Tooth decay can be prevented. Dental hygiene for children is the only effective solution for a healthy smile later. The way you will take care of the child’s teeth from the very beginning will influence the way they grow and how healthy they will be. This means more than how to clean them, but also protection from the factors that can harm teeth, as well as early collaboration with a specialist in pediatric dentistry.

Give baby’s teeth a healthy start!

Tooth Protection:

• It does not allow the child to drink milk, juice and other sweet drinks. Sugar from these beverages can lead to caries. Flat water is very good for 6 months children.
• Do not leave the bottle of milk in your child’s mouth without monitoring it.
• Babies who drink breast milk, especially during the night, after a few teeth have gone out, may have excess sugar in the diet, which can lead to the development of dental caries. When babies are breastfed during the day, milk is kept in the baby’s mouth less time than when fed with the bottle, so the risk of developing caries is lower.
• Healthy snacks and drinks are very important for children. Try to avoid too much sugar, especially between meals.
• Babies receive germs that cause tooth decay from other people, especially those who kiss them a lot or eat with them. If adults have clean and healthy teeth, the baby will also have healthy teeth.
• It is scientifically proven that children exposed to passive smoking develop more dental conditions than other children.
• Raises the baby’s upper lip once a month to look for the early signs of dental caries. Early signs of dental disintegration look like white lines or brown spots near the gum line or on the dental surface.

Teeth cleaning:

• Start to clean the teeth of the little one with the first tooth. Use a small and soft brush.
• Clean your teeth twice a day – after breakfast and before going to bed.
• Parents must supervise the child’s use of brush and toothpaste. By the age of eight, the child does not have the skills necessary to be able to provide complete hygiene, even if oral hygiene habits for children have to be developed from a young age.

Toothpaste:

• Fluoride is naturally found in food and water and is added to most oral care products such as rinsers and toothpastes.
• Using twice a day the fluoride paste is a very effective way to greatly reduce tooth decay.
• Teaches the child to spit the toothpaste after using it.
• Do not let the child swallow the toothpaste, it can cause excess fluoride.
• Do not rinse excessively. Fluoride can continue to protect teeth for a while after brushing, if the toothpaste is not completely rinsed out of the mouth.

Dental hygiene for children up to 18 months:

• Children between 0 and 17 months do not need toothpaste.
• They receive the required amount of fluorine in food and water.
• From birth until the age of 18 months, permanent front teeth are developing and if children swallow fluoride toothpaste, they may have white spots (fluorosis) on their adult teeth. To avoid this, the fluoride toothpaste should not be used in tooth brushing and should be kept away from children.
• If you live in an area without fluorinated water, you should contact your dentist for advice.

Dental hygiene for children aged 18 months to 5 years:

• Children between the ages of 18 months and 5 years must use a low-fluorine toothpaste.
• Research shows that some children swallow a lot of paste during the brush. Therefore, it is recommended to use a toothpaste with very little fluorine. Dental education for children is vital at this age.
• Use a drop of toothpaste twice a day in the morning and before bedtime.
• Paste tubes should be kept out of reach of children and should be used by an adult to avoid swallowing large amounts.

Dental hygiene for children aged 6 to 18:

• For children of 6 years and over, a quantity of paste used for an adult will be fine.
• Choose a fluoride toothpaste to suit your taste and budget.
• Toothpaste should be used twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime.
• Do not rinse excessively after brushing.
• Toothpaste should not be eaten / swallowed.
• The advice given by the dentist should be followed strictly.
• Call your dentist to determine your choice of fluoride toothpaste.

Tips for choosing a toothbrush:

• Use a toothbrush with a small head and a soft brush.
• Teach your child to clean his teeth, gums and tongue every morning and evening.
• Do not let the child use someone’s toothbrush.
• Keep toothbrushes in a clean, dry and airy place so it can dry between uses (you may need two brushes per person). Keep the toothbrushes apart so they do not touch each other.
• After brushing your teeth, the toothbrush should be carefully rinsed with flowing water to remove toothpaste, food pieces and plates.
• Replace the toothbrushes regularly and not just when they become clogged with paste.
• It also replaces toothbrushes after illness, such as colds and flu, or mouth infections.
• Follow personal hygiene practices such as washing your hands after going into the toilet and replacing the toothbrush if it falls on the floor or in the washbasin.

Child visits to pediatric dentistry should begin until the first tooth or first birthday occurs, whichever comes first. How often should you go to the dentist after the first time? Every six months? Once a year? Ideally, you should take the baby to the dentist every six months. It may seem exaggerated, but frequent visits are essential to the health of developing teeth.

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