care is so very important. Even an infant will need some means of keeping their teeth clean or the sugars in the milk they drink can cause early tooth decay. In these cases a parent can help by cleaning the child’s teeth after each feeding. If you are unsure about cleaning procedures for an infant or toddler be sure to discuss your concerns with a child’s dentist in Omaha NE. An experienced child’s dentist can give pointers and tips for best practices for cleaning and protecting the teeth as well as teaching your child how to clean them themselves when they are old enough.
A child’s first set of teeth begin to erupt about the age of six months and can last until they are three years old or longer. This is a very sensitive time for children because the erupting teeth will make the gum sore. It is also a bad time for the child’s first teeth because people will do just about anything to calm an ailing toddler. Unfortunately, some of the things they give them such as teething cookies and candies are harmful to young teeth. It also sets a bad precedent where the child will put things in the mouth whenever they hurt.
As your child ages and begins to lose their first set of teeth their oral care is even more critical. Decay from baby teeth can actually affect new teeth eventually weakening them and making them prone to cavities. This is avoided by teaching your child how to properly brush, floss and rinse. It is also important that you check the progress of their cleaning. Most children will try and skip steps if they think they can get away with it simply because it is easier.
Once the baby teeth are gone it is time to consider aligning the adult teeth. It has been shown that aligning at an early age is the most certain way to ensure the teeth stay in place. Even then the child’s dentist in Omaha NE may need to provide additional aligners to readjust their position. It is important that the parent discuss the oral techniques with their children so they understand why they are necessary. It is also important that the parent find the best child dentist they can so the child feels comfortable during a visit.
