Oral health in toddlers and children is more important than some people think. Good oral hygiene of primary (or baby) teeth effects the outcome of adult teeth and creates good habits at an early age. Some people seem to think that sugary or acidic juices and milk at bed time are okay because they are just dealing with "baby" teeth. Primary or "baby" teeth are important because they help guide the permanent teeth into place. Decay can also be transferred from tooth to tooth if they are touching each other. Which means that decay can be transferred from primary tooth to permanent tooth during the eruption process. Untreated decay can also lead to an abscessed tooth on primary teeth just like adults can get! Your child can have servere dental pain and need to have a procedure done called a pulpotomy, a pulpotomy is like a baby root canal! A good rule of thumb is to give your child juice or milk (milk even contains sugar!) with meals but limit them to water throughout the rest of the day and always brush your childs teeth after their last sugary drink for the day!
We all know the brushing rules such as small amounts of flouridated toothpaste if your child is under the age of three and trying to prevent them from swallowing any flouridated toothpastes, but did you know that you should also use small circular motions with a toothbrush on your children just like you do to your own teeth? Letting them brush themselves and using a back and forth scrubbing motion could be detremintal to their gums. It's always a good idea to help them brush until they perfect their own fine motor skills. A good suggestion that I've heard is to let your child brush his or her own teeth followed by a thorough cleaning from Mom or Dad afterwards until your child is old enough to write in cursive (food for thought). We also suggest that you start seeing your dentist for regular check ups when your child is around age 2!! See you soon! :)
-Angie, Dental Assistant for Dr. Kim and Dr. Cho at Chehalis Family Dental
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