New West Hartford parents may be surprised by the American
Dental Association’s recommendations on infant oral care. Parents are advised
to begin brushing their baby’s teeth as soon as the first teeth emerge. After
all, brand-new teeth are just as vulnerable to cavities as older teeth.
Parents are
encourage to use a cloth and a smidgen of toothpaste (about the size of a grain
of rice) to wipe each tooth. As more teeth come in, it becomes more critical
for the teeth to be brushed after each meal or, at least, twice a day.
It is vital to select
the proper toothbrush, in order to make brushing time as pleasant as possible.
A soft bristled brush is best with a small amount of toothpaste. Infant and
toddler-sized toothbrushes with a small head of bristles are beneficial. Also,
there are circle and triangular-shaped brushes that allow your toddler to walk
around with their brush with less chance of injury in case of a fall.
If the
toothpaste is causing an unpleasant struggle, brush without toothpaste. The
goal is to remove food parts that will create bacteria followed by plaque and
then cavities.
When two teeth
touch, it’s time to floss. Flossing is critical to make sure no food is lodged
between the teeth. Proper flossing requires fine motor skills which most youth
don’t develop before age six or seven. Parents need to assist with flossing
until they are sure their child can do it effectively.
Until the child
is old enough to properly brush his or her teeth, they should receive adult
supervision and guidance. Instilling the proper brushing and flossing practices
will reap lifelong benefits. While it may seem that supervising them is time
consuming, remember that it’s making a daily habit that will protect their
health. Also, dental expenses related to poor oral hygiene will be avoided.
Your child’s
first dental visit should be within six months of the first tooth appearing and
no later than their first birthday. It may seem early, but just as your West
Hartford pediatrician sees your baby regularly to make sure their physical
health is on track and counsel you about your vital role, you can count on your
dentist to look out for potential issues and counsel you about how to help your
child keep a healthy smile.
Seek your
dentist’s counsel regarding pacifiers and sippy cups, nighttime bottles, and
x-ray safety. Dentist can advise parents with older children about sealants,
tooth protection for athletics, and orthodontics.
If you live in
the Hartford area and don’t yet have a trusted family dentist, call the office
of Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD at 860-561-2121 to
schedule your child’s dental appointment with Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil. By starting young, your child
will become familiar with our West Hartford dental practice and our friendly
staff, ensuring that he or she never develops a fear of the dentist.
Be sure to check
our website at DoctorBasil.com for more specifics about our
services. We provide full service smile design, general dentistry, Zoom whitening, Invisalign, implants, dental crowns
and porcelain veneers.
Keep
smiling,
Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private
practice dentist with offices in West
Hartford Center and Downtown
New Britain, Connecticut. She is a Clinical Instructor
at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her
regional “Best Dentist”
and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental
Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121
