At Murphy Dental Group in Milton, MA, your family dentists value preventive care. It keeps young teeth and gums healthy. Dr. John Murphy, Dr. Patrick Murphy, and Dr. Natalie Shlosman ask parents to follow through with daily hygiene habits. Do you know what to teach your child? If not, talk to your family dentist Milton MA today!
Tooth decay can get a foothold
It'll happen if plaque and tartar form on and between teeth. Sugar and carb-based foods and beverages encourage decay because oral bacteria proliferate in sticky residues.
The National Institute of Craniofacial and Dental Research says that tooth decay occurs in children even more often than asthma. However, unlike asthma, families can, for the most part, prevent cavities.
At-home habits help
As a parent, you need to teach them. Start early, as your baby's first tooth arrives, by wiping his or her mouth with a clean 4x4 after each feeding. Then, as more teeth arrive, begin simple brushing with a baby toothbrush. By age three, add fluoride toothpaste (a pea-sized smear), and floss when adjacent teeth touch each other.
Parents, you'll need to brush and floss for your little one until he or she can handle a toothbrush and floss well. Then, be sure to supervise oral hygiene routines through middle school. When you do, you'll see good check-ups when your family visits your family dentist Milton MA team in Milton, MA. Keep every six-month cleaning and exam appointment for continual assessment of your child's dental health and development.
More oral hygiene tips
1. Avoid feeding your child with your spoon. Sharing utensils transfers your oral bacteria into that little mouth, providing a gateway for decay.
2. Brush a baby's or toddler's teeth for 30 seconds. For older kids, establish two minutes as the proper brushing time. Parents magazine suggests you brush your teeth at the same time to ensure correct technique and sufficient timing.
3. Give your child water. If your municipal water supply is fluoridated, that's great. If not, ask your family dentist about fluoride treatments and plastic sealants to protect young teeth.
4. Come to Murphy Dental Group every six months beginning when the first baby tooth erupts. Be positive about dental check-ups--including yours!
5. Make brushing and flossing enjoyable. Don't rush him or her, but rather, encourage slow, gentle brushing and flossing. Sing a song (such as "Happy Birthday" at least two times), or set a timer on your phone so your child brushes for two minutes.
6. Include children in selecting floss, brushes, and toothpaste. Employ a sticker chart to reward a job done well.
7. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends children one-year-old and up use regular cups, rather than bottles or sippy cups, to encourage proper oral development.
Contact us
For more on teaching your children oral hygiene, call Murphy Dental Group in Milton, MA. Your family dentists, Dr. John Murphy, Dr. Patrick Murphy, and Dr. Natalie Shlosman love helping kids. Call us at (617) 696-3900.