If good habits indeed start at a young age, a child’s primary (or “baby”) teeth offer a fertile training ground.
Children learn by both example and doing. Early instruction on taking care of their primary teeth can create habits leading to a lifetime of good oral health.
As soon as a child is old enough to spit and not swallow toothpaste, parents can begin brushing their primary teeth with a pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Usually this begins after the child’s second birthday. Dr. Hoffmann can offer guidance about the type of toothpaste to use.
Parents should brush their child’s teeth until they are 6 years old. By this age, if not earlier, the child will want to do it themselves. The opportunity is ripe to teach them how – and how often – to brush. Don’t pass it up!
Brushing with water – no toothpaste – can begin as soon a child’s primary teeth emerge. Another good habit is to encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday. Prolonged use of a training (or “sippy”) cup can affect development of early teeth.
Bottles are a staple of raising babies. However, filling them with sugar water, juice or soft drinks can continually bathe a child’s young teeth in damaging substances. Sticking to formula, milk or breast milk is a smarter approach. Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles prior to sleeping.
For overall health reasons – not just dental – introducing children to a healthy diet early can reap long-term benefits. Vegetables, fruit and whole grains are staples. Sweets should be limited to mealtimes.
Granted, “baby” teeth don’t stay around very long. Usually all are replaced with permanent teeth by age 12. In many ways, though, primary teeth set the stage for healthy, properly-positioned permanent teeth. As importantly, they can help teach the practices to keep those teeth “permanent” for a long, long time.
