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Child Dental Health

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Amandeep Kaur, BDS, MDS on Sep 19, 2023


Child Dental Health

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, are common problems among children.


Tooth decay also known as a cavity or dental caries is a common dental problem among children worldwide. Tooth decay occurs when the acid formed by bacteria in the mouth causes the erosion of tooth enamel. Tooth decay occurs when the acid formed by bacteria in the mouth causes the erosion of tooth enamel.

Dental Care for Babies

Dental care for babies is of utmost importance as it influences their oral health for life. Though babies do not have teeth when they are born, there is a complete set of 20 baby teeth hidden inside their gums waiting to erupt. 10 teeth in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw.

Many parents do not give much attention to their child's milk teeth as they will be replaced by permanent teeth in the long haul.

However, this should not be the case, as milk teeth preserve space for the eruption of permanent teeth. If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, it can lead to gum disease called gingivitis and tooth decay which will ultimately affect the space required for eruption of permanent teeth.

Dental care for baby teeth should begin well before the first tooth erupts in the mouth. The baby's gums should be cleaned regularly. You can use a warm and wet washcloth or a piece of wet gauze wrapped around your finger and wipe gently. Follow this once a day when your baby's last feed for the day is over.

Baby teeth are prone to dental caries as soon as they erupt; so when your baby's first tooth erupts around 6-10 months, gently brush with water twice a day. For this we can use a soft infant toothbrush meant for children less than two years of age and. This should be done mainly after the first and last feedings.

You can also maintain good oral hygiene and prevent baby tooth decay by avoiding giving your baby a bottle as a pacifier or having it in bed during the night. Also, bottle-feeding in bed can cause danger of choking, as babies who sleep while bottle-feeding risk taking liquid into their lungs.

If your baby uses a pacifier, do not dip it in sweet liquids like honey to prevent cavities.

Dental Care for Toddlers

Dental care should be a part of a toddler's daily routine. Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday and regularly after that. Early visits to the dentist can help in identification of dental problems in the initial stages and also reduce the fear of dentist when the child grows older. It is recommended to take your child to a pedodontist who specializes in treating children's dental health. Below are few tips you can follow for your child's good dental health:


Dental Care for Preschoolers

Below mentioned are a few dental care habits for pre-school children, to maintain a good oral hygiene

Dental Care for School-going Children

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for your child's overall health; therefore, it is important for school-going children to follow certain dental practices, such as:


Tips to Reduce Incidence of Caries

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