Basic Kids Dental Care

Baby teeth are important to a child, even though they will fall out. They are the place-markers for their adult teeth, they help develop their speech, and they help develop good eating habits. At Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, we want our patients to take good care of their teeth from a young age. Keep reading to learn about basic kids’ dental care.

Basic Care

Kids should start seeing the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears, or by the age of one if they have not grown in their first tooth by then. Baby teeth should be brushed with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teeth need to be flossed as soon as two teeth touch each other. Kids will need help with flossing until they are old enough to do it on their own.

Bad Habits

Some kids always like to have something to drink. When they are little, they may like to carry sippy cups or bottles around. Instead of always having their cup filled with milk or juice, put water in there. Milk and juice both contain a lot of sugar, so a constant supply can lead to tooth decay. Pacifiers and thumb sucking are two more habits that should be broken. The constant sucking motion can affect the way teeth develop.

Good at-home care and routine dental visits are important parts of your child’s health. To schedule your family’s next dental visit at Pellegrino Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in Allentown, PA, call us at (610) 530-7901. To learn more about us, visit our website, www.allentowndentist.com.