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Oral Hygiene Begins Young

So many of our adult patients come to us with teeth and gums that are in bad shape due to lack of proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits. More often than not, the state of their mouths can be at least partly traced back to childhood. They never learned the importance of brushing and flossing every day and dental checkups every six months. And their sloppy habits continued into adulthood, when they began paying the price with pain, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.

If you have children, the habits you establish for them early on will serve them well for the rest of their lives. And the younger they are when they start an oral hygiene routine, the better.

At Dores Dental, we encourage you to bring baby for her initial checkup by the age of one, or when the first tooth erupts. And from that point on, we should see her every six months.  

To schedule a children’s dentistry appointment in Longmeadow, MA, call 413-241-3995.

 

Oral Hygiene Doesn’t Require Teeth

Much of oral hygiene is about consistency. Setting those habits early so kids understand it’s an important part of their daily routine. And this can start even before the first tooth emerges.

Keep baby’s gummy smile clean by wiping it gently with a damp cloth. This removes bacteria that can begin to decay a tooth before you even realize it’s in the process of coming in. It also gets your child acclimated to a dental-care routine.

 

Once the First Tooth Emerges, Switch to a Toothbrush

You should start using a toddler toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice once the first tooth come in.

We know that getting young children to cooperate can be a challenge, but there are a few things you can do to make this part of their daily routine a little more fun.

  • Allow your child to choose his or her own toothbrush, and try different toothpastes until you find one he or she likes.
  • Two-minute tooth brushing songs make the time go by faster.
  • Brush together, so your child can see you model good oral hygiene.
  • Motivate your child with a sticker chart or another type of reward.

 

We Make Dental Appointments Fun for Kids

Visiting the dentist can be scary for little kids. But at Dores Dental, we go out of our way to make it an experience they’ll actually look forward to.

  • You can hold your child on your lap during the cleaning and exam.
  • The doctor will be happy to answer any questions you have about cleaning your child’s teeth, pacifier use, teething, or nutrition.
  • Don’t worry if your child is a bit fussy! This is normal and we know how to handle it.

To ensure the visit goes smoothly, we suggest scheduling a young child’s appointment for a time when he or she is generally well rested and in a good mood. Make sure you feed your little one beforehand.

 

At Dores Dental, we love seeing kids of all ages. For children’s dentistry in Longmeadow, MA, fill out our convenient online form or call our office at 413-241-3995.

 

 

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