Dr. Kami Hoss on Dental Care for the Young
Children require regular and appropriate dental care, just as adults do. Unfortunately, Dr. Kami Hoss has noticed that a lot of parents don’t really focus on their children’s oral care. He, and other experts like him, are working hard to make sure parents know just how important it is for their children to look after their teeth properly, and to have regular checkups. Doing so will help them to avoid a variety of problems later on in life.
photo/ Michal Jarmoluk via pixabay
Dr. Kami Hoss on Toddler Dental Care
It is quite common for parents to help their toddlers fall asleep by giving them a bottle of something sweet and warm, which actually isn’t good. Similarly, toddlers are not able to floss yet. Hence, parents should give their children plan water instead, while also cleaning the gums and teeth with a soft, warm, damp cloth. Doing so will wash off all the sugars and bacteria.
Dental Care for Older Children
When children grow older, it is important that they understand the importance of looking after their teeth properly. This will ensure that they develop good habits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Parents should continue to monitor how much sugar their children consume, decreasing it where possible. Soft drinks, snacks, chocolates, and sweets should be avoided as much as possible, as these are the main causes of dental problems later on in life. They can also lead to bad breath.
Daily Dental Care
Children should learn to brush twice a day and to floss daily as soon as they can. For many, that is all the dental care they need. The toothbrush should be soft and the toothpaste mild. Choose a toothpaste suitable for a child according to their age. Mainly, children have to learn how to properly brush their teeth. A dentist visit may be required for children to better understand what they should do.
When to Go to a Dentist
Children should start regularly going to the dentist as soon as they start to develop their first teeth. It is at this point that future problems can be identified and steps can be put in place to make sure these problems don’t occur. One of the key possible issues is proper alignment and cavities. The sooner those issues are addressed, the less problems children will have later on in life. Once a child has all their milk teeth, they should start visiting the dentist every six months, just like adults do.
Parents think that, if problems occur with milk teeth, it is not that bad as they have to be changed anyway. However, a lot of milk teeth stay in place until children are well into their teens. Cavities can also lead to significant and painful infections, and tooth issues can cause problems with both eating and speaking. Hence, regardless of how old a child is, regular dental visits are necessary to make sure they do not have any problems.
Author: Anwar Hossain
