Following provided by Crest
Children’s
teeth begin forming before birth. As early as 4 months, the first
primary, or baby teeth, erupt through the gums. All 20 of the primary
teeth usually appear by age 3, although their pace and order of
eruption varies.
Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6. This process will continue until approximately age 21.
|
|
ORAL HEALTH FOR CHILDREN
To help ensure oral health and a lifetime of good oral care habits:
- Limit children’s sugar intake
- Make sure children get enough fluoride, either through drinking water or as a treatment at the dentist’s office
- Teach children how to brush and floss correctly
- Supervise brushing sessions and help with flossing, which can be a challenge for small hands
|
MAJOR OBSTACLES TO CHILDREN'S ORAL HEALTH
Babies
- "Baby bottle tooth decay"
– Wipe gums with
gauze or a clean washcloth and water after feeding. When teeth appear,
brush daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
– Put child to bed with a bottle of water, not milk or juice
- Thumb sucking
– Not a concern untl about 4 years of age or when permanent teeth appear; after this time, it could cause dental changes
- White spots on teeth
– As soon as the first tooth appears (at about 6 months), begin
cleaning the child's teeth daily and schedule a dental appointment
Toddlers
- Fear of the dentist
– Hold the child in the parent's lap during the exam
- Difficulty creatingan oral care routine
– Involve the whole family – brush together at the same time each day to create a good habit
Gradeschoolers
- Love of sweets
– Give children health snack options, like carrots and other fresh vegetables, plain yogurt, and cheese
- Stains from antibiotics
– Speak to the pediatrician before any medication is prescribed
Teenagers
- Braces
– Make sure that teens brush well around braces, using a floss threader to remove all food particles
- Oral accidents from sports
– Encourage children to wear mouthguards during sports
|
The following are key preventive measures to preserve oral health through childhood:
Fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel and
resist decay. This may include fluoride supplements in areas where
drinking water is not optimally fluoridated. Be sure to ask your
dentist about supplements to determine if they are needed.
Dental sealants to provide a further layer of protection against cavities. Sealants
are made of plastic and are bonded to the teeth by the dental team.
A fun oral care regimen to help encourage children to brush more regularly. Kid’s Crest® Cavity
Protection is a fluoride toothpaste with Sparkle Fun flavor just for kids. And
the Oral B® Stages® Kids’ Power Toothbrush makes brushing fun, with popular Disney
characters and a patented oscillating Powerhead.