Home Care for Your Toddler’s Teeth

Your toddler’s dental care is just as important as caring for their overall health. Poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of cavities in kids. Proper dental care should start at home, and therefore we present you some effective tips to take of your toddler’s teeth at home. Here at Cline Family Dentistry, we care a great deal about making sure that your little ones get their oral health started on the right foot.

Start Dental Care as Early as Possible

Once your child’s teeth begin to show, start caring for them right away. Just because adult teeth eventually replace the first set of teeth doesn’t mean they are unimportant. Baby teeth preserve the space for permanent teeth besides helping your toddler chew and talk.

If not taken care of properly, the teeth may decay and result in gingivitis, which can undermine the proper development of permanent teeth.  Use a soft toothbrush to clean the toddler’s teeth at least twice a day.

Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

When you allow your child to use the bottle or your breast as a pacifier, you’re increasing the risk for severe tooth decay. When a baby sleeps with a sweetened liquid in his or her mouth, such as breast milk, cow’s milk, or formula, the liquid may form acid in the mouth. 

This acid can erode the tooth enamel quite quickly. This problem is known as “baby bottle tooth decay.”

Here are some tips to prevent baby bottle tooth decay:

• Wipe the baby’s teeth off after feeding
• Give the baby some water after feeding
• Avoid feeding your child during bedtime
• Avoid putting the baby to bed with a bottle in his or her mouth
• Wean your baby from the bottle or breast to a cup by the time he or she turns a year old.

Watch Your Toddler’s Diet

It’s not a good idea to feed your toddler milk or juice all the time. Your baby may crave milk or juice during bedtime, but it’s advisable to give only water at the time. Milk and juice contain a lot of sugar, which can result in the accumulation of plaque and germs that cause baby tooth decay.

It’s also worth noting that kids who consume lots of sugary foods and drinks are more prone to cavities. Therefore, avoid giving your child a lot of juice, soda, and sweetened beverages. Be sure to limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals.

Keep in mind that when baby teeth get decay, the decay is transmissible to the permanent teeth growing beneath them.

Regulate Your Toddler’s Fluoride Intake

Your baby shouldn’t use fluoride toothpaste. Nonetheless, adequate fluoride is essential for preventing tooth decay. He or she can get this fluoride from drinking tap water.

However, if your tap water isn’t fluoridated or your toddler doesn’t drink tap water, you should consult your pediatric dentist for appropriate fluoride supplements.

Discourage Thumb Sucking

Studies have found that continuous thumb sucking has a potential to cause various dental problems. One of its more severe effects is that it causes the top row of teeth to move forward, necessitating the use of braces to correct them. Pacifier use beyond age two can also have a similar effect. Discourage your child from sucking his or her thumb and discontinuing pacifier use by age two is recommended.

In Summary

As a parent, one of your roles is to ensure that your baby’s teeth remain healthy and clean. Many factors can cause tooth decay in toddlers, including poor oral hygiene, putting the child to bed with the bottle, thumb sucking, and excessive consumption of sugary drinks and snacks.

Besides taking your toddler for regular dental checkups, you should implement various at-home dental care practices as soon as your toddler’s first teeth start to show to keep your toddler’s teeth healthy.