Keeping your babies teeth in tip-top shape is more important than you may think.
Research shows that children who develop tooth decay at a young age are much more likely to have dental decay in their adulthood.
Getting your children actively involved in the act of brushing and caring for their teeth will instill a healthy attitude for their future.
Considering almost 31 per cent of children consume sugary foods and drinks everyday it is not surprising that the average Irish four year old has 4.6 missing or filled-in teeth.
Here are our helpful tips to avoid the cavities!
Regular Tooth Brushing
Okay, so it seems obvious that tooth brushing is needed to keep your child’s teeth shiny and healthy but did you know that that teeth should be brushed from the moment they first emerge?
Purchase a soft toothbrush for your 0-2 year old and brush their teeth with water. Avoid toothpaste in very young children.
Once your baby is old enough to hold their own toothbrush, they should be encouraged to do it themselves, although it is important to supervise them to make sure that their teeth are properly cleaned. In children over two, use a pea size drop of toothpaste twice a day. Avoid flavoured toothpaste designed for children and instead stick to a mild mint flavour.
Limit the Sugar
Needless to say, fizzy drinks and sweets should be limited to help keep your baby’s mouth healthy. Appropriate drinks for your child are milk and water. All juice should be watered down.
Be wary of yoghurts and other foods that may have more sugar than you think and try to reduce snacking between meals.
Visit Your Dentist
Your baby should be visiting the dentist from the age of one to prevent cavities and keep their teeth healthy. Bringing your children to the dentist at an early age will encourage the annual habit and help prevent any fears arising later in life.
