Dental Health

Baby teeth can last until the teens and are very important for:

• Eating
• Proper jaw development
• Guiding adult teeth into place
• Speaking clearly
• Looking good

Start healthy habits early

Healthy habits lead to good dental health. Follow these tips to protect your child's baby teeth:

• Brush your child’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Your child will need your help with brushing and flossing until they are able to write, not print, their own name.
• Use a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste on a small soft toothbrush. Massage gently at the gumline, and brush the outside, the inside and the chewing surface of all teeth.
• Daily cleaning with fluoride toothpaste is important because fluoride can prevent cavities and stop existing cavities from getting larger.
• When the teeth are touching and brushing is well established, floss daily. Ease the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss against each tooth, and gently scrape up and down.

Sipping and snacking
Tooth decay can happen when a child sips or snacks frequently, or for prolonged periods of time. Snack at scheduled times, not less than two hours before mealtimes.

Milk, fruit juice, any food or sweetened drinks all have sugars in them that can cause tooth decay. Decay can result if the teeth are in contact with any of these for long periods of time. Sticky foods are particularly troublesome because they remain on the teeth for a long time. Water is the best thirst quencher and will not contribute to decay.

Where to look for tooth decay

Look in your child’s mouth once a month. Check all sides of the teeth. The first signs of tooth decay are whitish lines on the teeth along the gumline or brown areas on the teeth. If you suspect a problem consult your dentist.

When should I take my child to the dentist
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that your child see the dentist at least once a year. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits. If you notice something with your child’s mouth or teeth that concerns you, consult your dentist no matter when they last saw the dentist.

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