Not long into the first year, you will notice a glimmer of something white, or you may hear a clunk when the feeding spoon touches the first tooth. Because children follow the habits and routines they learn during childhood, it is vital that parents instill good dental habits at an early age. With help from your children’s dentist in Ashburn, you can ensure that your child remains healthy and continues to flash their endearing smile.
At Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Cleaning a child’s teeth should begin when the first tooth is visible because teeth are susceptible to decay as soon as they appear in the mouth. Wipe your baby’s teeth and gums clean after every feeding with a soft, damp washcloth or gauze pad. As a pediatric dentist in Ashburn, VA we are able to help you understand how to properly care for your children’s teeth—from the eruption of the first tooth through the development of permanent teeth.
A leading cause of tooth decay among young children is known as “baby bottle syndrome,” which is when an infant is allowed to drink from a nursing bottle containing milk, formula or fruit juice during nap time or at night and the baby falls asleep with the bottle in his or her mouth. Prolonged exposure to the sugars and acids in these liquids, that pool around the teeth, can cause discoloration and decay.
Establish Proper Oral Hygiene and Nutrition
In Ashburn your children’s dentist will also help you establish proper oral hygiene and diet for your child. Your child’s primary teeth are important because good, healthy teeth allow your child to eat and maintain good nutrition, making oral hygiene and diet essential for a healthy life.
Additionally, healthy teeth allow for clear pronunciation and speech habits. Primary teeth also guide the eruption of your child’s permanent teeth. For proper oral hygiene maintenance, your child’s dentist may recommend:
- Regular checkups beginning after their first birthday
- Good nutrition
- Supervised tooth bushing
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental sealants
The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. Increasing consumption of nutritional foods and reducing intake of less healthy foods can help minimize cavities and other dental problems. Most snacks that children eat can cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods such as vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheeses to promote strong, healthy teeth.
Caring for your child’s teeth begins early and often. By doing so, you are setting your child up for a lifetime of healthy permanent teeth and overall dental health. Begin proper dental care for your child immediately and with the initial onset of your child’s first tooth, visit our Ashburn, VA pediatric dentist for proper assessment. You can pave the way for a lifetime of proper dental health for your child by maintaining proper oral health care from their first birthday.