5 Tips For Childhood Dental Issues: Building Healthy Habits Early

We all want our kids to have healthy teeth, don’t we?! If you’re looking for the best way to take care of your child’s teeth from a young age, you’re on the right track! With a proper dental routine and establishing healthy habits, you can help them avoid common dental problems and build strong, healthy teeth for life. In this blog, we’ll share some easy and practical tips for childhood dental issues, how to deal with them, and most importantly, how to prevent them. But first, let’s see what major dental problems children tend to deal with.

What Are the Major Dental Problems in Children?

Kids can face a few common dental issues as they grow up. Luckily, most of these problems can be prevented with good habits. That’s why it’s important to know the common dental issues in childhood and ensure they won’t be dealing with them once they’re grown up.

Tooth Decay (Cavities)

This is the most common dental problem in children. It happens when the bacteria in your child’s mouth break down sugars from food and drinks and produce acids. These acids attack the tooth’s surface (enamel) and can cause holes or cavities. Kids who eat a lot of sugary snacks, drink sweetened beverages, or don’t brush their teeth properly are more likely to get cavities. Baby teeth are especially vulnerable because the enamel is thinner than adult teeth.

Gum Disease (Gingivitis)

Gum disease isn’t just for adults; kids can get it, too! Gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease, causes redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums. It’s usually caused by a sticky layer of bacteria called plaque. It builds up on the teeth and gums when they’re not cleaned properly. If your child isn’t brushing and flossing regularly, plaque can irritate the gums, leading to gingivitis.

Additionally, gingivitis can be influenced by genetics passed down from parents to children. That’s why a pediatric dentist needs to monitor your child’s dental health to detect these problems early on. 

Tooth Sensitivity

Some kids may experience pain or discomfort when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet. This is called tooth sensitivity. It can happen for several reasons, such as thinning enamel, cavities, or brushing too hard. Kids who drink a lot of acidic drinks like soda or fruit juice may also wear down their enamel, making their teeth more sensitive.

Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use

Thumb sucking and using pacifiers are natural habits in babies, but if these habits continue as children grow older, they can affect their teeth. Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can cause problems like misalignment of teeth or changes in the roof of the mouth. These issues can make it harder for your child’s permanent teeth to come in properly. As a result, your child may need orthodontic treatments or braces in the future. 

This is why professionals recommend starting weaning your child off pacifiers and discouraging thumb-sucking by the age of 3. Remember that your encouragement needs to be gentle. Also, it pays off to offer substitutes like a comfort toy to help with this transition.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding is another issue that some kids experience, especially at night. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but stress, anxiety, or even misaligned teeth can trigger it. Grinding can make the enamel weak, cause sensitivity, and even lead to jaw pain or headaches. If your child is grinding their teeth, it’s important to visit a dentist to check their dental condition and recommend the best treatment. Moreover, it’s also helpful to keep an eye on your child’s stress levels and ensure they’re relaxing before bed with calm activities like reading.

1. Start Early: Do Not Wait Until the First Tooth Appears

Many parents think they can wait to start caring for their baby’s teeth until the first tooth shows up. However, good dental hygiene should actually begin much earlier. Taking care of your baby’s gums and preparing for the first tooth’s arrival is important in building lifelong dental habits. Here are other advantages of starting a dental routine early: 

• Cleaning your baby’s gums and teeth teaches them that oral care is important.
• Dental care can easily become part of their daily routine. 
• It prevents common dental issues like early tooth decay and gum infections. 
• You can also ensure a smoother transition when their first teeth come in.

How to Care for Gums Before Teeth Appear

Even though your baby’s teeth aren’t visible yet, their gums still need attention. Bacteria can build up on the gums, even in a toothless mouth, which could affect how their first teeth come in. So, here’s what you can do: After each feeding, take a soft, clean cloth or gauze, dampen it with water, and wipe your baby’s gums as gently as possible. You can also use a soft, rubber finger brush designed for babies to massage the gums. 

2. Brush Twice a Day: Get Them Used to Toothbrushes 

As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, it’s time to introduce brushing. Here’s how to make tooth brushing effective and an enjoyable experience:

1. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head for infants and toddlers.
2. Fluoride prevents cavities and strengthens enamel, but you don’t need much. Just use a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3 years old. For kids 3 and older, you can increase the amount to a pea-sized dollop. 
3. When brushing your child’s teeth, use gentle, circular motions to clean all surfaces of each tooth. 
4. The back teeth can be tricky for young children but are often where cavities develop. So try to focus on that area more.
5. Also, brush the tongue to remove bacteria and keep their breath fresh.

Young children don’t have the coordination to brush effectively on their own until around age 6 or 7. Before then, parents should help them brush to make sure all areas of the teeth are cleaned. As they get older, tell them that it’s time to brush on their own. However, you may want to supervise to ensure they’re brushing thoroughly.

3. Establish a Dental Routine: Make It Fun and Consistent

It goes without saying that having a dental routine is important for kids, as it helps keep their teeth healthy and strong. When children brush and floss regularly, they can avoid dental problems and learn to take care of their teeth for life. Plus, regular check-ups with the dentist can catch any issues before they become big problems. Here’s an idea: Make your child’s dental care a family activity. Parents and kids can brush together and share a laugh. There are so many other ways to make dental routines fun for children and make sure they’re keeping it for a lifetime. 

What Should a Child’s Dental Routine Include?

To start off on the right foot, make sure to include the following activities in your child’s routine. 

• Brushing teeth
• Flossing (As soon as two teeth touch)
• Regular dental checkups
• Using mouthguards (if necessary)
• Having a healthy diet

How to Make Daily Dental Routine Fun for My Child?

1. Let your child pick a toothbrush with their favorite character or color. 
2. Set a timer for two minutes (the recommended brushing time) and challenge your child to brush for the full time. 
3. You can also play a short song while they brush to keep them entertained. 
4. Come up with a story where your child is a superhero fighting off sugar bugs or tooth monsters. 
5. Use kid-friendly toothpastes that come in flavors like strawberry or bubblegum.
6. Brush with all family members. It can be a fun bonding moment and show your child that everyone takes care of their teeth.

Why Should I Avoid Bottle at Bedtime?

When your child sleeps, saliva production decreases, which means the sugars and acids can stay on their teeth longer. Therefore, it’s best to avoid giving a bottle right before bed. Instead, try to establish a bedtime routine that doesn’t involve a bottle, such as brushing their teeth and reading a story together. If your child is already used to a bedtime bottle, gradually switch to a routine that ends with a sip of water after brushing.

4. Keep Regular Dental Checkups: Make It a Habit

Children should start seeing a dentist around their first birthday or when their first tooth appears. From then on, scheduling a visit every six months allows the dentist to monitor their oral development, clean away any stubborn plaque, and apply protective treatments like fluoride when needed. Making these appointments part of your family’s routine helps your child feel comfortable at the pediatric dentistry clinic. 

When to See a Pediatric Dentist for the First Time?

Either when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday, they can have their first dental visit. Early visits allow the dentist to check for any early signs of dental issues and prevent future problems. Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s dental care, so they know how to examine, clean, and treat young teeth in ways that are comfortable and stress-free for kids. Besides routine checkups every six months, you should also schedule an appointment if you notice any issues, such as tooth pain, sensitivity, bleeding gums, or signs of cavities.

Tips for a Child’s First Dental Visit

We understand how stressful dental visits are for children. All you need is the proper preparation to make them a positive experience. These tips will come in handy when it’s the time to introduce your child to their dentist:

• Schedule the appointment at a time when your child is well-rested and not hungry. Morning appointments usually work best.
• Talk to your child about the visit in a fun, positive way. For example, tell them the dentist will “count” and “shine” their teeth to make sure they’re strong and healthy.
• There are plenty of children’s books and videos that introduce the idea of a dental visit.
• Avoid using words that might sound scary, like “hurt” or “drill.”
• Bring their favorite toy along to help them feel more secure in the new environment.
• Kids are excellent imitators, so you may want to bring them along to one of your own dental checkups to watch you calmly go through the visit.

5. Be Careful About Their Diet: Fuel Them with Healthy Snacks

A balanced diet is crucial for a child’s oral health, as the foods they eat impact their teeth and gums as much as brushing and flossing. Sugary and starchy snacks can stick to teeth, feeding the bacteria that lead to cavities and gum issues. We know it’s hard to eliminate sugary treats entirely. Instead, you can focus on healthy, tooth-friendly snacks. Save sugary treats for special occasions and avoid letting kids sip sugary drinks for long. As an alternative option, encourage them to have water as their main drink to keep them hydrated.

What Are Tooth-Friendly Snack Choices?

As mentioned earlier, drinking water is a healthy habit that should replace sugary drinks. But what about their snack time? Here are some healthy options. 

• Crunchy fruits like apples and vegetables like carrots and celery.
• Dairy products that are high in calcium, like yogurt or cheese.
• Nuts and seeds (ensure the nuts are age-appropriate and don’t pose a choking hazard).
• Foods like whole-grain crackers or bread.

Final Word

Building good dental habits early in life is one of the best ways to ensure a child grows up with a healthy, happy smile. Starting early with brushing, setting up a proper daily routine, and keeping up with regular dental checkups all work together to protect their teeth and gums. It might take effort and time. However, all these steps help your child avoid common dental issues and make oral care a positive part of their day.

At Woodbridge Smiles Centre, we have a team of friendly pediatric dentists who know how to handle and treat your child’s dental issues. They specialize in children’s dentistry, providing a comfortable and caring environment to make visits enjoyable and stress-free. They’re also ready to answer your questions about your child’s dental routine and all other concerns you may have. Schedule an appointment with us today to give your child a strong start for a lifetime of smiles!

FAQs

How to brush 1 year old teeth with toothpaste?

For a 1-year-old, use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush with a smear (about the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. Gently brush all surfaces of the teeth twice a day, once in the morning and before bed. To make brushing easier, you can hold your baby in your lap or sit them on a comfortable surface and tilt their head slightly back. Brush gently in circular motions, and be sure to focus on the front, back, and chewing surfaces of each tooth.

When should my child start using fluoride toothpaste?

Your child can start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth appears, typically around 6 months old. Use only a tiny smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) until age 3. After that, increase to a pea-sized amount. Introducing fluoride early, in small amounts, is safe and beneficial.

At what age should children start flossing?

Children should start flossing as soon as they have two teeth that touch, usually between the ages of 2 and 3. Flossing can remove plaque and food particles from areas that a toothbrush can’t reach. Parents should help them with flossing until they have the dexterity to do it on their own, usually around age 8 or 9.