Proper dental care for children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Khanh Nam - Doctor of Dental - Jaw - Facial - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Dental care for children should be done from the time the first teeth come in, ensuring healthy teeth for children to develop comprehensively, ensuring the overall health of children.

1. Age of teething - Function of baby teeth

Baby teeth normally start to erupt 4 lower incisors at about 6-7 months old and complete set of baby teeth from 3-4 years old. From 6-8 years old, start replacing 4 lower incisors. In this stage, the first molars (the 6th teeth) begin to grow and the permanent teeth are completed at 12-13 years of age.
Function of baby teeth:
Crushing food Aesthetic pronunciation Keep space for permanent teeth.

2. Harm of improper dental care for children

Not taking care of children's teeth properly can lead to the following diseases:
Tooth decay Gingivitis Inflammation around the teeth Loose teeth When children have dental diseases, their mouths often have a bad smell. Toothache causes anorexia, more severe can cause insomnia, weight loss, prolonged can lead to malnutrition, affecting the whole body health of children.

3. How to properly care for children's teeth

Dental care for children should be done regularly, right from the time the first baby tooth erupts. Early oral care habits help children have healthy teeth and prevent oral diseases.
For children who have not yet teethed : Parents clean the baby's gums with a clean towel with water twice a day or after breastfeeding. When your baby's first teeth start coming in, use a clean towel to wipe the front and back of the teeth. Dental care for 1-year-old children: At this time, children can use a toothbrush for 1-2 years old and brush their teeth with clean water. Dental care for children aged 18 months: Children can use low-fluoride toothpaste. Use a small amount of toothpaste and instruct your child to spit it out after each brushing. Dental care for preschool children: From 4-5 years old, children begin to learn how to take care of their own teeth. When children are not able to clean themselves, parents need help in taking care of their teeth. Parents let the baby sit on his lap or stand behind, let the baby's head tilt back and brush his teeth. Brush gently by rotating to clean the surface of the teeth. Strong force should not be used because of damage to enamel and gums. Take care to brush around the gum lines of each tooth. Brushes should be changed every three months or if the bristles show signs of wear.
Each stage of a child's development has an age-appropriate oral care. Children should be taken to the dental clinic for regular dental check-ups every 6 months to promptly detect and treat oral diseases.
Besides, parents should also pay attention to choosing the right toothbrush for their baby and practice hard brushing habits from a young age to have strong teeth.

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