children’s dentistry Foxrock

Little Patients Near Foxrock Learn The Importance Of Looking After Their Teeth

Baby teeth are not, as often thought, a chance for your child to ‘test the water’ with their oral health. Losing a baby tooth early can have a drastic impact on the formation and development of a child’s face. Letting a child skimp on their oral healthcare at young age can also lead to bad habits developing, which might end up being responsible for losing teeth that don’t come back in later life! To be blunt: Children’s dentistry is quite important.

Let’s begin at the beginning

A child’s teeth start emerging in the womb. Once their teeth become visible (which will be sometime after they are out of the womb!) it is important that you start to core for them immediately! You are going to be the one cleaning your child’s teeth for quite some time. This period is crucial, however, as it can help develop a child’s attitude to oral health. Try brushing their teeth at regular times: After breakfast and before bed are popular times! Make sure you don’t skimp on your own oral health either! Set a good example and, hopefully, your children will follow.

The practicalities of cleaning a baby’s teeth

Firstly, get hold of a child’s toothbrush as these have smaller heads and more gentle brushes. Put a dollop of toothpaste on the brush and sit the child down on your knee with their head placed against your chest. Then simply brush their teeth, gently, in little circles for about two minutes. Note that two minutes is the recommended brushing time of all ages! Once your child’s teeth start emerging, we thoroughly recommend you get them checked by a dentist.

Dietary advice

Kids love sweets. Sadly, it can be what we love that hurts us most. It isn’t just those infamous bonbons that rot milk teeth however, starchy foods such as bread and pasta can be just as damaging! Bacteria is always present in the mouth and it feeds on sugar and starch, producing plaque from them and wreaking havoc on those pearly whites. Teaching kids to enjoy healthy snacks such as low fat yoghurt, hard fruits and vegetables can help prevent plaque from forming in the first place! For more information on children’s dentistry please contact the team at Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock.

Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock Care about Children’s Dental Health

Want to know the best way to look after your children’s teeth? It’s as easy as A – B – C!

A is for … ADVICE. As a parent, it is important to know that you are doing the right thing for your child. Taking your child to regular dental check-ups at Dublin18 Dental Care near Foxrock is important, because at these appointments you will be able to get all the advice you need to help ensure your child’s teeth are healthy, strong and well looked after. Dentists draw upon their expert knowledge and years of experience to help you make informed choices about your child’s dental health care. Regular visits to the dentist will help familiarise your child with the practice, reduce their nerves and minimise the risk of developing dental phobia.

B is for… BRACES. Deciding whether or not your child needs orthodontic treatment can be a difficult decision, but the importance of braces should not be under-estimated. Braces can help correct tooth alignment problems, such as gaps, crowding or abnormally shaped teeth. They also correct bad bites, including Overbites (when the upper teeth significantly overlap the bottom teeth), Underbites (when the lower set of teeth overlap the top teeth) and Crossbites. Properly aligned teeth not only improve your child’s confidence and self-esteem, they also ensure that your child can eat and speak properly and maintain good oral hygiene in later life. If your son or daughter is worried about wearing the traditional metal braces, ask their dentist about some of the more discreet treatment options, such as our ‘invisible’ braces.

C is for… CLEAN. When it comes to young children and oral hygiene, it is important to establish a good routine. Teeth should be brushed twice a day – once in the morning and once at night before bed. The recommended brushing time is two minutes, and you could even try setting an egg timer to make the process more fun for your child and to let them know when they can stop. There’s also a good selection of novelty toothbrushes out there to make brushing more appealing for children. To strengthen your child’s teeth and prevent tooth decay, it is important to buy toothpaste that contains fluoride and to monitor their sugar intake.