Exceptional dental health is essential for all ages, but it is particularly important for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Their oral health before and after their primary teeth have erupted can have a tremendous impact on oral health in adulthood. As such, it is vital to practice good oral hygiene early and consult with your child’s dentist regularly.

3 Dental Health Tips for Preschoolers

1. Be Mindful of Bottle Decay

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children, affecting as many as 5% of children under 6 years of age. There are a number of culprits, but baby bottles are one of the most frequent causes of cavities in infants and toddlers. Many parents put their babies to bed or down for a nap with a bottle, without realizing the sugars in breast milk, formula, and fruit juice feed the bacteria in their mouths, which then emit acids that eat away at the tooth enamel, resulting in decay.

The best way to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is to only put your child to bed with a bottle of water. This avoids the prolonged exposure to the sugars in other drinks. In addition, dentists recommend cleaning a baby’s gums with a damp washcloth after each feeding and using an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste once teeth erupt.

2. Visit the Dentist When They Get Their First Tooth

When your child’s first tooth erupts, take them to the dentist. This visit is as much for you as it is for them. The dentist will check the tooth and surrounding gums to ensure everything looks okay. They’ll also provide you with guidance on how to properly care for your baby’s teeth and gums.

If your child’s first birthday arrives and they still haven’t gotten their first tooth, schedule an appointment with their dentist anyway. They’ll conduct a thorough examination to ensure there’s nothing of concern.

3. Monitor Tooth Brushing Until Age 7

Once the first tooth erupts, use an infant toothbrush and toothpaste the size of a grain of rice to clean the tooth and continue to gently wipe down the gums. As your child’s motor skills improve, they can begin to brush on their own. It is important, however, to monitor and help them until they reach the age of 7.

Dentists recommend monitoring children while brushing their teeth for a couple reasons. First, children typically are not capable of reaching every area of their mouths, which could lead to decay. Second, kids are at a greater risk of swallowing toothpaste rather than spitting it out, which could result in upset stomach and, in excess amounts, dental discoloration.

To ensure your child has the best dental care, take them to Helmbrecht Dental in Fairbanks, AK. Drs. Helmbrecht and Chang are experienced in family and restorative dentistry and provide quality care, from your child’s first visit to the dentist to fillings for cavities to their wisdom teeth removal in their late teens. Visit their website to learn more about the practice, and call (907) 456-1237 to schedule your child’s first appointment.