Kids and the Oral Health Connection

mdmpost — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:33:31 +0000

It is never too early to start educating your children about the mouth-body connection. If you instill in them good oral hygiene and eating habits from the beginning, you are making an investment in your children’s future health. Dr. Moiceanu loves working with children and teaching them the proper way to care for their teeth, and the sooner they begin receiving regular checkups, the less likely they are to develop a fear of the dentist and avoid seeking help for dental problems as adults. Preventive care is the key when it comes to ensuring that your children do not suffer a lifetime of oral health problems.

Oral Hygiene for Children

Good oral hygiene should start the day your child is born. After feedings, carefully wipe his or her gums with gauze. After the first tooth appears between 6 and 12 months of age, brush with a soft bristled toothbrush after each feeding and schedule your child’s first visit with Dr. Moiceanu. Between the ages of one and two, your child should receive regular checkups with Dr. Moiceanu. Around this time, when your child learns to rinse and spit, you can start letting him or her use a pea-sized portion of toothpaste containing fluoride. Optimal oral health is of a paramount importance for parents to pay attention to and learn about.

Dental Problems in Children

If you take great care of your children’s baby teeth, decay should never be an issue and the oral health of your child should be optimal. If cavities do occur, your child can lose baby teeth early or develop problems with the underlying permanent teeth. Losing teeth early may require an orthodontic consultation, as the spaces left behind may cause baby teeth to shift or permanent teeth to crowd.

Healthy Diet for Children

You should wean your children from the breast or bottle by their first birthday. Do the following to ensure that your children develop good eating habits that contribute to both a healthy mouth and a healthy body:

Feed them a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins.
Limit sugars and starchy foods, serving them only during a big meal to limit the possibility of tooth enamel erosion.
Limit snacking throughout the day. If your children must have a snack, provide nutritious, non-starchy foods such as cheese.
Never put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula, juice, or soda.

If you need more advice on keeping your child’s mouth and body functioning optimally, call Dr. Stefan Moiceanu today at (510) 758-7222 to schedule an appointment. Hilltop Family Dental serves patients in Richmond, San Pablo, El Sobrante, Vallejo, Pinole, El Cerrito, Hercules, Benicia, and the surrounding areas.

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