Making sure your child will have excellent oral hygiene of their primary teeth as an adult starts when they are very young. Pediatric dental care keeps kid’s mouths free from disease and tooth decay that could cause major problems down the road. Dentists in Birmingham Alabama can help train parents from the time their child is an infant until they have reached young adulthood to prepare them for a long life of oral health.
Good oral hygiene practices should start as early as infancy. Whether you are bottle feeding or nursing naturally, you should start to include some type of cleaning routine as soon as possible. Dentists recommend that before any teeth have actually erupted, it is helpful to wipe the gums with clean, dry gauze or a wet, soft baby washcloth. When teeth do start to come in, keeping them clean is a top priority. The use of the appropriate tools is very important. Make sure you purchase a mild toothpaste meant for a child and a toothbrush that is child-sized with soft bristles.
Be sure to schedule your child’s first visit with Dr. Michael S. Anglin Birmingham Alabama by the age of one and no later than the age of two. The dentist will be able to keep your child’s teeth healthy by removing any excess plaque that you may not be able to reach at home and any small bits of food that can be stuck between the teeth. These important parts of the dental office visit are preventative and will stop bacteria from growing. Bacteria could eventually lead to other diseases in your child’s mouth that could cause major problems such as gum inflammation which is very painful and tooth decay that could lead to a need for fillings or even extractions.
Seeing a professional pediatric dentist is also important for the parent. The dentist can give to parent valuable professional information and tips on how to care for their child’s teeth at home such as the best way to brush and floss. Another topic that the dentist may go over with the parent is eating habits and the best foods to feed kids for good oral health. Dentistry for children is important because it sets up children and parents for healthy, successful dental visits for years to come. Visit www.birminghamkidsdentist.com for more information.
