The enjoyment of lifelong oral health and wellness starts the moment the primary teeth begin to break through your baby’s gums. Teaching and modeling good oral habits will encourage your child to value their dental health and make taking care of their teeth and gums a priority throughout their life. Dr. Tufa recommends that children begin visiting our family dental practice on Westborough by the age of 1, or soon after the first tooth is visible. These early visits are important for several reasons:
- They provide the opportunity for our team to monitor your child’s oral development and alert parents or caregivers to any possible concerns that could impact the structure of their smile, dental health and speech development.
- Early visits help young patients become familiarized with the dental office environment, building their confidence in receiving the dental care they need.
- Early and regular dental visits can significantly reduce the incidence of tooth decay, gum disease and other dental concerns that affect patients of all ages.
A healthy, comfortable smile is important for your child’s development and overall health in many ways. Their sense of confidence in their appearance, the ability to speak clearly and even enjoy their favorite foods can be detrimentally impacted by poor oral health and hygiene. Helping your child develop a good oral hygiene routine at home will support their dental health for the long term and help them avoid cavities, gum disease and other problems.
- Daily tooth brushing: parents and caregivers should brush a young child’s teeth with them until early elementary school age to demonstrate proper technique and ensure they are covering all surfaces.
- Daily flossing: we can recommend easy ways and tools for flossing your child’s teeth so they can learn how to do it themselves as they grow.
In addition to brushing and flossing, teaching your child the benefits of a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessive sugar can support good dental health and physical well being.