Their teeth are brand new, they’ve just learned to walk and don’t want to take a nap; welcome to the world of oral health care for toddlers!
While managing a toddler and a daily routine can be a challenge, it is important that as their parent, you do not neglect their dental care. Many parents incorrectly assume that due to the fact that their teeth are baby teeth, or temporary, there is no need to worry about them in the long-term.
Those precious first few years are exactly the time to establish habits for life in your child’s mind and so, what you teach them now may be with them for the rest of their lives. The last thing you want is a pre-adolescent child who doesn’t want to go to their biannual dental check-up!
But is oral health care for toddlers that different from health care for older children? A dentist in Spa Dental Sydney CBD provides the following tips to keep your toddlers’ teeth and mouth healthy.
Check-ups are essential!
By the time your child has hit their first birthday, they should have already visited a dentist near Spa Dental Sydney CBD. While they may not have cut their first tooth yet, it is important to familiarise them with your local dental surgery, so they will not be apprehensive about visits in the future.
Your dentist from Spa Dental Sydney CBD will typically check their mouths for signs of dental eruption and will aim to assess for any orthodontic issues (yes, they can check for that before the teeth have erupted!).
Cut back on juice
It is no secret that toddlers like sweet things.
And while fruit juice is a healthy drink in moderation, too much juice can lead to decay. Opt for more water in your toddlers’ diet and aim to restrict juice to one serving per day.
Good habits that stick!
Before your babies teeth begin to emerge, aim to teach them about dental hygiene.
Twice a day, brush their gums with a soft-bristled brush and water, to show them how to care for their mouths. This also teaches the required regularity of brushing and, if you do it at the same time as them, they will associate with you. When they grow into toddlers and their teeth have erupted, add a small amount of toothpaste to the brush and supervise them with cleaning their teeth.
Besides this, it would also be advisable to take them for a biannual dental check-up with a nearby children’s dentist. A dental check-up, at least twice a year happens to be as important for kids as it is for adults.
Say no to sippy cups!
Making the transition from a bottle to regular cup can be tough.
As tempting as it is to simply give your toddler a sippy cup to drink from every day, prolonged use can lead to decay forming on the back of their teeth if the drinks are sugary. Cut back on the sugar and cut back on the sippy cup!
No nap with a bottle
Fruit juice plus naps equate to decay due to the teeth experiencing excess sugar.
In warm weather, put your toddler down for their nap with water to avoid decay associated issues. Simple!
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.