Pediatric Dentistry for Toddlers and Preschoolers
We’ve all heard
about a child’s "terrible twos," but have you heard about the "thorny
threes" or the "finicky fours"? Let’s face it, raising a child is not
easy, no matter what age, but that doesn’t absolve anyone from their
parental responsibilities. One of the most overlooked aspects of
parenting is probably pediatric dentistry and oral care. Since baby
teeth are fall out anyway, it doesn’t really matter, right? Wrong! Kids
need to develop strong healthy teeth early on because it will affect
their speech, eating habits, jaw growth, and more! To ensure your child
is getting the best oral care, check out our pediatric dentistry guide
for toddlers and preschoolers below:
Learning to brush
Your
child’s first set of baby teeth should have all come in by the age of 3,
but you can teach them to brush their teeth much earlier than that. In
fact, it’s a good habit to clean your child’s mouth before the teeth
even before their first teeth erupt. There are many soft finger brushes
you can use to gently scrub away milk build up or food debris on your
child’s gums and tongue. Babies are very perceptive and this simple
routine is the first of many good dental habits your child will need to
maintain strong and healthy teeth.
Once your child is ready to
move onto a real toothbrush on their own, it’s a good idea to supervise
their brushing the first few times as they get the hang of it. Here are a
few easy steps to teaching your child to brush:
Show them how
to grip the toothbrush correctly. The toothbrush may seem like a toy to
them, so you need to show them to use and care for it properly.
Demonstrate how brush and have them practice without toothpaste. Have them practice the motions on a doll!
Give your child a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Kids can have trouble
not swallowing foam or toothpaste, so you don’t want to use too much.
Toothpaste can be toxic when ingested in excess.
Brush your teeth
with your child! Make brushing time family time. It’s also a good way to
check if they’re brushing thoroughly, even in hard-to-reach areas. You
can set a timer for two minutes or watch a fun video during this time to
make sure your child is brushing long enough.
Rinse. Keep a cup nearby, so your child can quickly and easily rinse their mouth after they brush their teeth.
And of course, don’t forget to floss afterward! Flossing can be hard
for kids, so you may want to get them dental flossers or kid’s floss for
your little ones. Make sure they get well under both sides of the gums
to remove all the food debris and plaque. Once your child is all done,
ask them to flash you their pearly whites! Give them encouragement and
praise for a job well done.
Motivating good dental hygiene habits
Teaching your child to brush and floss is one thing. Actually getting
them to do it a completely different accomplishment. It can be
frustrating having to remind your child to brush their teeth every day,
but it’ll pay off in the long run. Try one (or all) of the following
tips:
Establish an oral hygiene schedule. Time is relative and
your child will remember to brush their teeth in relation to other
specific activities right before or after they brush. For example, you
can let them watch their favorite show right before they brush their
teeth and help them change into pajamas right after. Doing the same
things every single day at a specific time will help them remember when
to brush.
Reward your child after they brush their teeth. Give them
a high five or sing a lullaby when they remember to brush their teeth
all on their own.
Put on a show. Kids love a little drama, so
exaggerate how bad their breath smells when they don’t brush their
teeth. After they do brush their teeth, tell them how gorgeous and
sparkly their teeth look.
Tell a story. Children respond better to
stories. Read them a story about the importance of oral care or tell
them your own personal experience! They’ll probably relate to the
character and understand the importance of brushing from that character.
Scare them a little. Rotten teeth look pretty scary, whether
you’re an adult or a child. Don’t go overboard, but show them pictures
of what could happen if they’re not diligent about their dental care.
Brushing twice daily and flossing nightly is the best way to prevent
unwanted cavities. Having strong healthy baby teeth is important because
those teeth hold the space for adult teeth. They also promote bone and
bite development.
Using fluoride
Once your child is 3 or 4 years
old, talk to your pediatric dentist about introducing fluoride into
your child’s dental routine. Fluoride is a naturally occurring component
that is known to remineralize the teeth, making them brighter and
stronger. It’s already present in the water that we consume, but it can
also be applied topically.
Fluoride comes in many different
forms. The pediatric dentist probably has a highly concentrated fluoride
treatment they can give patients in-office, but there are also
drugstore brands that can be used to strengthen the enamel to protect
against cavities. There are lots of brands of fluoridated mouth rinse
and toothpaste that are also child-friendly.
Just remember to
ask your pediatric dentist what an appropriate amount of fluoride is.
While fluoride is great, overconsumption of it can lead to fluorosis, a
condition that causes the teeth to have white or brown spots.
Weaning bad habits
Habits that are totally fine for babies can be very harmful for
toddlers. Drinking from bottles and sucking on pacifiers or thumbs
should be reserved for infants. Having an obstruction in the mouth all
the time can cause the jaw and teeth to form in an abnormal shape.
Having an incorrect bite can lead to unattractive crowding, impacted
teeth, or gaps for adult teeth. It can even lead to bruxism and jaw
disorders that are painful and expensive to fix.
While there are
ways to fix these issues (palatal expanders, retainers, early
orthodontics, etc), it’s much easier to prevent them! Next time your
child asks for the bottle or a pacifier, give them a regular cup or
sippy cup to drink from. They’re less likely to sip on that for an
extended period of time, which also reduces the risk of cavities. There
are also lots of thumb guards or decorative strips you discourage your
child from thumb sucking.
Eating healthy
Toddlers and
preschoolers have a lot of growing to do, so they need energy from their
food to do it! It can be hard to get kids to eat their fruits and
vegetables at a young age, but you can easily disguise those foods when
they’re baked in pastas or served with rice.
As you probably
know, kids also need calcium and vitamin D to develop strong bones and
teeth. Children can get their vitamin D from the sun (along with
sunscreen), but calcium is mostly derived from the diet. Dairy products
like cheese, milk, and yogurt are the usual go-to items that kids like
to eat, but they can also get their recommended calcium intake from
enriched plant-based products and vegetables as well!
One item
you want your child to avoid is sugar. Unfortunately, many products that
are marketed as healthy are actually full of sugar or fat. Always check
the ingredients list before purchasing to ensure you’re getting what
you really want. While your child can and should enjoy the occasional
treat, supervise their consumption and have them rinse their mouths
after. Bacteria feed off of sugar, creating acids that damage the
enamel. This is what causes cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay.
Yuck!
Last but not least, toddlers and preschoolers need to see
the pediatric dentist just as often as you see the dentist. A checkup
and cleaning every six months will help keep your tot on track to having
a stunning smile!
At Epic Dentistry for Kids, our pediatric
dentist is trained to work with children at every stage of development.
Dr. Patterson can provide nutrition counseling, oral care guidance,
dental cleaning, and more for young patients. Not only is he great with
kids (he has two of his own), his education in pediatric dentistry
includes communication and behavior management, so he can definitely
handle toddlers with grace. If you’d like to learn more about pediatric
dentistry, give us a call and we’d be happy to answer any questions.
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