When I had a badly decayed tooth extracted, I got a partial denture to fill in the gap. I didn't mind it at first, because I was just so happy to have my painful tooth out of my mouth. Over time, I began to get tired of taking it out at night. I asked my dentist if I was could get a dental implant, and he said that my gum disease did not make me a good candidate, but a fixed bridge may be a good option for me. I went with his suggestion, and I have no regrets. I love feeling like I have a real tooth again that I don't have to remove at night. I created this blog to remind other people with a missing tooth that they have many replacement options, and if one is not for you, then try another that may be right.
Tooth brushing is an important part of good oral hygiene, and as a parent it is your responsibility to teach your child these good health habits. Here are some tips to help you teach them the right habits and skills as they grow and develop and begin to visit your family dentist regularly.
Teach Them Early
A good part of ensuring your child grows up with good oral health habits is to start teaching them how to keep a healthy mouth as soon as possible. It is recommended to begin brushing their teeth as soon as their first tooth emerges. Use a non-fluoride toothpaste, as they won't know how to spit out the toothpaste at such a young age, and be sure to use a baby toothbrush with soft bristles.
It is recommended to take your child to their first dental check-up by their first birthday, but you can wait until they are two or three years old. On their first few check-ups, it may be helpful to sit your child on your lap in the dental chair to help them feel comfortable if they are having trouble.
During the first years of check-ups, your baby's dentist will likely only be looking at their teeth and showing them how their cleaning instruments work. However, this routine establishes a healthy oral regime to get them started for the rest of their life. If you skip taking your child to the dentist during these early years, it can increase their chances of oral health issues.
Help Them Form Healthy Habits
When your child is learning how to dress themselves, how to eat, and how to crawl and walk, they can also learn to brush their teeth on a regular basis. And as their parent, you can teach them. Forming habits such as daily tooth brushing should be an important part of a child's bedtime routine.
When your child is small and up through pre-school age, it is recommended for you to brush their teeth for them. This helps instill in them the right brushing technique and gets them used to the feeling of a proper tooth brushing. Be sure you don't scrub their teeth with the brush, but rather gently brush the bristles over their teeth.
When your child reaches school age, they can begin to practice brushing their teeth by themselves, with you helping them to make sure all the plaque is removed from their teeth. You and their dentist can monitor their independent brushing progress and establish guidelines for their learning.
Provide Them the Right Tools
It is also important to make sure your child has the right tools and equipment to practice their healthy oral habits. Provide your child with a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush and children's toothpaste as they are learning how to brush their teeth and form the habit. Give your child a step stool to use so they can view themselves in the mirror as they brush daily. Your family dentist may be able to help you find additional tools to aid your child's learning, such as a tooth-brushing timer to make sure they are brushing for the recommended length of time.
Contact a family dentistry office in your area for additional information.
Share19 September 2017
