The Parent’s Guide To Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy

Are you a first time parent wanting to make sure your child is getting proper dental care?  You may have many unanswered questions about when to take your child to the dentist for the first time, if your 3-year old needs to be flossing, and how to know if your child will need braces.  

If you are wanting to keep your child’s smile healthy and cavity free, here are a few general guidelines to help you make sure you are staying on top of your child’s dental health:

When should my kids start brushing their teeth?

As soon as your baby gets teeth, you should start brushing them with an infant toothbrush.  Brush with water and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste, think about the size of a grain of rice for reference.  

Once your baby has two teeth that are touching, you can start flossing between them.  Around age 2 is the time where you should teach your child to spit while brushing.  Children ages 3 and up should be brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste and use just a “pea size” amount.  

How can I help prevent cavities? 

Babies are even susceptible to tooth decay.  Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle could actually be harmful to their dental health.  Milk, formula, and juice all have sugars in them that can stay on your baby’s teeth for hours and start to eat away at their enamel.  This is often called “baby bottle tooth decay” and can result in discolored, pocketed, and pitted front teeth.  

Once kids are able to switch to a sippy cup that has a straw or hard spout, this will prevent liquid from pooling around their teeth.  Other things to look out for to prevent cavities from forming are sugary foods, juices, and candies.  Using a fluoride toothpaste will help protect the teeth as well.

When is it time to see a dentist?

The American Dental Association recommends that kids see a dentist by their first birthday.  When you come to your first appointment, your dentist will walk you through proper dental care for your child so that you can start developing healthy habits at home. 

What dental problems should I look out for?

If your child is complaining about a toothache, this could be a sign that they need dental treatment.  Book them an appointment to come in and see a dentist as soon as possible.  Regular check ups and good daily habits can help prevent larger problems from appearing, so be sure to stick to the basics!  

Ready to schedule your next appointment?

Wasatch Pediatric Dentistry is accepting new clients and would love to serve your family!  Schedule your appointment now & come see us in Providence, Utah!