Caring for your Toddler’s Teeth with a Highland Park Dental Practice

Toddlers continuously teethe until their second year. Molars are the most painful teeth to push through, with their being very big and blunt. They slowly begin to erupt between the ages of twelve to fifteen months. Highland Park dentists say that the teething process may cause great discomfort in toddlers.

Practicing Proper Oral Hygiene in Children

To ease the pain caused by teething, dentists suggest rubbing the child’s gums or applying a teething gel. Cold weather may make the pain worse, so it is important to protect children’s teeth from the biting cold by keeping them indoors or shielding the face. To protect their growing teeth from decay, it is advised to regulate a toddler’s diet. Highland Park dentists advise increasing a toddler’s intake of calcium, dairy products, and vitamin D to strengthen his teeth.

To reduce painful sucking during teething, as well as to prevent baby bottle tooth decay, feed children with a beaker, rather than a bottle. Avoid excessive snacking and stick to meal schedules, as this prevents the chances of food particles from breaking down and forming plaque on the tooth surface. It also pays to take out sweets and starchy food from a child’s diet though this may be quite a challenge to do. Carbohydrates and sweets are the leading causes of cavities and tooth decay. Lessening a child’s intake of these products also reduces the likelihood of tooth decay from developing.

Aside from these practices, ensure that your child is getting sufficient fluoride to protect his teeth. You can provide your child with fluorinated water, or have him undergo a fluoride treatment offered by a Highland Park dental practice when needed. Fluoride plays a crucial role in strengthening the enamel of your child’s teeth, protecting it against tooth decay and cavities.

However, make sure that your child is getting fluoride in adequate amounts, as too much can lead to fluorosis, a disease that causes mottling of a child’s teeth. Consult your family dentist before allowing your child to take any fluoride supplements, and ask what type of toothpaste is best to use for your child’s teeth. Likewise, make sure to start developing the habit of brushing in your kids while they are still young.

Children are advised to brush their teeth at least twice daily, making sure that their final brushing is done after their last meal for the day. At this early age, children should also be taught the importance of having their teeth routinely checked by their dentist. Start having regular dental consultations with your Highland Park dentist like Dr. Rich Rosenblatt to get your child used to visiting the dentist.