How to Protect Your Child's Teeth? A Care Guide from the First Year to Adolescence
(Approved tips by Aster Medical Center doctors)
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Your child's teeth are a treasure worth protecting! With the eruption of the first primary tooth, the journey of preventing decay and oral problems begins. Here is the complete care map for each age stage, with practical solutions for parents.
👶 Age Stage: 6 Months to 3 Years
1. Cleaning the first teeth: Using a small soft brush with children's toothpaste, teeth should be cleaned twice a day (morning and before bedtime).
2. Avoid nursing decay: Do not leave a milk bottle in the child's mouth while sleeping, even if empty, as this increases the activity of cavity-causing bacteria at night.
3. First dental visit: We always recommend visiting the dentist every 6 months starting from the eruption of the first tooth, usually between 6 to 12 months.
🧒 Age Stage: 3 to 6 Years
1. Teaching the child how to brush: You can use a 2-minute hourglass to make brushing a fun game for the child. You can also create a weekly brushing chart and reward them for sticking to it.
2. Maintaining a healthy dental diet: Try to protect your children's teeth by offering healthy, balanced meals like natural dairy products, vegetables, and fruits like apples and carrots, while reducing sweets and canned juices.
3. Extra protection: It is preferable to have fluoride sessions for children at the dentist every 6 months to strengthen tooth enamel and increase its resistance to decay.
👦👧 Age Stage: 6 to 12 Years
1. Monitoring permanent teeth: If a permanent tooth erupts behind a primary tooth, consult your dentist immediately to determine the best treatment method.
2. Early orthodontics: If your child suffers from crowded teeth, difficulty chewing, or mouth breathing, consult your dentist immediately before the problem worsens. Remember: the earlier the problem is detected, the easier it is to solve.
3. Sports mouthguard: If your child participates in contact sports like karate, football, or gymnastics, their mouth may be subjected to blows that could weaken or knock out teeth. A sports mouthguard can significantly reduce the impact of these blows.
Simple daily habits to protect your child's teeth:
- • Rinsing after medicine: Some children's medicines contain sugars that can lead to cavities if left on the teeth.
- • Replacing sweets with fruits: Ice cream products, for example, can be replaced with frozen natural fruits for safer options.
- • Regular dental visits: Visiting the dentist every 6 months helps detect problems early and solve them quickly.
- • Cleaning the tongue: Many people overlook the importance of cleaning the tongue, but cleaning it with gentle specialized tools protects your child from dental and gum problems.
💡 Always remember: our children's behavior reflects our own. Let your child see you brushing your teeth regularly so they will imitate you!
Emergency warnings that require immediate medical consultation:
- A permanent tooth gets knocked out due to an accident or collision (store it immediately in a cup of milk or saline solution and head to the clinic within an hour).
- Continuous and persistent toothache for more than a day.
- Appearance of any noticeable swelling in the face, jaw, or gums.
Would you like to check on your child's dental development and have a preventive fluoride session?
Book an appointment for your child now