The first few years of a child’s life involve many “firsts.” Their first word, first step, first tooth — the list goes on. With every “first” comes something new that is expected of the parents. When the first tooth pokes through a baby’s gums, it’s the parents’ responsibility to begin laying the foundation for dental health. Home dental care for kids doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. The team at Cedarwood Dentistry is here to help you navigate caring for your child’s teeth, from forming early brushing habits to the controversial topic of pacifiers.
Brushing Children’s Teeth
Parents can expect their baby’s first tooth to come in at around six months of age. Minimizing the sugar in your child’s diet and not sending them to bed with anything but water in their bottle is critical. Additionally, you should begin getting your child used to a baby toothbrush at this age. To do so, you can allow your baby to lightly chew on the brush or softly brushing their teeth. This helps get the baby used to you going in their mouth with a toothbrush and makes the process fun. Keep in mind, you don’t actually have to brush their teeth at this stage. You’re simply familiarizing your baby with dental care fundamentals.
When the child is old enough to brush their teeth, establish a routine by having them brush both morning and night. In terms of toothpaste, we only recommend fluoride toothpaste after children can spit. In fact, we suggest that parents don’t use any toothpaste until the child is old enough to use and spit out the fluoride toothpaste because fluoride is toxic when swallowed in large amounts. If your child swallows fluoride toothpaste, they can develop an upset stomach. In extreme cases, they could experience fluorosis of the teeth, which is staining that doesn’t go away with simply brushing. Because non-fluoride toothpaste tastes a lot better, we don’t recommend using it so that the child doesn’t get used to the way it tastes. When your child starts using toothpaste, the quantity is only a “whisp,” or less than a pea-size.
Are Pacifiers Okay for Children?
Being anti-pacifiers is easy before you actually become a parent. If a pacifier is necessary for your child to fall asleep at night, what are you going to do? The alternative to a pacifier is that the child will likely start sucking their thumb, which is an even more difficult and unsanitary habit they will eventually need to break. Children who become dependent on sucking their thumb can stay dependent on the habit until high school.
At one year old, you should start to minimize your child’s pacifier usage, only using it when absolutely necessary. For example, if your child will not fall asleep without a pacifier, then only allow them to suck on the pacifier at nighttime. Or, if they always cry in certain situations like car rides, try to isolate their pacifier usage to those instances.
The reason why you should limit your child’s use of pacifiers is palette development. The pacifier can push on the roof of the child’s mouth and cause their teeth to flair out. You want the shape of your child’s palette to develop naturally without external factors like a pacifier.
Laying the Foundation for Your Child’s Dental Health
Developing healthy home dental care for kids begins early in their life. Of course, establishing routine dentist appointments also fosters positive oral health. Examining your child’s teeth helps us make tailored recommendations and develop baseline metrics for future evaluations. Learn about Cedarwood’s approach to pediatric dentistry, what to expect at your child’s first dentist appointment, and how at-home dental care complements routine cleanings. The winning combination of at-home dental care and regular dental appointments sets your child’s smile up for success!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we cultivate dental health through personalized care. We offer a variety of dental services, including family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and emergency care in Midlothian, Virginia. Whether you last visited the dentist six months or six years ago, we can help bring your smile to life. Schedule your dentist appointment today by calling 804-379-9375.