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To establish great oral health for life, good habits must start in childhood. According to pediatric dentists, children actually go through a few different stages on their way to adulthood, and, as their teeth develop, their dental care routine must be tweaked to ensure the best results. Accordingly, Dentistry For Kids of Pearl City, HI, offers the following advice on what to expect at each stage of children’s dental development.

3 Stages of Dental Health From a Pediatric Dentist

1. Infancy

Proper dental care is important even before your child develops primary teeth. You can use a cloth to clean an infant’s mouth in this case, which is important to keep gums healthy. Only use warm water when cleaning, as toothpaste is too harsh for babies. Teeth usually begin to develop around six months, and it’s generally recommended that your baby visits the dentist just before his or her first birthday.

2. Preschool Years

pediatric dentistBy age three, most kids have all of their primary teeth. While this set of teeth will be lost to make way for adult teeth, proper dental care is still important. Along with scheduling regular teeth cleanings, you should also instruct your child on the proper brushing methods. You’ll need to help your child brush until about age seven, although you should still supervise after that until you’re sure he or she can manage alone.

3. Older Kids

Older kids should brush and floss regularly and steer clear of sugary treats and sodas. Additionally, you want to make sure that your child is paying visits to the dentist for checkups. Adult teeth typically develop around age 13, which means orthodontic issues, such as misaligned teeth, can occur soon after.

When it comes to your child’s oral health, the pediatric dentists at Dentistry For Kids are dedicated to teaching you and your child the best dental care methods. Learn more about scheduling your child’s first dental visit in Pearl City by calling (808) 486-8881 today. You can also visit them online to access resources to help prepare for the first visit.  

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