This means proper dental care

should start as early as possible

and well before your baby’s first

tooth appears. The necessary type

and frequency of dental care

changes as your child grows. It’s

possible for the process to be

easier and less painful.

Did you know that teeth begin to form during the second

trimester of pregnancy? Did you know that your baby is

born with 20 primary teeth, many of which are already

fully developed in their jaw?

Toothpaste should

contain fluoride,

barring any

conflicting advice

you may receive

from a pediatric

dentist.

It is important to choose a proper

sized toothbrush that will fit in your

child’s mouth. The brush itself

should be soft so it doesn’t

damage the teeth or gums.

When teeth begin to show around 9

months, you can start to brush your

child’s teeth with an infant

toothbrush. A small amount of

toothpaste and water is all that is

needed.

Starting from birth, run a damp washcloth over your

baby’s gums to clear harmful bacteria from your

baby’s mouth.

Starting around 18 months, sit your

child facing away from you on your

lap and tilt their head back so you can

see all of their teeth. Place a small

amount of toothpaste (with fluoride)

on a soft toothbrush.

Angle the brush bristles toward

the gums and move gently in

circles to clean both the inner

and outer sides of the teeth

and the gums.

Switch strokes to brush back

and forth on the chewing

surface of the teeth.

Throughout the brushing

process, make sure your child

spits out the toothpaste.

At around age 6, your child is old

enough to brush their own teeth. It is

important to monitor the brushing to

make sure it is being done properly

and for several minutes.

Your child will likely

not floss on their own,

so it is important to

floss for them.

Babies and children can develop tooth

decay if proper dental habits aren’t started

early. Putting a baby or child to bed with a

bottle can harm their teeth because the

sugars in the juice or milk remain on the

teeth and gums and can eat away at the

enamel. Pitted or discolored teeth can

result, along with cavities.

Another sign of poor oral care

is red and swollen gums or

plaque, seen as a furry white

film over the teeth.

A children dentist specializes in

treating a range of issues

related to the dental health of

children and can identify if

another type of specialist is

needed.

The goals of a children dentist

include preventing problems

before they occur and

maintaining proper dental care.

Many pediatric dentists, such as

the team at Dental Kidz Club,

focus on creating an

atmosphere that’s fun and

exciting so your child looks

forward to their next checkup.

Dental Kidz Club encourages children to maintain

proper oral hygiene through education. Our offices

offer an energetic atmosphere with televisions and DVD

players in exam rooms. Locations even offer video

games in the waiting area.

We strive to make kids feel welcomed

and excited about visiting the dentist.

Request an appointment online at

www.dentalkidzclub.com

or call 844-255-5439.

• http://www.dentalkidzclub.com/z_brushing.

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Summary

Proper oral care is important starting from birth

and continuing throughout childhood. The type of

cleaning routine and involvement needed by a

parent changes over time. Seeing a children

dentist is important for preventing issues and

maintaining optimal oral health.