Goodbye, Tiny Black Holes: Promoting Good Dental Hygiene in Young Children

A lot of parents find it hard to gauge when dental care is needed for their children. They are aware that cavities must be prevented, but they do not know the best way to avoid them

Oral hygiene must start before a child gets their first set of teeth. Here are some ways parents can promote healthy dental habits in young children.

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• Even before the child’s teeth appear, run a clean, damp cloth over the gums to cleanse the mouth of bacteria.
• When the child has two teeth that touch, parents can begin flossing them.
• Avoid the “baby bottle decay.” Do not train the child to fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice stuck in their mouth. As much as possible, parents should not let their children become “suck dependent,” unless it is for water or breast milk.
• Have the child drink a glass of water after consuming sweets.
• Patiently train the child to brush, floss, and rinse their teeth and mouth. 
• Let the child grow up without fear of the dentist by starting visits early.

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Say goodbye to tooth decay with a beaming smile. Domenick Coletti, DDS, M.D., is an accomplished oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Maryland. Visit this website to know more about his practice.