Parents across the country are facing a serious challenge now, more than ever when it comes to raising their children amid stay-at-home orders, working remotely, and more. One of the many concerns parents have about their children’s well-being is that of their dental hygiene. If you have a young child, you may be wondering the best way to ensure his/her dental hygiene is taken care of, especially if you are unable to see a dentist for routine checkups at the present. Below, we have composed a simple guide to caring for your child’s teeth. Please read on to learn more.
From the moment your child is born, he has baby teeth, though they have not yet come through. If your child is at this stage, simply gently wash the inside of his mouth with a mouse gauze pad or washcloth regularly. Additionally, if you believe your baby’s teeth are causing him/her discomfort, you can soothe that pain by lightly rubbing his or her gums with a small, cool spoon or a clean finger.
If, however, your child’s first tooth has already come in, you should begin taking your child to the dentist. If your child is under 3, you can start brushing his or her teeth twice a day with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. In fact, the smear should be no bigger than a grain of rice. Once your child is three, you can expect him/her to have all 20 baby teeth.
Up until your child is 6 years old, you should use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. If you feel your child is ready, between the age of 3 and 6, you should begin teaching him/her how to brush under your supervision while you teach your child the proper brushing technique.
If you have any other questions regarding your child’s dental hygiene, please do not hesitate to give our Basking Ridge Dental Team a call.
Contact the Dental Associates of Basking Ridge
Dental Associates of Basking Ridge is a compassionate, gentle, and professional state-of-the-art dental practice serving Basking Ridge, Morris & Somerset County. Our office is always ready to greet our patients with a smile, take the time to answer any questions, and provide the quality dental services our patients expect. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. We look forward to serving you!
