A Beautiful and Lasting Smile Starts with a Great Oral Health Habit

 Give your child a magical start by beginning baby’s oral care early. As early as four months, start by wiping gums with a soft washcloth after each feeding. This removes plaque and germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease. Once baby teeth come in, brush teeth at least two times a day with plain water and a soft bristle toothbrush. By using this kind of tooth brush, you can be sure that it will be gentle on your baby’s tender gums and the small oval shaped brush helps maximize surface area coverage. Schedule the first dental check-up as soon as first tooth is in. This will help your child get familiar with the dentist and the atmosphere. Once your child understands not to swallow toothpaste, start using a pea sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities. Having a wide variety of toothpaste with kid friendly flavors and tooth brushes with their favorite character designs will encourage your child to enjoy brushing. Try to break thumb sucking and pacifier habits by age four since this can affect tooth spacing. Schedule a regular dental check-up every six months. Reinforce a two-minute brushing at least two times a day once in the morning and before bed. Begin flossing as soon as two teeth touch. You can use a floss holder or help your child until they gain the dexterity so that they can do it on their own. Being proactive and an active participant in your child’s oral health will ensure that they can have teeth that can last a lifetime.
For more information, please call 661-255-2545. The office is located at 27420 Tourney Rd., Suite 270 in Valencia. You can also learn more at www.kimrosendds.com.