{"id":668,"date":"2016-02-17T09:00:41","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T14:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/?p=668"},"modified":"2016-08-06T17:30:12","modified_gmt":"2016-08-06T21:30:12","slug":"childrens-dental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drwolnik.com\/blog\/childrens-dental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"What Every Parent Should Know about their Children\u2019s Dental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"mom<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and in its honor, we thought we\u2019d share the answers to some frequently asked questions for parents concerning their children’s dental\u00a0health. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how to teach your kids good brushing habits, or at what age to start taking them to the dentist, read on and we\u2019ll answer those questions and more!<\/p>\n

When\u2019s the right time for my child\u2019s first trip to the dentist?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As a parent, you\u2019re no stranger to milestones. Some of the most important have to do with your child\u2019s health and wellness, among them, their very first trip to the dentist. So, when is the right time to schedule their first dental appointment?<\/p>\n

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry<\/a>, a child should see the dentist when their first tooth comes in and no later than their first birthday. When you see that very first tooth making its unscheduled appearance, it’s time to call on your pediatric or family dentist.<\/p>\n

Is it okay to use toothpaste to brush my child\u2019s teeth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes, in fact, the American Dental Association recommends using a small smear of fluoride toothpaste<\/a> to brush your baby\u2019s teeth as soon as the first one appears.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re child reaches the age of three, it\u2019s recommended that they graduate to using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste until the age of 6. It\u2019s important to keep the amount of toothpaste your child uses within these recommended limits to avoid the possibility of tooth discoloration.<\/p>\n

What effect does thumb sucking have on a child\u2019s teeth?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thumb sucking is a completely normal part of a child\u2019s development, offering them feelings of comfort and well being. There\u2019s no cause for alarm if you\u2019re infant enjoys sucking his or her thumb, so don\u2019t worry!<\/p>\n

While thumb sucking is common in infants and toddlers, if prolonged, it can lead to protruding teeth, bite problems, and jaw alignment issues. If the behavior persists past the age of three, parents should actively discourage the behavior to avoid the long-term negative effects.<\/p>\n

You might consider opting for a pacifier as a replacement for thumb sucking at an early age. Pacifier habits are easier to break, presumably because you can take them away. By contrast, their thumbs are sticking around for the long-haul.<\/p>\n

How do I teach my child good brushing habits?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are three main things to remember in order to teach your child positive oral health habits:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Start early<\/strong> \u2013 Even when they\u2019re too young to understand what\u2019s happening, clean your baby\u2019s mouth and gums with a wet cloth or an infant toothbrush (with just water) at bath time. Not only does this prepare your baby\u2019s mouth and gums for the brushing that\u2019s to come, it helps parents get into the routine of brushing their\u00a0child\u2019s teeth every day.<\/li>\n
  2. Include your child in the process<\/strong> – Your child is much more likely to enjoy teeth brushing if they feel like they have a hand in the process. If they’re old enough, let them choose the color of their toothbrush when you\u2019re picking it out at the store. If their fine motor skills allow, let them pick up their toothbrush and\/or toothpaste from its holder during your twice-daily tooth brushing routine.<\/li>\n
  3. Make brushing your teeth fun!<\/strong> \u2013 As an adult, you know that when something\u2019s fun, you want to do it again and again. Apply this to your child\u2019s teeth brushing routine by adding an element of fun so they can\u2019t wait until the next time they get to brush their teeth! Try this catchy tune about teeth brushing<\/a>, or use one of these great dental health games and activities for families<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Children’s Dental Health Services in Parma Heights, Ohio<\/h2>\n

    Proper oral health is an important part of early child development, so keep asking questions and getting answers. If you live in the Parma Heights area and want to schedule a dental visit for your infant or toddler, call Dr. Wolnik at (440) 888-5055<\/strong>, or book an appointment straight from our website<\/a> (click on the green \u201cBook an Appointment\u201d button).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It\u2019s National Children’s Dental Health Month, and in its honor, we thought we\u2019d share the answers to some frequently asked questions for parents concerning their children’s dental\u00a0health. If you\u2019ve ever wondered how to teach your kids good brushing habits, or at what age to start taking them to the dentist, read on and we\u2019ll answer… Continue Reading ><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[175,36,186],"tags":[192],"yoast_head":"\nChildren's Dental Health | Parma Heights, Ohio | Dr. Wolnik<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Children's dental health services in Parma Heights, Ohio! 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