Caring for your child’s dental health: A must-do list

The dental health of your child is so important, and it’s crucial to start good oral health habits right from infancy. By following this checklist from Natomas Crossing Dental Care, a Sacramento dentist, you can help ensure your child maintains good oral health as they grow.

Infancy

• During infancy, it’s essential to gently clean your child’s gums using a washcloth or a small amount of gauze even before their teeth begin to emerge.

• Encourage a healthy diet by ensuring your child eats only nutritious foods and drinks plenty of milk and water, while avoiding juice and sugary drinks.
• Schedule your child’s first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth emerges, but no later than their first birthday. Remember to continue with regular dental checkups and provide teething aids like frozen teething rings or cool spoons to alleviate teething pain.

Toddlerhood

• As your child transitions into toddlerhood, begin teaching them to brush their teeth around age 2, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Supervise their brushing routine as they may need assistance up to age 5.
• Use a child-sized toothbrush with soft bristles and teach them the proper brushing technique, starting with the inside surfaces of the teeth, then the outside surfaces, and finally the chewing surfaces.
• Establish a bedtime brushing routine to ensure they brush their teeth even when they’re tired.

School-aged child

• As your child grows into school age, continue to encourage regular brushing and flossing along with routine dental checkups.
• If your child participates in sports or PE classes, make sure they wear a properly fitted mouth guard to protect their teeth.
• Promote healthy eating habits by preparing balanced lunches that exclude sugary foods and drinks. Review the school cafeteria menu with your child, encouraging healthier food choices.

This infographic has all the information you need on good dental care for your child.