My toddler's teeth
Get your toddler into a tooth-brushing routine, which should include always cleaning her teeth in the morning and before bed at night.
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At one time it was thought that milk teeth were not very important, but we now know that they are well worth looking after. First of all they guide in the adult teeth so that they grow in the correct position and secondly, if the primary teeth are lost through decay, the bone behind the teeth can be affected, eroding the support the adult teeth need.
Your baby will be teething for most of the second year so be prepared for the molars to be a bit upsetting. The first molars are usually cut between 12 and 15 months when the upper molars appear first and are followed by the lower ones. The second molars appear between 20 and 24 months, in the lower jaw first and then in the upper jaw. In general the later teeth are cut the less trouble they cause.
Once your child has all his teeth, give him plenty of chewy foods, and particularly fresh fruit and raw vegetables, to encourage the development of strong jaw muscles. As it happens this kind of food also has a cleansing effect as the fibres within them are shredded by the teeth. Take your child for regular check-ups.
Dental hygiene and care routine for toddlers
The mineral fluoride has been proven to improve dental health and to reduce tooth decay. All water contains some fluoride but in some areas fluoride is added to drinking water.
Dentists also recommend using fluoride toothpastes, but in areas where water has added fluoride children under seven may be advised to use toothpaste containing lower levels of fluoride to avoid taking in too much (excess may cause fluorosis, which damages the teeth). Check with your dentist. He or she may even recommend supplements but these should only be given under dental supervision.
Help toddlers with tooth brushing
Until your child has reached the age of about six or seven he won't be capable of cleaning his own teeth thoroughly so you'll need to help him. He may object to this at first, and just clamp his jaws firmly shut. The best way around this is to make it into a game using a disclosing tablet. When chewed this exposes plaque as a dense area of colour, which can be brushed off.
Dentists generally agree that it doesn't matter how a toothbrush is used, as long as it removes plaque. At one time we were encouraged to brush the teeth upwards and downwards so that the gum margins were protected. However, it has now been shown that the best method, especially for children who don't have a great deal of co-ordination, is small circular movements on all surfaces of the teeth.
However, make sure that the bristles have rounded tips and that they aren't too hard. If it is too hard it may cause the gums to bleed, then recede and the teeth to eventually become loose.
Always encourage your child to have a regular tooth-brushing routine, morning and evening. Don't feel they need to brush their teeth every time they have a sweet drink or a biscuit, but you can help by giving them a piece of cheese at the end of every meal. This makes the saliva alkaline and counteracts the sugary acid that erodes the protective enamel of the teeth and causes cavities.
Get your toddler to visit the dentist
Take your child for his first dental check-up before his third birthday, and make sure that this visit is as relaxed and pleasant as possible. It's important to take your child when his teeth are healthy, not to wait for any signs of problems.
Get your child used to the sight of the instruments and the smell of the surroundings by taking him with you when you go for your own check-up. If he can be trusted, and if your dentist has no objections, sit the child on your lap and let him watch while the dentist examines you. He'll no doubt be fascinated and will be delighted to copy your example.
Just before your child's visit play a game of going to the dentist and look into each other's mouths. Then, when you actually get to the surgery, prearrange for the dentist to look at your mouth just before he looks at your child's.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 03.11.2010
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