There is a lot that goes into caring for a child’s teeth, even when it comes to their first set of teeth known as primary, or baby teeth. As with most things in life, it is always easier to do a bit everyday to prevent the problem rather than waiting until it becomes a full blown issue and you have to take care of all the neglect at once. One important reason to care for your child’s dental health is the period between their having all of their baby teeth and adult teeth, known as the mixed-dentation period.
Why Mixed Dentation Care Is Important
During the mixed dentation period, damage and decay can affect a child’s baby teeth and permanent teeth alike. While their baby teeth might not be around much longer, baby tooth decay should be avoided for several reasons including embarrassment, pain, and difficulty eating/drinking. Damage to even a few of their permanent teeth, on the other hand, can lead to much larger problems down the line. This is a reason to follow the best practices outlined by your dentist and outlined below.
1. Brush and Floss Consistently
One of the worst offenders to dental health at any age is not brushing or flossing at all, as stray food can lead to a harbor for bacteria to do more damage to your child’s teeth. It is recommended that children floss once a day, and an easy way to establish this is to just make it a habit before bedtime. Some people floss after every meal, and others floss several times a week. The easiest way to make it a habit, however, is to do it everyday.
2. Limit Mouthwash
While this does not relate to tooth decay inherently, children should limit alcohol mouthwash use to once a week to avoid staining their new permanent teeth. They can use alcohol-free scent mouthwashes for more daily use if needed to combat halitosis.
3. Use Spacers When Necessary
When a baby tooth falls out and a permanent one does not immediately grow in, a space container may be required to make sure that the teeth do not get pushed together. If this does happen, then you may need to get braces for your child later down the line. You can help avoid this costly procedure by taking your child to the dentist right away if you notice a delay between their baby teeth falling out and the permanent ones coming in.
4. Encourage a Healthy Mouth Biome
During the mixed-dentation period, it’s also important to remember that mouth biomes are complex and can be affected by a number of things including diet and care. At night when your child is asleep, sleeping on their back with their mouth open can cause their mouth to dry out and hurt the mouth biome. To combat this, it is recommended that you use a specific brand of toothpaste and mouthwash that encourages healthy dental biomes. As well, probiotic foods in general can encourage a healthy mouth biome.
Key Takeaways
At Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S., we specialize in providing exceptional child dental care in San Marcos. Our dedicated team of dental professionals understands the unique needs and challenges that come with mixed dentation, and we are here to help your child maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
At our dentist office in San Marcos TX, we prioritize delivering gentle and personalized dental care to our young patients. We believe that establishing positive dental experiences early on is crucial for their overall oral health and well-being. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced technology, allowing us to provide accurate diagnoses and effective treatments in a comfortable environment.
Give your child the gift of optimal oral health by contacting Larry D. Molenda, D.D.S. We look forward to being your trusted partner in ensuring your child’s dental health journey is a memorable and positive one.
Tags: child development