Promote Good Oral Health
Toddler's are constantly exploring their world and soaking up new information. Now is a great time to teach them habits that promote good oral health. Here are a few tips to get your started.
- Brush everyday with toothpaste containing fluoride. Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to decay. Use a thin smear for children under 2 and a pea sized amount for older toddlers.
- Don't share germs. Children aren't born with the bacteria that causes tooth decay, rather, it's transferred to them by adults. That's why it's never a good idea to share utensils or lick a pacifier clean!
- Limit sugar. Sugar produces bacteria, which then in turn produce acids that dissolve tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.
- No bedtime bottles. Juice, milk and even breast milk contain sugars that can promote tooth decay, especially during sleep.
- Discourage thumb sucking after age 3. When child suck their thumb or a pacifier after the age of 3 it can affect the alignment of their teeth and the development of their jaws.
- Visit the dentist! Toddlers can benefit tremendously from regular dental visits, the most important being the Age 1 visit.
If you start with these habits now, your child will benefit long after that wobbly walk becomes a confident stride!
