Taking care of your kid’s baby teeth and keeping them strong and healthy is essential. Baby teeth or primary teeth hold space for adult teeth. Taking care of your child’s teeth will protect them from dental problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, or malocclusion. Pediatric oral health consists of two components, namely preventive care at the dentist’s office and preventive care at home. 

Columbia Pediatric Dentistry helps provide preventive care for pediatric patients to improve their oral health. 

Exploring Preventive Pediatric Care

A family dentist or a pediatric dentist offers preventive care for patients from early childhood to adulthood and senior citizens. The preventive measures taken for young children include: 

• During the first dental visit, your child’s mouth will be examined to check for caries or any orthodontic concerns like crowding overbite, etc. 
• The pediatric dentist will track the jaw and tooth development.
• Professional cleaning will be performed to remove plaque and bacteria. 
• Your child’s primary teeth will be coated with topical fluoride to protect the tooth enamel from decay. 
• The dentist will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques and will address any parental concerns.
• Dietary counseling and strategies to stop thumb-sucking and the use of pacifiers will be recommended to the parents. 
• When your child’s molars erupt, the pediatric dentist will provide dental sealants to seal the tooth from bacteria, food particles, and harmful acids. Dental sealants are important tools to fight against tooth decay. 

Oral care for children at home 

Parents play a crucial role in keeping their child’s oral cavity healthy. Good preventive care at home must include the following:

Diet

• Parents should provide children with a healthy, well-balanced diet.
• Sugary foods and continuous snacking should be discouraged.
• Alternatives like cereals, carrot sticks, and yogurt should be included. 

Healthy oral habits 

• Discourage the use of pacifiers and habits like thumb-sucking.

• Inculcate good oral habits in children that pave the way for a healthy oral cavity in the future. 
• Avoid sharing utensils with their children to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Guide the children about proper brushing techniques, using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste (above 3 years)

Feeding alternatives

• Avoid breastfeeding or giving a milk bottle to the child while sleeping. 
• Use sippy cups instead of baby bottles to prevent the pooling of sugar near the teeth.

Parents play a crucial role in maintaining their child’s dental health, especially during the formative years when primary teeth are developing. Collaborative efforts between parents and dentists are key to providing preventive pediatric care.