Here at Stretford Road Dental Practice, we put a lot of emphasis on achieving and maintaining oral health and offer a variety of solutions to help with this. As a dentist in Urmston, we are keen to encourage parents to safeguard their children’s teeth and gums from the outset. This means that they are more likely to have better general health and to enjoy feeling good about their smile as adults. This guide outlines what steps can be taken to ensure that the teeth are well cared for.
Start cleaning early
Many people mistakenly believe that it is not necessary for babies to have any kind of teeth brushing schedule. However, even if the child has only one tooth, it is a great idea to get into a cleaning routine as early as possible.
Establishing an early cleaning routine has two benefits. Firstly, the first tooth or teeth are kept plaque and debris free, which means the infant is unlikely to run into dental issues at a young age. Secondly, if the child has been having their teeth cleaned for as long as they can remember, then they are much more likely to be accepting of the routine rather than having tantrums about it or simply refusing to brush.
Take care with milk consumption
As a dentist in Urmston, we sometimes see young children who have developed cavities due to having milk after brushing their teeth. Drinking milk is important for the formation of healthy teeth due to its calcium content. However, this should be done before teeth cleaning. This is because milk that is allowed to cling to the teeth during a night’s sleep can cause damage to the teeth and sometimes result in cavities.
Early visits to the dentist
It is recommended to take children for their first check-up with our dentist in Urmston at around one year old. At this stage, they may not have all their teeth and the check-up is usually quite basic. However, its importance lies in the idea of getting the child used to going to the dentist. The aim is to ensure that they see it as something that is routine and normal, and nothing that should involve any stress or worry. Regular check-ups also help make this routine something that is continued into adulthood as an important and necessary part of enjoying good health.
Parents set a good example
Parents should let their children see them brushing their teeth regularly, as well as allowing them to accompany them on visits to the dentist. This helps to show children that this is behaviour that they should emulate, and they will remember that as they progress into adulthood.
Encourage water consumption
It is easy to give into a child’s plaintive cry for juice or fizzy drinks, but this is not helpful for maintaining good oral health. Sugary or fizzy drinks should be used as an occasional treat rather than an everyday staple. Most tap water contains fluoride, which helps to protect the enamel of the teeth rather than erode it as other drinks can. Therefore, children should be encouraged to have water as their main drink throughout the day.