How to care for your child’s teeth and gums
In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Systemwide
offers the following tips to help you take good care of your children’s
teeth, courtesy of CIGNA Dental:
- Baby Bottle Syndrome is the number one cause of extensive tooth decay
in children under three years of age, and it can be usually be prevented
by not letting your child sleep with a baby bottle full of liquids such
as juice, milk or soda. If your child needs a bottle at bedtime for comfort,
fill it with water or use a pacifier instead.
- Your child should see a dentist as soon as his or her baby teeth appear.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a
dentist when the first baby tooth emerges, usually between the ages of
six months and one year. This first visit is critical, because it gives
you the opportunity to learn appropriate steps to assist in maintaining
your child’s oral health.
- Too much fluoride can damage a young child’s teeth. If a child
swallows too much fluoridated toothpaste, white flecks, called fluorosis
or mottling, may appear on the teeth. Children between the ages of two
and six swallow about 33% of the toothpaste on the brush, and those between
seven and 16 swallow 20%. Start your child off by brushing without toothpaste.
- Young children benefit most from using small, circular motions when
brushing their teeth.
These tips were provided by CIGNA, which administers the A&M Dental
and Dental HMO plans. If you have questions or would like more information,
talk to your dentist.
H.E.A.D.s Up is a monthly column that features articles on a wide array
of Health, Exercise And Diet issues. Information for these articles is
provided by health and wellness professionals from throughout the A&M
System. If you have questions or story ideas for this column, email Ruth McMullan.
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