Developing good oral health habits: Why is it important?

Having a healthy mouth and a great smile start well before baby teeth begin to appear. Cavities are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the US according to the CDC. Parents play a huge role in helping their children develop healthy mouths. Scheduled visits to the dentist are equally as important.

Why visit a Pediatric Dentist?

A Pediatric Dentist’s professional education includes 2-3 years of specialized study after completing dental school. They provide both primary and specialized oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs.

Pediatric dentists practice behavioral guidance with children. This helps establish communication, alleviate fear and anxiety, allows them to deliver quality dental care, build trust and a relationship, and promotes a child’s positive attitude toward oral health and care.

Tips & Recommendations

Ages 0-2

As soon as your baby is born, good oral health practices can begin. Tooth decay can happen at any age, including infanthood. Building solid habits at a young age will serve your children for the rest of their lives.

• Use a soft washcloth to wipe your baby’s gums after feedings.
• Don’t put babies to bed with a bottle filled with milk, use water instead.
• When introducing solid foods, choose healthy foods to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
• As soon as a tooth appears in your baby’s mouth, begin brushing twice a day with a grain of rice sized smear of toothpaste on a soft toothbrush.
• Avoid thumb sucking and pacifier use if possible for proper tooth alignment.
• Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot any signs of problems early.
• Talk to your dentist about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

Ages 3-9

As children grow and become toddlers, their bodies go through amazing changes. More teeth come in, diets evolve, and healthy habits are solidified. Special care should be given during this time to your child’s oral health to avoid any problems that could be compounded in the future.

• Brush for 2 minutes twice a day with a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• For ages 3-6, it’s okay to allow the child to brush their own teeth, but parents should take a turn too.
• Avoid foods that contain high levels of sugar. Choose healthy snacks like fruits, cheeses, and vegetables.
• Drink plenty of water! Avoid juice and soft drinks whenever possible.
• Drink water with fluoride in it if possible. This will protect teeth and helps repair early damage to teeth.
• Visit the dentist twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings.
• Fluoride treatments keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy.
• This is the age to identify if orthodontics is necessary or advised for your child.

Ages 10-18

Adolescents and teens have more control over their own oral health. Hopefully they have built up good habits from a young age, but there are still important considerations for this age group.

• Continue brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Flossing between teeth should be done at least once a day.
• Dietary considerations should continue to be followed. Healthy meals and snacks, avoiding sugar, and drinking water when possible.
• Schedule dental appointments twice a year for routine checkups and cleanings.
• During this time, your dentist may identify a need for braces.
• Most orthodontic treatment begins around the age of 13, but evaluation begins sooner and application may also be sooner.
• Braces can be considered for correcting bite issues or cosmetic reasons.
• Traditional metal or clear aligners are available based on each individual case.

Orthodontics

Straight, healthy smiles are within reach for patients of all ages with our comprehensive orthodontic care. Whether you’re considering traditional braces or exploring more discreet options like clear aligners, our skilled orthodontists will tailor a treatment plan to suit your unique needs and goals. At Cornerstone, we believe that every smile is a masterpiece, and our commitment to excellence ensures that you’ll achieve the confident, radiant smile you deserve. Take the first step towards a beautifully aligned smile by scheduling a consultation with our orthodontic team today. Your journey to a straighter, more confident smile starts here at Cornerstone Dental.