We are all aware of how crucial dental health is for humans, but what about baby teeth? Your child’s jaws already contain baby teeth from birth. According to dentists, dental and gum care should start even before a baby tooth erupts. Establishing a healthy oral hygiene regimen for your kids from an early age is crucial. When teeth are not taken care of, they can develop cavities or tooth decay. Plaque is the cause of cavities (plak). A dangerous layer of bacteria called plaque builds up on teeth. The bacteria create acids when your child consumes sugar-containing food or medications. Cavities develop in teeth as a result of these acids’ damage. Compared to adult teeth, baby teeth experience cavities more quickly.
Here are a few dental health tips to help toddlers grow elegant, healthy smiles.
1. For babies, breastfeeding is ideal.
Breast milk or infant formula is your baby’s only source of nutrition for the first six months of their life. You should take your baby off the breast or bottle as soon as they are done eating. For a baby, breastmilk is the ideal food. It has the ideal balance of nutrients. Additionally, it is kind to your baby’s developing intestines, stomach, and other body systems. It is advised that you breastfeed your child for at least one to two years after your baby is six months old. After that, you can start feeding them solid foods.
2. Avoid swaying your kid to sleep with a bottle.
Some of the milk from a bottle stays in the mouth and on the teeth of babies who use it to fall asleep. It is advised that they not take the bottle to bed as this can lead to tooth decay and raise the risk of choking and ear infections.If your child drinks from a bottle before bed, there’s a chance that milk will collect in their mouth and around their teeth at night, which can lead to tooth decay. This remains true even if your infant wakes up during a bottle-fed nap.
Avoid giving your infant bottle feedings when she is lying on her back. Lying down puts her at greater risk of choking and lets milk get into her eustachian tubes, which could lead to an infection in her middle ear. To trigger the rooting reflex during the initial weeks of life, you might need to gently touch her nipple to her cheek.
3. Plain milk is another nutritious beverage option.
A good source of calcium that promotes healthy, strong teeth is milk. Infants under the age of two years old can drink plain, full-fat cow’s milk, but babies under the age of twelve months should be fed breast milk or infant formula.Low-fat milk is appropriate after two years of age. Be aware that some flavor-infused milk contains added sugar, which can lead to dental decay.
The risk of dental decay can be raised by fruit juice and sugary beverages. It’s important to remember that fruit juice labeled as having “no added sugar” still contains natural sugar, which can corrode teeth. Additionally, the acids in diet soft drinks can harm teeth.
Soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, cordials, tea drinks, fruit drinks, and energy drinks are examples of sweet beverages that should be avoided. Fresh fruit is a better option than fruit juice and sugary drinks. It is more satisfying than juice and offers the same nutrients along with fiber.
4. The best beverage for your toddler is water.
Make sure your toddler drinks tap water throughout the day as it should be their preferred beverage. Before drinking, tap water for infants younger than a year old should be boiled and cooled. The most crucial dental health advice for toddlers is to drink tap water all day long.
Fluoridated tap water helps prevent tooth decay because it is mostly fluoridated. The majority of bottled water purchased from stores, however, is devoid of fluoride.
5. Young children don’t require fruit juice or other sugary beverages.
It is not advisable to give fruit juice or sugary drinks to children younger than a year old as they may lead to dental cavities. It’s important to remember that fruit juice labeled as having “no added sugar” still contains natural sugar, which can corrode teeth. Additionally, the acids in diet soft drinks can harm teeth. Soft drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks, cordials, tea drinks, fruit drinks, and energy drinks are examples of sweet beverages that should be avoided.
6. Having a healthy diet is essential for maintaining dental health.
Every day, eat a broad range of nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains and cereals, lean meat, fish, and eggs. Our bodies receive vital vitamins and nutrients from fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, dairy products like cheese, yoghurt, and milk are great sources of calcium, which is beneficial for teeth. Selecting dairy products without added sugar is advised.
Given the prevalence of sugar-filled common foods and snacks, it’s critical to set a good example for your kids by eating healthily yourself. This is a result of the fact that they observe their parents and other family members to learn about food. Children should start eating a wide range of healthful foods at the age of twelve months, just like the rest of the family.’s diet. Children pick up eating habits from watching their parents and other family members, so it’s critical to lead by example and establish wholesome routines.
The fact that babies don’t prefer sweetness is another fascinating fact. Since many everyday foods contain sugar, when people regularly eat and drink sweet things, they actually grow accustomed to it.
7. As soon as your baby’s teeth erupt, begin brushing them.
As soon as your baby’s teeth erupt, you can start brushing and wiping them with a small toothbrush and water. When your child is 18 months old, you can start brushing their teeth with a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste. After brushing, make sure they spit out the toothpaste, but do not rinse. Do not replace a baby tooth that your child knocks out. The adult tooth beneath the gum line may be harmed by this. Consult your dentist right away if an adult tooth is broken or knocked out.
Until they are 7- 8 years old, children will require the assistance of an adult to brush their teeth and gums twice a day.
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