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The dentist told what to do so that the baby’s acquaintance with caries took place as late as possible.
The health of a child’s teeth is laid in the womb. Which, however, does not negate the need to carefully monitor oral hygiene from the very birth of the baby. Unfortunately, many parents do not know the intricacies of proper brushing or cannot cope with a child who does not want to brush their teeth. Where difficulties arise and how to cope with them, says a dental expert.
Mistake 1: delaying dental care for later
Most parents think that the first tooth is not a reason to buy a toothbrush. This is a very common mistake. Some simply do not know that it is time to start cleaning, or they clean the first time without a paste according to the recommendations of their grandmother or pediatrician. The paste actually needs to be used from the moment the first tooth appears. Moreover, expectant mothers during pregnancy need to visit the dentist once every trimester and before the baby is born, and ideally, at the planning stage, to solve problems with caries and other dental pathologies.
Mistake 2: brushing your teeth irregularly
As a child grows up, most parents don’t keep track of how often they brush their teeth. Children, due to their age, are not very responsible for hygiene issues: they may simply not brush their teeth or brush only in the morning, but not at night. In addition, childish restlessness affects the duration of the cleaning and the correct technique. It must be remembered that you cannot eat after the evening brushing your teeth, as plaque from food debris accumulates in the oral cavity, which is a favorable environment for bacteria to multiply. And bacteria are the main cause of tooth decay.
These are the most common mistakes, as well as the wrong choice of paste. For some, for example, you can use only courses, but not constantly, otherwise you can greatly harm the health of your teeth and oral cavity.
Mistake 3: the wrong toothpaste
Parents should be very careful when choosing a paste for their child, designed specifically for children and appropriate for age. It should not contain large abrasives such as calcium carbonate and sodium lauryl sulfate. And the fluoride content in children’s pasta should be several times less than in an adult. Do not use whitening paste regularly. It is advisable to use it for no longer than two weeks, and then replace it with the usual preventive one, otherwise there is a risk of injuring the enamel and causing an increase in the sensitivity of the teeth. I recommend choosing a toothpaste individually, having passed a preventive examination by a dentist.
Mistake 4: scaring your child with the dentist
Stories about a doctor who “gives an injection” or about “scary and terrible” bacteria that will settle in your mouth if you brush your teeth irregularly are a bad idea. On the contrary, try to interest the baby, show him an example, brush your teeth together. Just don’t shout or swear. It is better to talk to your child, find out what exactly he does not like in this process. You can come up with funny games, tell a fairy tale about each tooth, or pick up funny attributes – toys or a beautiful toothbrush. Use gadgets – timers or hourglasses, they discipline children and adults, motivate them to devote the right time to brushing their teeth. An interdental irrigator may be in the arsenal, but is optional.
Mistake 5: whitening
This applies more to adolescents and, of course, adults themselves, but one cannot but say about this mistake. I would not recommend using whitening strips. If used incorrectly, the gingival mucosa can be severely damaged. Home whitening is possible, but you should definitely consult with your dentist, choose the right bleaching system and make the right aligners in advance so as not to damage the gums. After bleaching, most people suffer from sensitization – the so-called hyperesthesia. There are remineralizing agents that can reduce this sensitivity. For example, Rocs minerals or Tooth mousse. Ideally, you should start using these products two weeks before whitening and continue after. Over time, the sensitivity should fade away.