How to Properly Care for Children’s Teeth

More British kids seem to be having teeth trouble, a recent study suggests. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, the analysing arm of NHS England, says that tooth decay is the number one reason children aged 5 to 9 were hospitalised in 2013 to 2014. It estimates that almost 26,000 children underwent multiple tooth extractions within the year, a significant increase from around 22, 500 three years prior. The current figure translates to nearly 500 children a week.

This shocked dental practitioners nationwide, expressing concerns that sugary drinks and juices may have been causing rapid tooth decay among children.

This issue raises questions on how to properly care for your children’s teeth so that they don’t make any trips to the dentist any time soon. Children’s dentist Richmond answers this question for you. 

Here are five simple ways to care for your child’s teeth:

Have a Regular Teeth-Cleaning Routine

Many parents ask when to start brushing their baby’s teeth. The answer is to start as soon as the first milk tooth peeks out. This is usually at around six months or so. Brush your child’s teeth for around two minutes twice a day. NHS dentistry Richmond suggests using toothpaste containing 1,350 to 1,500 ppm fluoride as it effectively controls and prevents tooth decay. Supervise their brushing until the age of seven and make sure they don’t eat or lick toothpaste. Children under the age of three should use just a tiny amount of toothpaste. 

Make Sure They Brush Properly 

Food particles and bacteria can hide in tricky parts of the mouth so make sure you teach your child how to brush properly. Guide their hands when brushing and put a mirror in front of them so they can see how exactly their hands are moving.

It is important to thoroughly clean their mouth to prevent baby bottle tooth decay. This condition happens when a baby’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugars from fruit juices, sweet drinks, milk, and even human breast milk. 

Tame Your Child’s Sweet Tooth

Any good dentists Richmond will advise you to control your child’s intake of sweets because of the possible tooth damage it may cause. This will not only protect their pearly whites, it will also prevent diabetes. Replace sweet drinks and treats with nutritious alternatives such as water, cow’s milk, rice krispies, carrot cupcakes, and more. 

Take Your Child to the Dentist Regularly 

The first time the milk teeth appear, take your baby to clinics that provide quality dentistry Richmond so that the child becomes acquainted and comfortable with the dentist. Make sure your dentist is child-friendly and has a pleasant attitude. It is important to have your baby checked early on so the dentist can detect any oral health problems, if any. Establish a regular dental check routine and make each trips fun so that the child may grow accustomed to and positive about it. Don’t worry, NHS child dental care is free.