Caring for children’s teeth

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cody Lemon
  • 341st Dental Flight
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Tooth decay and other oral diseases that can affect children are preventable. The combination of brushing, flossing, dental sealants and fluoride has the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school-age children.

Some good tips and information on how to help prevent cavities and gum issues are listed within this article.

An infant's teeth begin growing before they are even born, starting in the second trimester of pregnancy. By birth, babies have about 20 teeth, but they don't appear until the baby teethes, which usually begins sometime after they are 3 months old.

Juice, milk, and soda may contribute to tooth decay, especially if it is just sitting in the mouth, and over time, can give a baby a case of "baby bottle rot." Babies should not be allowed to drink a bottle of juice or milk while lying down to go to sleep. Soda should be avoided as well. It is suggested to give babies bottles with water. 

It is also important to make sure babies' teeth are clean. The best way to do that is to run a damp washcloth over their teeth after eating. Once a tooth comes in, a soft infant toothbrush should be used, but only using water without toothpaste to brush.

Before babies turn 2, they should see a pediatric dentist for an exam to make sure teeth are healthy and clean. If cavities develop, children can lose their baby teeth prematurely before their permanent teeth come in and this can cause problems with tooth spacing. Children should eat nutritious foods with minimal amounts of sugar and avoid sticky foods.

Children should brush their teeth twice a day with their parent's assistance, using a soft bristled brush with a pea sized amount of toothpaste. A medium or hard-bristled toothbrush should not be used, as it can damage teeth and gums. Children should also be taken to the dentist once every six months.

Flossing for children should begin as soon as two teeth touch each other. Flossing helps prevent cavities by removing plaque and food particles caught between teeth that the tooth brush cannot reach. Children should be able to floss their own teeth by the time they're 9 years old.

To floss younger children's teeth, parents can place children in their lap facing them. Parents should then take the dental floss and wrap one end around each middle finger and gently slide the floss between two teeth. Once at the gum line, pull both ends of the floss in the same direction to form a "C" shape against the tooth. Pull the floss tightly and move it up and down gently against the tooth. Pull the floss against the other tooth and repeat the motion.

In order to have a good set of permanent teeth, it is important to have healthy, cavity-free baby teeth in children; this can be accomplished by following the simple steps listed above. Caring for children's teeth will help ensure they keep great oral health.  Practicing good healthy habits at a young age will pay huge dividends later on in life.