Do you have to chase your toddler around the house with a toothbrush trying to brush their teeth?
Do you have to chase your toddler around the house with a toothbrush trying to brush their teeth?
Do you have to constantly monitor your kids to ensure that they brush their teeth in the morning and at night before bedtime?
Do your children try to avoid brushing their teeth at night, saying they already brushed them in the morning?
Most children think brushing their teeth is a tiresome routine that can be avoided once in a while. No wonder so many children-specific toothpastes are available now, in different flavors, with colorful pictures of their favorite Disney characters, to try and lure them into brushing their teeth regularly.
The importance of dental care from day 1 of our life cannot be stressed enough, says eminent dentistDr. Suhrab Singh – head of Neo Dental Care, a world-class dental clinic in Noida.
How soon should kids start their dental care?
Preventive dental care starts even before your baby’s first tooth emerges. The teeth may not always be visible, but that does not mean they are not there. In reality, your baby’s teeth start to develop during the 2nd trimester of your pregnancy.
Dr. Suhrab Singh, an accomplished dentist in Noida, says that a baby is born with 20 primary teeth, a few of which are fully formed in the jaw. It would be best if you started their dental care even before they start teething.
Following are tips on how to take care of those tiny chompers:
- Take a clean washcloth, dampen it and gently run it over your baby’s gums to get rid of dangerous bacteria.
- When your baby starts teething, brush their teeth using a baby toothbrush. Use fluoride toothpaste that has the IDA (Indian Dental Association) or ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Approval. You need only a pinch of fluoride toothpaste (to minimize the swallowing of toothpaste, if any) with a bit of water.
- You can start flossing your baby’s teeth when 2 of the teeth touch. Please ensure that you do it under the direction of your dentist.
- Your baby should start learning to spit while brushing by age 2. Please do not give your child any water to swish before spitting because it increases the likelihood that they will swallow toothpaste.
- For kids aged 3 and above, restrict the amount of toothpaste to a pea-size.
- Always keep an eye on children under the age of 8 while they brush because they tend to ingest toothpaste.
The highly-skilled dental surgeon, Dr. Suhrab Singh, adds that tooth decay can also affect infants.
Baby teeth damage might result from nursing a baby to sleep or letting them sleep with pacifiers in their mouth. Sugars from formula, milk, or juice left on a baby’s teeth for a long time might erode the enamel (the outer layer of your tooth that protects from tooth decay).
This may result in “baby bottle teeth decay” or “bottle mouth.” The front teeth may become stained and pitted as a result of this. The deteriorated teeth may develop cavities, and they may need to be extracted in extreme circumstances.
What are the dental problems in teenagers?
As a teenager, you are still growing and developing, and that includes your teeth and gums. It is not just baby teeth that fall out and get replaced by permanent teeth. Your jaw and mouth continue to grow and change until you are about 20 years old.
Many growing children become careless about their dental routine as their life activities expand. They start believing that missing a dental routine now and then will not make a difference. That is why dental problems are common in teenagers.
Here are some of the most common dental problems in teenagers:
Tooth decay:
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children and adolescents. It happens when food and drinks high in sugar or acids attack the tooth enamel, causing cavities. If left untreated, the infection may spread deep into your root canals and require a root canal treatment.
Noida’s acclaimed dentist, Dr. Suhrab Singh, says it is crucial to seek dental assistance at the earliest because if the infection is too severe and the teeth cannot be saved, you will require a tooth extraction.
Gum disease:
Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. It is most often caused by plaque, a sticky film of food and bacteria that forms on your teeth.
At Neo Dental Care, often regarded as the best dental clinic in Noida, we offer non-surgical and surgical gum treatments.
Tooth erosion:
This happens when the tooth enamel is worn away by acidic foods and drinks, such as sports drinks, soda, and citrus fruits. It can also be caused by GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or bulimia.
Dr. Suhrab Singh frequently provides a dental crown treatment for people needing to protect their tooth that is decaying or has been fractured.
Misaligned teeth:
This is when your teeth do not line up correctly. It can be caused by thumb sucking, pacifier use, or injury.
You will need to go for cosmetic dentistry to get this condition corrected.
Dental care tips
You can help prevent most of these problems by taking care of your teeth and gums. Here are some tips:
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
Floss every day.
Eat a balanced diet and limit sugary and acidic drinks.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Conclusion
Oral health is essential for many reasons. Our teeth help us to chew our food, and they also play a role in our speech. Our teeth also help to keep our jaws healthy and strong. These and many other reasons make it crucial for us to take care of our teeth throughout life.
Parents closely monitor their child’s dental routine until they reach their teens. However, maintaining good dental health in teens is just as vital as when they were younger. You want to ensure that your kids maintain good oral hygiene practices throughout adolescence, such as brushing their teeth twice daily, flossing, visiting the dentist, eating a balanced diet low in sugar, and drinking fluoridated water.
Do not neglect even a minor dental issue just because it is not causing much pain or discomfort. If not attended to, it may worsen and require severe dental intervention.
If you or a loved one has any dental issues, please visit Noida’s top-notch dental surgeon, Dr. Suhrab Singh, for safe, reliable, and effective treatment.
