Preventing Childhood Dental Problems: Tips for Maintaining Oral Health in Manteca

Your child’s oral health is as important as their overall health. Many parents focus on their children’s overall health, forgetting that a child’s oral health also plays a vital role in their overall well-being. Besides teaching your child how to brush their teeth properly, it is essential to take them to pediatric dentistry in Manteca, CA, for regular checkups. This piece will provide valuable tips to help maintain your child’s oral health. Keep on reading to learn more.

What Other Dental Problems Happen to Kids?

Although childhood is a time filled with growth and adventure, it can also be filled with dental problems common to kids. These dental problems include:

Tooth decay- children are not good at brushing and flossing their teeth without supervision. Furthermore, most children love sugary drinks and foods, and these conditions encourage the development of cavities. The food debris stuck between teeth provides sugar for the harmful bacteria that create acid that erodes the tooth enamel.

Therefore, you should supervise your kid when they brush to ensure that they brush, eat and rinse their mouth correctly.

Excessive thumb-sucking– many children suck their thumbs to soothe anxiety. When the child is young, thumb sucking is not a problem, but as the child gets old, they should stop sucking their thumb. Unfortunately, some children have continued this habit past 5 years, and this creates issues with how their teeth develop.

An open bite is one of the issues that excessive thumb-sucking can cause. Open bite is where the upper teeth don’t come together with the lower front teeth creating a cap when the mouth is closed.

Dental emergencies- kids love playing and running around, which puts them at risk of injuring their teeth and gums. If your child has an open wound in their mouth, you should look for a dentist who performs oral surgery near you. The dentist can control the bleeding and close the wound to prevent oral infection.

When Should Kids Start Brushing Their Teeth?

As your child gets older, you should teach them to brush their teeth. This is around the age of two or three when you should help them develop the skill. When your child reaches the age of 8, they should know how to brush their teeth properly. Nevertheless, before they reach this age, you should supervise them until you’re confident in their skill.

Here are some tips that can help encourage toothbrushing:

• Make it fun for your child.
• Set a good example- let your kid see you brushing your teeth.
• Allow your child to choose their favourite toothbrush.
• When your child gets older, try a reward system where you reward them for maintaining proper oral hygiene, like brushing twice a day.

When Should Kids visit their Nearby Dentistry?

Many parents wonder when they should take their kids for their first dental visit. Many dentists agree that you should take your child to the dentist near you for their first dental checkup when their first tooth comes out. This is within 6 months of the first tooth erupting or by around 12 months at the latest.

When you take your child to the pediatric dentist, they will provide information on the following:

• Teething.
• Pacifier habits.
• Infant feeding techniques.
• Finger-sucking habits.
• Mouth cleaning.
• Baby bottle tooth decay.

It is recommended to take your child to the dentist in the morning when they are fresh and alert. If the child is older, you can explain to them what to expect during the dental visit and why they need to go to the dentist.

Tips On How We Can Prevent Kid’s Tooth Cavities.

Tooth cavities are one of the most common problems that children face. Therefore, knowing how to prevent your child from developing tooth cavities is essential. Some of the tips on how to make this possible include:

• Start brushing your kid’s teeth as soon as the first one appears. Ensure you also brush the tongue and gums twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Take your child to the dentist in Manteca, CA, for a routine dental checkup every 6 months.
• Ensure your child has a well-balanced diet and discourage the consumption of sugary foods and drinks.
• Get your kid to understand the importance of proper oral hygiene.
• Consult your dentist about dental sealants.

It is imperative that your child knows the importance of proper oral hygiene at a young age. In addition, you should take your child to certified dental practitioners like the ones in Valley View Dental in Manteca. This is because relying on the services of certified dental professionals gives you the confidence that your child’s oral and dental health is taken care of by the best in the business.