Oral hygiene tips for infants, kids and parents

Oral hygiene for infants:

1. One must start cleaning the baby's mouth even without teeth, thus ensuring a great smile for a lifetime
2. Gently wipe the baby's gums with a clean moist cloth or gauze after his feed.
3. Wiping of gums helps to eliminate decay causing bacteria, thereby inculcating the habit of having his teeth brushed later on.
4. Slowly as the teeth are erupting, a finger brush or an infant tooth brush with soft rounded bristles that will not hurt his gums can be used to brush his teeth.

Importance of oral hygiene in kids:

1. Milk teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, hence more vulnerable to decay causing bacteria.
2. Progression of Decay in a milk tooth is swift and destructive- it quickly penetrates enamel, dentin and then infects the nerves­.
3. Early loss of milk teeth can cause permanent teeth to become crooked. Hence it's essential to maintain the integrity of milk teeth.
4. Pediatric dentistry can help in maintaining good oral health for kids, so never be late if there is something wrong.

General tips for parents:

1.       Serve as a good model by practicing good oral habits yourself.

2.       Schedule regular visit to dental clinic for family check up, periodontal evaluation and cleaning.

3.       First visit to a dentist can be scheduled after your child's first birthday or when the first tooth erupts.

4.       Very important to inculcate good oral hygiene early thus enabling children to last their teeth for a lifetime.

5.       Studies indicate that nearly all children and adolescents have gingivitis causing gums to smell, turn red and swell easily. This condition is preventable and treatable with regular routine brushing, flossing and professional dental care.

6.       Gingivitis can be symptomless and hence may go unnoticed until it is too late, so it is very important to schedule appointments for a dental check up.

What to do to maintain good oral health.

1) Gingivitis causes gum tissues to smell, turn red and swell easily but it is preventable and treatable with a regular routine of brushing, flossing and professional dental care.

2. Studies indicate that nearly all children and adolescents have gingivitis, which can go unnoticed because it may be symptomless. So it is very important to visit the dentist.

3. Serve as a good role model by practicing good oral habit yourself.

4. Genetics play an important role in the early development of gum diseases

5. According to research bacteria that cause inflammatory reaction leading to gum disease can be spread through saliva. So it could be contagious. Be cautious and get a complete dental check up done for the whole family as well.

6. By maintaining periodontal health, the life quantity of patients can be improved.

7. Tooth jewellery fixed by a dentist can provide the sparkle in one's smile. An absolutely painless procedure, without causing any sort of damage to the tooth structure.

8. Tooth jewellery can easily be removed by the dentist and re-fixed at a later as per the individual's choice.

9.  Mouth Guards can help prevent any damage to teeth while playing sports.