(The writer of this blog may have just aged themselves within the readers mind, as on second thought, I’m quite sure that most children fare far better than a quarter these days for wiggling their baby teeth loose! 🙂
That being said, truly some of our favorite smiles that walk through our Dakota Dental Family Dentistry door are those worn on the faces of (sometimes partially toothless) children.
And while nothing can make a parent happier than those sweet little baby teeth smiles, to many parents they may seem like disposable, little fake pearls that just do the trick before the important “real” gems make their appearance.
But reconsider your opinion of those little teeth that are much celebrated when they first appear and are wiggled into early wages later in childhood!
Experts in pediatric dentistry recognize the importance of baby teeth for chewing, speaking and speech development, jaw development, smiling and holding space for permanent teeth. If a child loses a baby tooth too early because of tooth decay or an accident, a permanent tooth may pop up prematurely and potentially come in crooked due to limited space and require future dental procedures.
And a little reminder from your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dentists that your child won’t lose their last baby tooth until they are 12 to 13 years old, so they’ll need to rely on them for over a decade. That’s why it’s important to take good care of your child’s baby teeth along with teaching them the importance of good oral hygiene.
Here’s how your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dentists suggest you treat your child’s baby teeth:
– Right after you get done calling Grandma and Grandpa to tell them about the new little discovery in your baby’s mouth, start brushing! Brush your child’s teeth with water as soon as the first tooth appears.
– Bring your child in to see the gentle family dentists at Dakota Dental as soon as your child’s first tooth pops through. We’ll show you how to care for your baby’s teeth and gums. It’s a great time for us to get to know your child and for your child to get to know us.
– Progress to flossing when two of your child’s teeth begin to touch.
– Dentistry for kids between the ages of two and three includes their first pediatric dentistry hygiene appointment. Your Dakota Dental childrens dentist will plan to clean, floss and polish your child’s teeth, as well as discuss the need for x-rays, fluoride and other treatments.
– Brush and floss your child’s teeth daily until your child is old enough to do this alone and once they’re old enough to brush on their own – still supervise! Children (even as old as eight) may lack the dexterity and coordination to brush and floss their teeth well.
And as is always the case, children learn more from watching than from what they’re told, so be a good example! Model good dental hygiene and have a positive attitude about visiting your Dakota Dental Apple Valley Dental Clinic.
Become what you want your child to be! If you want your child to enjoy good oral health and a beautiful smile – remember to take care of yours too!