Pediatrics Dental Care

Oral hygiene starts before the first tooth eruption. Babies are born with all their teeth hidden in the gums which cannot be seen. At the age of 6 months, baby teeth begin to erupt; however, good oral care is important even before eruption of the first tooth. Healthy teeth are the result of healthy gums. Children at the age of 3 years have all of their deciduous teeth which will be fell off by the age of 6 years when permanent teeth begin to grow.

Deciduous teeth provide enough space for the growth of permanent teeth. Most permanent teeth are completed by the age of 13.

Excessive use of milk bottles can cause tooth decay.

Prolonged consumption of milk or fruit juice with a bottle may lead to tooth decay.

Prevention tips

When drinking is finished, take the bottle from the baby. Do not take your baby to bed with a bottle. Limit the use of sweets, sticky foods and soft drinks to prevent children’s tooth decay.

Some ways to keep pediatrics teeth healthy and firm

Up to 2 years old

• After feeding, wipe the gums with a sterile gas. This will help the gums get rid of a sticky coating called plaque which may cause tooth decay.
• The first dentist visit should be after the age of one.

3 to 5 years old

• Brushing with a pea-size fluoride-containing toothpaste twice a day is recommended from the age of 3. Make sure your baby spits toothpaste after brushing. Start using the floss since the eruption of the second tooth.
• Try to get your baby out of the habit of thumb and pacifier sucking from age 4 onwards.
• The baby’s teeth should be examined every 6 months.

6 to 9 years old

Start using floss as soon as you feel your baby’s first tooth grow. Let the baby know that shedding (or exfoliation) of deciduous teeth is normal, so permanent teeth start to grow. As long as babies are unable to take care of their oral health alone, the parents should help them brush and floss. Special attention should always be paid to their rear teeth, as plaque formation is more likely in those areas. visiting an orthodontist is recommended at 8 years old.

10 to 12 years old

Exercising children are recommended to use teeth guard.

13 years and up

Parents can encourage adolescent oral health by reminding them that beautiful smile and a pleasant smell help adolescents achieve a more beautiful look and feel.

Note

It is crucial to encourage teens who use orthodontics to brush and floss. Adolescents are recommended to have their toothbrush and floss in their bags during the day.