How to Impress the Tooth Fairy
An INTERVIEW with Dr DELAUNAY, a dentist at the award winning practice -Progressive Dentistry in Fulham. In collaboration with nursery Lilibaert.
We all know that sugar is bad for you and flossing recommended.
But... what do you know about oral care for children?
Today, Dr Bruno DELAUNAY is going to enlighten us.
Why are baby teeth so important?
Too often I hear parents say: “It is just a baby tooth... We will brush them when the adult teeth are visible...”
As a dentist, this makes me shiver... Baby teeth are equally as important as adult teeth.
A lot of people do not know that when baby teeth are badly damaged, it can have a permanent impact on the “real” teeth underneath!
This means taking care of your children’s teeth is extremely important.
From which age should a parent start taking care of their children`s teeth?
Oral hygiene is extremely important at every age.
Oral hygiene starts immediately even before there is a sign of teething.
Each step of the way requires different needs, allow me to elaborate.
The first baby teeth, known as primary teeth, usually appears as early as 3 to 4 months of age, but really starts to erupt through the gums between the age of 6 months to one year. All 20 baby (or primary) teeth will usually have made their way out by the age of 3.
Pre-teething
Gently clean your baby`s gums after feeding. You can start by rinsing it with water.
You can also use a damp washcloth or a special baby toothbrush with a soft and small head.
Teething
Teething is a natural process that can be a bit painful and can make your child cranky.
As a parent, there are a couple of tips you can use to alleviate the pain.
Gently rub your child`s gum with a cool or wet pad or if old enough feed him cold solid food.
First tooth
As soon as the first baby tooth arrives, you can start brushing it with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use a small amount of non-fluoride toothpaste.
Brush the front and back of your baby`s teeth, twice a day.
At What age should a child visit the dentist?
At the first sign of a cavity, parents should make an appointment with their local dentist.
I would even suggest booking in a routine dental check before the age of 1.
DENTIST DELAUNAY`s GOLDEN TIPS
Hygiene
Integrate brushing your teeth into your daily routine, it should be as natural as taking a bath. Make brushing fun, an electric toothbrush can help with this or why not award your child with a golden star after each successful brushing session?
Eating Habits
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks, especially before bedtime.
Children reproduce their parents habits; good and bad ones; make sure you set the example.
Dentist
Introduce the dentist as “a friend of teeth”.
Do not introduce vocabulary such as: fear, evil, scary, needle, extraction, etc
Let us do the talking.
Visit your dentist once a year.
To maintain good oral hygiene throughout life, good habits should be established early on. There is nothing better to impress the tooth fairy then a cavity-free tooth!
