February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. The National Children’s Dental Health Month is a…
Your Toddler’s Oral Health
Many parents are under the impression that good oral health is not important during a child’s toddler years, as their baby teeth will eventually fall out anyway. Unfortunately, that is not the case, but the neglect of baby teeth isn’t the only mistake that parents make when it comes to the oral health of their toddlers. Consider employing the following tips to protect your baby’s teeth and gums.
1. Encourage Oral Care at an Early Age
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that your child should visit the dentist by his first birthday. In addition to detecting any potential problems, this preventative care can also save you money in the long run. It is also important to teach your child about good habits of brushing and flossing, and even before your child has teeth, brushing the gums using a baby toothbrush is a good idea.
2. Control Pacifier Use
While the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages pacifier usage to help with the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome, long-term usage may be hazardous when it comes to dental health. Lengthy pacifier use can affect your child’s bite and the shape of his mouth. Professionals believe that pacifier use should be discontinued by the age of two or three.
3. Don’t Overload Your Child with Sugary Beverages
Many parents believe that allowing their child to drink juice all day is a suitable beverage choice but, in fact, it can be hazardous to their dental health. By drinking sugary beverages from a sippy cup, decay can occur on the back of your child’s front teeth. In addition to tooth decay development, the consumption of juice has also been linked to obesity in children.
4. Be Cautious of Certain Medicines
Many drug companies work to make their medicines more appealing to children by making them sugary or flavored. However, if these medications stick to the teeth, the likelihood that he will experience tooth decay will increase. Certain asthma medications and antibiotics can also result in a yeast overgrowth, and this can lead to oral thrush, a fungal infection.
5. Avoid Naptime Bottles
Some parents insist that their child will not take a nap without a bottle full of milk, formula, or juice. Unfortunately, these sugary liquids will provide food for the bacteria that lives in your child’s mouth, and this can trigger decay. If your baby needs to have a bottle in order to go down for a nap, ensure that it contains only water.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, contact our office and set up a consultation.
Dr. Jordan Cooper is from Jacksonville, AR. His father is Dr. James Cooper, a Jonesboro, AR native and practicing dentist of 39 years and his mother, Tracy Cooper, is a dental hygienist from Little Rock. Dr. Cooper graduated high school from Central Arkansas Christian, after which he entered at the University of Arkansas as a Chancellor’s Scholar in 1998.
Dr. David Cole is a graduate from the University of Arkansas, receiving his degree in 2016, and is a huge Razorback fan! He then went to dental school at the University of Tennessee where he received his D.D.S. in 2021. He looks forward to getting to know the Central Arkansas area, and serving his community!
Dr. Rasmussen is a Hot Springs native who graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2017 (Go Bears). After receiving his D.D.S from The University of Tennessee in 2021, he is looking forward to serving the central Arkansas community and the wonderful people who live here.
Dr. James Cooper was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He studied at the University of New Mexico and graduated from dental school from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. After 2 years of dental experience with the Army, Dr. Cooper moved to Jacksonville in 1973 to practice dentistry.