Basics Of Oral Health: Everything You Need To Know

A number of dental issues affect the oral health of children. Some of the common problems among kids are thumb sucking, tooth decay, and lip sucking. When not treated for a long time, these issues affect kids’ eating, playing, and learning. Basics of oral health and an answer to the ‘toddler dentist near me’ query can help parents improve children’s dental health. 

A kid has 20 initial teeth: primary, baby, and deciduous teeth. They include four first molars, four second molars, four central incisors, four lateral incisors, and four cuspids.

It is essential for parents to ensure that their children have healthy teeth. Kids with oral health problems experience pain and infections. Also, as per reports, these children miss more school days than those who don’t have dental problems.  As per the World Health Organization (WHO), over 60% of school children have at least one dental cavity.

Here is how parents can take care of their children’s oral health:

When To Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

Dental care begins even before the baby’s first tooth appears. When the first tooth begins to pop up, consult your toddler dentist in Edmonton to know when to start using a toothbrush.  

Some pediatricians may ask you to wait until the kid is 2 or 3 years old, while others suggest you wait until four teeth in a row. 

When choosing a toothbrush for a child, ensure it has:

• A soft brush
• Large handle and small head

When Should You Get Your Child’s First Dental X-Ray

It entirely depends on your kid’s dental health. For example, children prone to baby bottle tooth decay or other dental problems should have a dental x-ray earlier than others. 

Usually, most children have their first x-ray at the age of 5. The x-ray technique helps pediatric dentists see if teeth are growing in the jaw. Also, the pediatric dentist uses the x-ray to look for dental problems. 

How to Choose Foods for Your Children’s Good Oral Health

What your child eats affects their teeth. For example, too much sugar or too many carbohydrates can lead to tooth decay. The foremost thing a parent can do is to make healthy food choices for their kids. 

• Replace carbohydrates with vegetables and fruits.
• Avoid sugary drinks and sticky foods.
• When serving sugary treats, ensure they are coupled with meals and not given as snacks.
• Give your children only a few snacks.

How to Prepare Your Children for a Dentist’s Visit

Visiting an affordable pediatric dentist in Edmonton at regular intervals is necessary for the health of your child’s teeth. Usually, kids get scared when it comes to visiting a dental clinic. Here’s how parents can ease their children’s fear of dentists.

Prepare your child for the visit by telling them about it, but limit the details. If your child asks a question, offer a to-the-point answer. Also, ensure that you avoid words like ‘hurt’, ‘painful’, or ‘shot’. 

In addition, do not share your unpleasant dental experiences with your kid. 

To summarize

It is essential to take care of your child’s oral health, even when they have baby teeth. These teeth remain for a short period of time, but they reserve space for permanent teeth and help develop clear speech. Visit a toddler dentist in Edmonton for your child’s oral health.