Flash Those Pearly Whites!

Dental care should begin long before your child’s first tooth develops. Although your baby’s teeth can’t be seen in the early months, they are formed, but have yet to erupt from the gums.

Poor dental hygiene promotes tooth decay. Left untreated, the decay may enter the underlying bone structure, which can affect the development of permanent teeth. In other words, your child’s teeth may be improperly positioned as he grows.

Sugar is Not that Sweet Now, is it?

Sugar consumption during the early stage of life (eg sucking honey-dipped pacifiers), accompanied with poor oral hygiene, is the dominant factor in causing tooth decay.

When Should I Start?

It is never too early to start taking care of your child’s teeth as early oral care will benefit him in his later years.

	Age 0-1 year	Age 2-6 years
What Can I do to Keep My Child’s Teeth Clean?	After feeding, wipe the baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth to prevent the build-up of bacteria.	When milk teeth develops, brush his teeth with peasize dab of toothpaste using soft children’s toothbrush. After snacking, remind him to brush his teeth or rinse his mouth with water. Change his toothbrush every three months as wornout bristles cannot remove plaque efficiently. Teach your child to floss. It helps remove foods that are stuck in between his teeth.

Simple Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

Avoid putting your toddler to bed with his bottle containing sweet drinks (eg milk or apple juice), as his teeth would be coated with the sweet liquid while he’s sleeping. Cultivate feeding with plain water instead, which is healthier. When offering him snacks, give him fruits and vegetables instead of sweets and ice-cream. The phrase ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is true.

Brush, Brush, Brush Your Teeth…

Brushing can help prevent tooth decay but you need to make sure your child knows how to brush properly. Here are some tips on brushing to maintain his mouth’s cleanliness:

• Brush at least twice a day, after waking up and before going to bed. Plaque build-up speeds up during bedtime due to lower saliva production.
• Teach proper brushing technique. Let him know that brushing only the front teeth will not guarantee a clean mouth. The sides and the back of the teeth are just as important in maintaining the cleanliness of his mouth.
• Don’t rush to brush. Spend at least 3 minutes each time he brushes.

I Don’t Wanna Go!

Dental experts recommend regular check ups at least twice a year, As much as most children (and even adults) dislike going to the dentist, early and regular oral care ensures less (painful) dental visits in the future!