Oral Care for Babies & Children
From baby bottle tooth decay, to flossing techniques, prevention strategies and regular dental appointments – you can count on Guildford Dental to guide you and your children each step of the way.
Caring for your child's oral health.
The dental term 'caries control' refers to the treatment and prevention of dental decay, or cavities. In babies and children, controlling decay is a crucial element to their overall dental health. That's why caries control is often our focus for our younger patients.
How does Guildford Dental help prevent dental problems in children?
We believe that good, lifelong oral health starts in childhood! Regular professional cleanings and check-ups are crucial to maintain excellent dental health as children grow.
Guildford Dental provides a variety of services to support your children's dental health. These include:
- Regular checkups & cleanings
- Fluoride treatments
- Specialized advice for children's dental hygiene routines
These elements all contribute to the dental health of our youngest patients as they grow up.
Oral Hygiene & Care for Young Children
The moment your child's teeth begin to erupt, they are susceptible to tooth decay. Babies' teeth need to be cleaned twice a day, just like adults' teeth, to prevent dental decay.
Regular cleaning helps remove bacteria and prevents sugar from being trapped in the tooth and gum area. If your baby doesn't have teeth yet, you can use a clean, damp cloth to wipe their gums after feeding, to get an early start.
If you child is thirsty between meals or at night, water is the best choice. If your baby prefers to sleep with a bottle, try water instead of milk or juice. This will help minimize the exposure to decay-producing acids.
Brushing
Once your child's baby teeth start to come in, it's important to start cleaning them right away.
Apply a small dab of child-friendly toothpaste to an ultra-soft toothbrush, and brush your child's teeth and gums gently.
Once your child can spit out all of the toothpaste after brushing, you can switch to fluoridated toothpaste.
Flossing
When all the baby teeth have erupted, you can begin flossing your child's teeth. Be sure to ask our staff about our special flossers for kids!
How often should children visit the dentist?
Children should have a professional check-up and cleaning every six months at least. Every patient is different, and certain children may require more frequent check-ups or cleanings.