Why take care of baby teeth is essential? When to start brushing your teeth and how to do it effectively? Thumb and pacifier can damage the dentition? The answers.
It is important to take care of the baby teeth, the health authorities also recommend early adopting good habits of oral hygiene to prevent the development of cavities.
Milk teeth: why should we take care of it?
Even if they will eventually fall (between 6 and 13 years depending on the teeth) and be replaced by permanent teeth, baby teeth are essential in children. Indeed, it is they who will define the face of the toddler, but especially they will guide the final teeth so that they grow straight and in the right position. Finally, they are essential for eating and for language development.
From the onset of the first baby teeth, that is to say about 6 months, you must start cleaning the teeth of baby.
For this, use a wet compress or a toothbrush impregnated with a small trace of fluoride toothpaste, of course, adapted to the age of the child. On the frequency side, a cleaning each evening before bed is enough.
Then, as soon as the first temporary molars appear, you can set up at least a classic daily brushing.
Tips for good teeth brushing
To avoid cavities nothing like brushing teeth. Indeed, washing your teeth helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that grows on the surface of your teeth.
Good actions:
Place the toothbrush against the gum and move it to the tooth with small movements.
Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth.
Repeat the same operation on the inner faces of the teeth and then on the masticatory faces.
Brush the upper teeth then the lower ones.
Between 0 and 3 years, brushing should be done by an adult. Then, between 3 and 6 years old, the child can try alone under the guidance of an adult, depending on the child's abilities.
Note: change the brush every 3 months, when the hair is twisted, brushing is much less effective!
Which toothpaste to choose?
When choosing a toothpaste for children, always check that the dose of fluoride it contains is appropriate for its age. A precaution that avoids the risk of fluorosis.
So, which fluoride dosage depends on the baby's age?
From the first teeth to the age of three: the fluorine dosage must be less than or equal to 500 ppm.
From 3 years old: a 500 ppm fluoride toothpaste.
From 6 years old: fluoride toothpaste between 1000 and 1500 ppm.
Thumb or pacifier can it influence the evolution of the dentition?
Your baby sucks his thumb, his fingers or a pacifier? Do not panic, sucking is a natural reflex that reassures the little ones and make them feel relaxed. However, in some cases, this reflex can cause problems with the positioning of the teeth and the growth of the jaws.
To avoid possible teething problems, it is advisable to lose the habit of the thumb or the nipple towards 2 years or earlier, and to avoid that it continues beyond 4 years. If it persists beyond this age, make an appointment with a dentist.
Consult a dentist before 1 year
Consult a dentist is essential to identify very early children with dental fragility, and thus to put in place appropriate preventive measures. Thus, the health authorities recommend a first visit between the age of 6 and 12 months.
Also, feel free to check if you spot a decay. In babies, they must be treated quickly.
Note: from 6 years, and every 3 years until 18 years, the health insurance offers for your child a consultation at a dentist 100% supported. Any necessary care will also be fully supported.
It is important to take care of the baby teeth, the health authorities also recommend early adopting good habits of oral hygiene to prevent the development of cavities.
Milk teeth: why should we take care of it?
Even if they will eventually fall (between 6 and 13 years depending on the teeth) and be replaced by permanent teeth, baby teeth are essential in children. Indeed, it is they who will define the face of the toddler, but especially they will guide the final teeth so that they grow straight and in the right position. Finally, they are essential for eating and for language development.
From the onset of the first baby teeth, that is to say about 6 months, you must start cleaning the teeth of baby.
For this, use a wet compress or a toothbrush impregnated with a small trace of fluoride toothpaste, of course, adapted to the age of the child. On the frequency side, a cleaning each evening before bed is enough.
Then, as soon as the first temporary molars appear, you can set up at least a classic daily brushing.
Tips for good teeth brushing
To avoid cavities nothing like brushing teeth. Indeed, washing your teeth helps remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that grows on the surface of your teeth.
Good actions:
Place the toothbrush against the gum and move it to the tooth with small movements.
Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth.
Repeat the same operation on the inner faces of the teeth and then on the masticatory faces.
Brush the upper teeth then the lower ones.
Between 0 and 3 years, brushing should be done by an adult. Then, between 3 and 6 years old, the child can try alone under the guidance of an adult, depending on the child's abilities.
Note: change the brush every 3 months, when the hair is twisted, brushing is much less effective!
Which toothpaste to choose?
When choosing a toothpaste for children, always check that the dose of fluoride it contains is appropriate for its age. A precaution that avoids the risk of fluorosis.
So, which fluoride dosage depends on the baby's age?
From the first teeth to the age of three: the fluorine dosage must be less than or equal to 500 ppm.
From 3 years old: a 500 ppm fluoride toothpaste.
From 6 years old: fluoride toothpaste between 1000 and 1500 ppm.
Thumb or pacifier can it influence the evolution of the dentition?
Your baby sucks his thumb, his fingers or a pacifier? Do not panic, sucking is a natural reflex that reassures the little ones and make them feel relaxed. However, in some cases, this reflex can cause problems with the positioning of the teeth and the growth of the jaws.
To avoid possible teething problems, it is advisable to lose the habit of the thumb or the nipple towards 2 years or earlier, and to avoid that it continues beyond 4 years. If it persists beyond this age, make an appointment with a dentist.
Consult a dentist before 1 year
Consult a dentist is essential to identify very early children with dental fragility, and thus to put in place appropriate preventive measures. Thus, the health authorities recommend a first visit between the age of 6 and 12 months.
Also, feel free to check if you spot a decay. In babies, they must be treated quickly.
Note: from 6 years, and every 3 years until 18 years, the health insurance offers for your child a consultation at a dentist 100% supported. Any necessary care will also be fully supported.
