Dental care for mother and baby

For extra data, go to children’s teeth.

What about my weight loss program throughout being pregnant?

When you’re pregnant you will need to have a wholesome, balanced diet that has all of the nutritional vitamins and minerals you and your child want.

It is advisable to have a very good weight loss program in order that your child’s enamel can develop. Calcium specifically is essential, to provide sturdy bones and wholesome enamel. Calcium is in milk, cheese and different dairy merchandise.

If in case you have morning illness you could wish to eat ‘little and sometimes’. In case you are typically sick, rinse your mouth afterwards with plain water to forestall the acid in your vomit attacking your enamel. Attempt to keep away from sugary and acidic meals and drinks between meals. This may shield your enamel in opposition to decay.

Is teething painful?

Most youngsters do endure some teething pains. Infants could have a excessive temperature when they’re teething and their cheeks could look pink and be heat to the contact.

There are particular teething gels that you need to use to assist cut back the ache. There are some that comprise a gentle analgesic (painkiller). You possibly can apply the gel utilizing your finger, and gently therapeutic massage it onto your child’s gums.

Teething rings may assist to assuage your child. Sure teething rings may be cooled within the fridge, which can assist. However, as teething pains can differ, it’s best to test along with your dental workforce or physician.

When ought to I take my child to the dentist for the primary time?

It’s best to debate this along with your dental workforce first, however you can take your child to your individual routine check-ups. This will help the child to get used to the environment. Your dental workforce will be capable of provide recommendation and prescribe medicines for teething pains, and can be comfortable to reply any questions you could have. The newborn’s personal check-ups can begin any time from about 6 months or from when the enamel begin to seem.

Does breast feeding have an effect on my child’s enamel?

Breast milk is the very best meals for infants, and it is strongly recommended that you just simply give your child breast milk throughout the first six months of its life.

At six months previous, infants can begin consuming some strong meals. It is best to nonetheless maintain breast feeding, or give breast milk substitutes (or each), after the primary six months.

There must be extra analysis to see whether or not, in some instances, the pure sugars in breast milk trigger tooth decay in infants. Nevertheless, it’s extensively accepted that breast milk is the very best meals on your child. In case you maintain your child’s enamel clear, tooth decay is unlikely to be an issue.

What about bottle feeding?

When feeding with a bottle, you will need to sterilise the bottle correctly. Some breast milk substitutes comprise sugar and it’s best to clear your child’s enamel after the final feed at night time. Attempt to depart an hour after the feed earlier than cleansing your child’s enamel.

By no means add sugar or put sugary drinks into the bottle. Milk and water are the very best drinks for enamel. Bottle feeding with drinks containing sugar can result in ‘bottle caries’ (tooth decay). A child will not be born with a candy tooth and can solely have a style for sugar whether it is given it at an early age. 

When ought to I cease bottle feeding?

Stopping bottle feeding early will help cease your child from growing dental issues. Attempt to get your child to drink milk or water kind a particular cup by the point they’re about six months previous, or when they’re able to sit up and may maintain issues on their very own. 

What strong meals are higher for my child?

Savoury meals akin to cheese, pasta and greens are higher than candy meals. Meals that does not comprise sugar is healthier on your child’s enamel. Ask your well being skilled for extra recommendation a couple of balanced weight loss program on your child.

In case your youngster has a drink between meals it is very important give them solely water or milk as a substitute of sugary or acidic drinks, which may trigger decay.

When ought to I begin cleansing my child’s enamel?

Infants are clearly not in a position to clear their very own enamel, and kids will need assistance to be sure that they clear them correctly till they’re about 7 years previous. As quickly as teething has began it’s best to begin cleansing your kid’s enamel.

How ought to I clear my child’s enamel?

As quickly as the primary child enamel begin to seem it’s best to begin to clear them.

At first you could discover it simpler to make use of a bit of unpolluted gauze or material wrapped round your forefinger. As extra enamel seem, you’ll need to make use of a child toothbrush.

Use a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste and gently therapeutic massage it across the enamel and gums.

It may be simpler to scrub their enamel in the event you cradle your child’s head in your arms in entrance of you.

Because the youngster will get older it might be tough to do it this manner, however you may progressively give extra duty for cleansing their enamel to the kid. It is very important clear enamel twice a day with a toothpaste that accommodates a minimum of 1000ppm (elements per million) of fluoride. After 3 years previous, use a toothpaste that accommodates 1350ppm to 1500ppm. It is best to be sure that they don’t rinse however spit out the toothpaste, and that they don’t swallow any if attainable.

Verify along with your dental workforce or physician if you’re not sure about the best way to take care of your child’s enamel.

What if my child sucks its thumb or wants a dummy?

In case you can, keep away from utilizing a dummy, soother or pacifier and discourage thumb sucking. These can each ultimately trigger issues with how the enamel develop and develop. And this will likely want therapy with a brace when the kid will get older.

In case your child wants a dummy, soother or pacifier, there are ‘orthodontic’ ones that cut back the chance of those issues. So in case your child does wish to use a dummy, ensure you select an orthodontic one.

By no means dip your child’s dummy, soother, pacifier or teething ring into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or something containing sugars, notably at bedtime. The dangerous sugars and acids can assault your child’s newly shaped enamel and trigger decay.

What if my child damages a tooth?

In case your youngster damages a tooth, contact your dental workforce immediately. A broken tooth will typically discolour over time.