Milk teeth will accompany the children for a few years, so it is advisable to take care of them since they start dating to ensure proper oral health in childhood. That is why we offer you ten tips for caring for baby teeth, the decalogue to keep teeth healthy.
The basis is to ensure that the teeth are clean as long as possible and create habits that accompany the child during childhood and, thus, also later. Putting a good foundation since childhood will mean that in the future we will not have to visit the dentist more than desired.
- Brush your teeth three times a day, once after each main meal. It is especially important that you never forget two brushes: the one in the morning, after breakfast, and the one in the evening, before bedtime. Going to bed with dirty or badly washed teeth makes it too many hours with bacteria acting in the mouth. In the case of babies, we remember that bottle caries is favored if they go to sleep with him, as well as if the pacifier is sweetened with honey, sugar ...
- Let the child participate in oral hygiene according to their age, and encourage them to brush their teeth. At a minimum, at night there should be control by the parents and review with the brush, although at the beginning it is convenient to supervise each wash. A correct brushing technique will prevent remains in the mouth.
- When the child has enough control and knows how to spit well after brushing, use a natural or low fluoride infant mouthwash. Do not use mouthwash or toothpaste for adults, as it contains an excessive amount of fluoride for children. Fluoride is necessary but not abused, and for the little ones a toothpaste without fluoride is better, because they still do not know how to spit well and can swallow the cream. If the child takes too much fluoride, fluorosis may occur. mild. In children under six years of age this excess of fluoride could cause this anomaly of the oral cavity, especially of the dental pieces, where spots could appear, even with long-term effects. Fluoride intake in young children could result in the final teeth also coming out with specks or discoloration.
- It is advisable to floss at night, especially between the molars since it is the most prone to the appearance of cavities in children and the brush does not get to clean this area properly. Of course, with the help of the parents, since for the little ones to acquire a correct technique, years can pass, and there is also the risk of flossing and wounding the gums.
- After brushing your teeth, you can only drink water. Any sugary food or drink they eat after brushing their teeth will spoil the task. As we have indicated previously, the child should not go to bed with juices, milk ... If they drink snacks between meals, better that they do not carry processed sugars: the most recommended is the fruit or natural juices.
- Do not abuse sweets or sugary and sticky foods, or sugary drinks such as juices or soft drinks. When they are taken, it is better if it is at home, where they can brush their teeth after ingestion and thus counteract the harmful effects of these sugars.
- Maintain a healthy diet. with abundant dairy, fruits, vegetables ... and not abuse of sweets or industrial pastries, which are at the tip of the food pyramid, that is, they only have to be consumed occasionally.
- If children do contact or risk sports, they should use a mouth guard to avoid fractures or injuries. In any case, it is not uncommon that, even without performing these types of exercises, children suffer certain mouth bumps. That is why we remind you what it is convenient to do in the event that a child breaks a tooth, as well as what to do if a tooth is removed. If an injury that affects the teeth has occurred, adequate follow-up should be carried out to prevent complications.
- You must go to regular checkups with your pediatric dentist. At least one annual visit is recommended since the child's teeth come out. In many places there is an oral health program that facilitates these visits, as they are covered by the health system.
- In case of having any pathology should be treated to prevent major problems or improve the development of the child. The follow-up of the pediatric dentist is also important in this case.
It is also important to note that it is not good to brush your teeth in any way. Alone the right tooth brushing It allows to eliminate the remains of food and the microorganisms that adhere to the teeth, to clean the dental surfaces. Thus, the action of saliva that contains chemical elements that protect tooth enamel is favored.
The gums, palate and tongue should not be left out of oral hygiene, and they should also be rubbed or massaged with the brush to remove debris.
Through all these recommendations for the care of baby teeth We can avoid or reduce future problems, from dreaded cavities to orthodontics. Dental caries is a major health problem in childhood, but there is the possibility of its prevention being carried out from an early age. And is that the cause of almost all oral problems, except those associated with birth problems, usually lies in the neglect of some elementary hygiene standards.
