We all understand the importance of maintaining a healthy smile in adults. After all, there are no backup teeth available to replace the ones we have. Partially because of this, parents may underestimate the importance of a strong set of baby teeth in children.
These are not simply temporary structures that exist until the permanent ones come in. In fact, they provide a future road map for their adult teeth. Proper alignment can be harmed by any loss in kids, so do not underestimate their significance. Today, your Fort Bliss, TX dentist explains how you can help to keep your child’s teeth strong, building them a solid future!
They Need Extra Help
When you’re expecting or if you have a young child, there are a million different health issues for both them and the parents that are consistently on your mind. But some people tend to ignore the risk of decay for their children’s enamel.
Some may think that once the child has lost their infant dental set, that the previous condition no longer matters. However, children’s first teeth set a path that their later growth follows. Protect your child’s smile into the future!
Effort Is Rewarded
Since babies don’t have the same ability to swallow and close the mouth as adults do, young children require some additional help to keep their mouth clean. Bottle-feeding is a prime area where cautions should be taken. It is best to avoid using any form of sweetener onto a bottle or pacifier, such as honey or sugar. While that may get them to take it in the short-term, it cannot only damage dental tissue, but also promote poor eating habits as they grow.
Leaving them with a bottle in the crib can cause them to have sugars in their mouth sitting for hours. This means that bacteria are allowed to grow without anything stopping them. And your baby’s immune system certainly has enough to handle on its own! Using a cup itself is a beneficial thing for children to know. Start teaching them by the time they are around 6 months of age. The American Dental Association suggests a switch to a cup by their first birthday.
Take The Time
It might seem obvious now, but there are a lot of problems that can be associated with this condition. Baby bottle tooth decay often shows as brown splotches that will not wipe away. When this is left untreated, it can cause the child pain, so please do not disregard the symptoms.
This can mean malalignment in the future, which will most likely require othodontics for correction. While the situation might have not felt urgent, it can lead to seriously invasive and extensive procedures. So while I know you are always much too short on sleep, it is important to put that little bit of effort into keeping your child’s mouth safe.
Plan For Your Child’s Future!
Protecting their first set of teeth can give them a serious advantage in life. Call the staff at Fort Bliss Family Dentistry in Fort Bliss, TX at (915)895-3678 to learn more and schedule an appointment today!
