There might be a temptation among some parents to neglect their children’s oral health. After all, the baby teeth are all temporary, and will fall out one by one well before the end of the elementary school years. However, that would be a mistake. If a child has poor oral health, he or she has a high risk factor in having poor oral health later in life, and the same problems that plague permanent teeth can harm baby teeth as well. Your Lake Orion family dentist, Dr. Brad Greenfield, discusses what parents can do to ensure their kids’ baby teeth are strong and healthy.
Oral Care Should Begin Early
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children have their own dentist by the age of one. But even before then, parents should take a pro-active role in their children’s oral health. Babies should have their mouths gently wiped with a soft washcloth after meals. Once teeth begin coming in, the parent should brush the new teeth twice a day, and then teach their child to brush their teeth themselves when appropriate.
Avoid Sugar and Junk Food
Once a baby is weaned, water is the best, most healthy drink he or she can consume. Many parents, however, will put fruit juice, milk, or even soda in their children’s bottles or sippy cups. While an occasional non-water drink is OK, allowing a child to consume a steady diet of sugary drinks will allow the mouth’s natural bacteria to produce plaque and might even eventually lead to tooth decay. Milk and juice contain large amounts of sugar, and can be just as destructive to teeth as soda. For the same reason, parents should make sure their children aren’t constantly snacking, and ensure they usually eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and cheese when they do snack.
