Tips For Keeping Your Yong Child's Teeth Healthy

Healthy teeth are so important, and it is essential for good dental health to begin at an early age. No one wants to deal with invasive dental procedures. You can prevent them by taking care of your child's teeth from an early age. Keep your young child's teeth and mouth in good shape with the following tips:

Take Care of Your Newborn's Mouth

Even when a new baby has no teeth, it is a good idea to take care of his or her mouth. Start by using a clean piece of wet cloth or gauze to gently clean the gums of your newborn after a feeding. Not only will this help prevent bacteria from growing in your child's mouth, it will also help your child get used to having his or her mouth and teeth cleaned as he or she grows older.

No Falling Asleep While Feeding

"Baby bottle rot" is a huge problem in young children, and it develops when infants fall asleep with milk in their mouth while nursing or drinking a bottle at bedtime. In these cases, milk pools on the teeth, and the sugar in milk or formula are a prime target for the different types of bacteria that lead to tooth decay. Many babies find it very soothing to nurse or drink a bottle while falling asleep, but if you want to preserve good oral health, you should clean the teeth and gums of your child even if he or she falls asleep while eating. If your child won't fall asleep without a bottle, try filling it with water instead of milk.

Don't Miss Dental Appointments

Even if your child's teeth look alright, it is still essential for him or her to see a dentist. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you take you your child to see the dentist by the time he or she is one year of age. Regular dental care from a dentist will insure that your child will have a healthy teeth, mouth, and jaw. The first dental appointment is not very invasive, and there is rarely a full teeth cleaning, but it allows you child's dentist to examine the teeth, jaw, and bite of your child, and offer tips for the future.

Brush Appropriately

Young kids need to brush their teeth often, but they usually can't do it themselves. As a parent, you can allow your toddler to brush his or her own teeth, but you should always finish up the job by ensuring that each tooth is brushed.