Although baby teeth will eventually fall out around the age of 6, they still need maintenance and healthy habits. Children often develop toothaches, tooth pain, or decay.
Your child will become fussy and may act out if they cannot cope with the discomfort. Early age dental problems can be preventable by regularly visiting a Pediatric Dentist in Idaho Falls and following these simple tips:
- Do not give a baby sugary or sweetened drinks before their bedtime. Sugary liquids will accumulate on the teeth and wear the enamel of the tooth. After prolonged exposure, cavities or toothaches will result.
- Limit exposure to drinks that contain sugar (juice, Gatorade, milk, etc) to mealtimes. If your child drinks from a sippy cup all day, there is a much higher likelihood to develop cavities.
- Discourage thumb sucking after permanent teeth erupts between the ages of 2 and 4. Thumb sucking is known to cause developmental problems. A Pediatric Dentist in Idaho Falls can recommend a mouth appliance for more difficult cases.
- Every six months, it is advisable to find a Pediatric Dentist in Idaho Falls for a checkup. Early issues like decay or underdeveloped dental arches can be dealt with.
- Reduce frequent snacking time. The longer food stays in the mouth of a child, the more chances they have of decaying their tooth enamel. Have your child snack on nutritious foods that contain less sugar.
- Use a clean washcloth or wet gauze to wipe the teeth and gums for infants. This keeps cavity causing bacteria from forming.
A battle is being fought daily inside your young child’s mouth. Through prolonged exposure to sugar, bacteria begins to decay the enamel of the teeth. Once the enamel is damaged, a cavity forms, which leads to pain or aches. Tooth decay can be prevented by making sure we are brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Visit your local Pediatric Dentist in Idaho Falls to make sure your child’s teeth has not decayed.
The use of fluoride at regular checkups with your pediatric dentist can also assist in maintaining healthy teeth. What is fluoride? Fluoride is found in water and toothpaste. It acts on bacteria by preventing enamel damaging acid. Tooth enamel is protected by replacing lost minerals. By strengthening the enamel, fluoride prevents cavities.
Eagle Rock Dental Care works with patients of all ages and would love to earn your trust as your child’s pediatric dentist in Idaho Falls to ensure your child’s teeth development is normal and healthy. Call us with any question or to schedule an appointment at 208-523-5400 or click to schedule an appointment online now!
