The oral health care begins shortly after the child is born. Babies require oral hygiene to avoid mouth irritation and tooth decay. Dentists treat all sorts of patients according to the dental issues they suffer from. As per a study, 15% of the babies suffer from tooth decay at the age of 9 months and by the time they reach there first birthday, they have cavities. This increases up to 40% as the age increases.
Most of the mothers are unaware that maintaining good oral health must start from the moment their babies are conceived. This is because the dental diseases can be transmitted from the mother to the baby in the womb. After the child is born, cleanse the inside of his/her mouth with a clean cloth after every feeding.
The most important step towards prevention of tooth decay in babies is their diet. Breast milk does not lead to tooth decays till the time solid foods are introduced. Take care that the child does not have the bottle in mouth all through the day and even while sleeping. It is an ample invitation to the bacteria into his mouth and may result is tooth decay. Thrush is a fungal infection caused by yeast and it may appear in the areas of torn tissues. It is caused by constant sucking on a pacifier, bottle or breastfeeding.
Consequently, white patches can coat the tongue, inside tissues of cheeks and gums. If the yeast is left untreated, a nursing mother can develop thrush on her breast. The child may experience pain while feeding or using a pacifier. See your dentist who may prescribe a medication to clear up the infection.
Teething begins when your child is 4 to 7 months old which may include:
* Irritation
* Gumming
* Decrease in appetite
* Loss of appetite
* Excessive crying
* Rash appearance around the mouth
* Fever
The pain in teething can be reduced by using a clean warm towel to gently massage the gums. Before using any pain reducer or desensitizing gel, consult your dentist. By the age of 3, children have the complete set of 20 pearly whites. Regardless of the fact that your baby is on breast milk or infant formula, child's teeth should be cleansed several times during the day.
Preventions that can be taken to avoid early childhood decay are:
* Use pacifier rather than bottle during naps
* If you have to use bottle at the nap time, fill it with pure water
* Speak to your dentist for advice
Taking care of oral health of babies is really significant and it demands just a little attention from the parents. Simple precautions are to be followed to save your child from tooth decay and other oral problems.
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