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Archive for the ‘Oral Health for Children’ Category
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Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
It’s important to start bringing your children to the dentist on a regular basis from a young age, but that doesn’t mean that the work stops between dental visits. To be proactive with the oral health of your children you can complete examinations at home between trips to the dentist and keep an eye out for tooth decay, cavities and enflamed gums that could be signs of trouble. If you spot something while completing a home examination, book an appointment with your dentist.
Tips for home examinations:
- Sit comfortably with your child’s head in your lap. In this position, you should be able to see all surfaces of the front and back teeth relatively easy
- Use gauze or paper towel to help move your child’s tongue around their mouth to get a good view of the teeth all around the mouth
- Use a compressor to hold their tongue down when you try and look at the back teeth. If you don’t have a tongue compressor then use the end of a spoon
- With a younger child, don’t take too long with the examination process, otherwise they might not be so cooperative next time. The first time you try this at home, get your child to open his/her mouth while you do a quick check!
Via: Your Dental Care Tips
Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons
Tags: at home examination, baby teeth, children's teeth, dental care for kids, dental care for parents, oral care at home
Posted in Dental Tips, Oral Health for Children | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
February is about to come to a close; the month that represented National Children’s Dental Health month in the United States. The season might have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean the importance of caring for children’s teeth comes to an end. If you’ve been reading, you’re already aware that some elements of dental care should start from birth, and that children should see a dentist by the time they’re a year old.
(Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons)
You know how to care for the gums and teeth of your child, but if you’ve recently had your first baby, you might not know when to expect their teeth to appear. Here’s a general guideline to help you understand to ensure you put dental care first, and also understand whether or not teething might be a good excuse for your child’s recent mood swings!
- 6 months – around this time, babies should receive their first teeth. Typically they are the lower incisors around the bottom front of the mouth, and 2 appear
- 8 to 12 months – the upper central and lateral incisors appear within this time frame and are the four teeth on the top front
- 4 teeth everyone 6 months until age 3 – by age 3, children should have all of their baby teeth. 2 at a time typically appear, and are on opposite sides of teeth that are already erupted
- 6 to 12 years – primary (baby) teeth are lost in this period. Some children lose more closer to the younger age range, and others closer to the older; there is no rule, except that around age 12 all of the baby teeth should be shed and replaced by permanent, adult teeth
Via: Just The Facts, Baby!
Posted in Dental Questions, Dental Tips, Oral Health for Children | No Comments »
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010
Although many parents have been made aware that dental care should start with their children in some way shape or form almost from birth, there’s still a misconception out there that it’s not necessary. Parents believe that since their children’s baby teeth are only temporary proper care is not required and that any issues that do surface are not reason for concern. Unfortunately, not enough healthcare providers that deal with children encourage parents to start as early as they should.
Children should see a dentist by their first birthday, because the treatment of tooth decay, cavaties and other oral health issues can prevent them occurring again in the future. Poor oral health is also related to diet and nutrition problems which can lead to obesity, and has links to behavioural issues.
It’s important that paediatricians begin encouraging families to take control over the oral health of their children from the onset. Dentists that see parents who have older children should also ask about other kids in the household to encourage them to be brought in, so their care becomes a priority as well.
Tags: baby teeth, children's health, children's oral care, dental care, encouraging dental habits
Posted in Oral Health for Children, dental news | 1 Comment »
Saturday, January 16th, 2010
Many parents don’t think about their children’s oral care until they’ve developed teeth in their mouths for a more extensive period of time. But, for proper oral care, it’s got to start even earlier than that. Parents who take control of their children’s health care early can prevent the development of much bigger problems later on.
- Remember, dental health starts in the womb – when there’s a baby on board, moms can aid in the development of their child’s teeth by consuming calcium-rich items
- Recognize that teeth are there even if you can’t see them – while they might not be visible at birth, there are about 20 primary teeth in the jaw. They can be cared for by wiping the gums with a warm cloth to prevent bacteria
- Start dental care around the first year – by a child’s first birthday they should have a visit to the dentist. Gum and tooth decay can be evaluated, other issues like thumb sucking or use of soothers than can affect teeth can also be addressed. This is also a time when dentists can begin providing parents better tips for caring for children’s teeth
- Don’t introduce toothpaste too early – toothpaste, even the children’s variety, should only be used by age 2. Before that water and a toothbrush is a great way to start
- Teach them to brush – although children may not be able to brush independently until 6 or 7, until then, teach them the right techniques and give them a chance to try brushing for themselves
- Use floss – many parents forget that floss is important for children too. Start as soon as they have teeth in their mouth to clean between them
- Make dental visits fun – some kids fear the dentist, make sure the trips are fun and if you have the right dentist, that can help make it an even more enjoyable experience for them
Via: Dentistry.com
(Image Credit: Flickr Creative Commons)
Tags: caring for children's teeth, dental care for parents, dental tips for children, dentists for children, oral health
Posted in Dental Tips, Oral Health for Children | No Comments »
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