All babies are beautiful. But babies with exquisite smiles stand out. Regrettably, a lot of kids have dental caries by age 2. This is mainly because of parental neglect on their children’s dental care. Parents think that a visit to the dentist can be delayed for when the kid already has her permanent teeth.
But dental caries should be avoided at all costs. Not only are they ugly, caries are also one of the main causes of undernourishment among kids. Children with a bad set of teeth find it challenging to eat, therefore sacrificing a lot on their sustenance during the toddler years when there is a lot of need for it so kids can enjoy active play and gain a boost for their brain development.
Dental caries are also more regular among youngsters who continue bottle feeding beyond two years of age. This is because the sweetness of milk can speed up the formation of tooth decay, especially when kids bottle feed to calm down themselves to slumber.
The first off thing a sound dentist will suggest is to changeover to the training cup straightaway. The sooner the kid is weaned from bottle feeding, the better. If the baby is having challenges, particularly as she uses bottle feeding to nap, then parents can replace milk with water.
A sound dentist will also recommend applying fluoride liquid on the teeth to coat and strengthen the teeth against dental caries. Sometimes, baby’s teeth are especially sensitive. Their molars have deep crevices, and these are the bacteria’s favourite camping ground. So it is critical for parents to encourage the toddler to brush her teeth, and to see the dentist during regular visits.
Were you terrified of seeing a dentist as a kid? Then you can relate to why a child is unwilling to open her mouth. After all, it is never comfortable to have someone scrutinise your mouth or drill an instrument into your tooth. But with your proper guidance, the kid can develop a healthy acquaintance with the dentist. Make the first visit purposeful. Watch your child. If she is positive about having the procedure done, then go ahead. Otherwise, do not pull her into the chair. This can be traumatic, and can be hard to amend.