Although many parents don't think too much about their toddler's or preschooler's teeth, it is important to do so, because 20 percent of them develop cavities before they are 5 years old.
Simple answer: he or she is probably not, so you have to check. We really prefer parents to assist with brushing until children are 7 or 8 (when they can write in cursive legibly.)
Great question and the hardest to answer! Make it fun; make them responsible for their own dental health. Each child needs different motivation. For little ones trying out their independence, remember you�re the parent and �because I said so� is often the only reason you need to give. Try �the dentist says�� if that helps, since doctors and dentists are authority figures in their eyes.
TTF recommends getting a new toothbrush every three or four months. However, if the bristles become splayed, they no longer do the right cleaning job, so change sooner. Also, get a new brush after a cold or virus to avoid spreading those germs.
Yes. The common advice about avoiding sweets, sticky foods and between-meal snacks is good advice. Limit sweet snacks and drinks between and after meals. Have meals and snacks at regular times. Too much snacking between meals can cause cavities. Teeth-friendly snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables, and cheese and crackers.
Baby bottles can create additional problems with your child's dental health. When liquid--like milk and juice--from a bottle stays in contact with the teeth for a long time, the sugars cause tooth decay. This can create a condition called bottle mouth. Your baby's teeth can develop cavities and become pitted or discolored. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle, unless it contains plain water. Don't let your child walk around during the day with a bottle, and teach your child to use a drinking cup around his or her first birthday.
It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.
We recommend that parents take their child to a dentist around his or her first birthday. This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with your child's teeth. Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children's dental health. You and your child's dentist should review important information about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. Visiting the dentist from a young age will help your child become comfortable with his or her dentist. It also establishes the good habit of regular dental check-ups.
An early visit to the dentist is a good way to learn proper oral hygiene at an early age, including avoiding nighttime bottles or cups of formula or juice, proper tooth brushing, and a diet that promotes good dental health.
You should also talk with your dentist about using sealants in your school age child. A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the teeth, hardens, and provides a barrier against plaque and other harmful substances. Sealants can be applied to the 1st and 2nd permanent molars to help protect the grooves and pits of these teeth that can be hard to clean and are prone to developing cavities, and appropriate premolars as soon as possible after they erupt (usually after 6 years of age).